Sue Hardman

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How & Why I Use Essential Oils

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Why I Use Essential Oil Daily

Essential oils are one of the hottest natural products out there right now and that’s because they’re a wonderful natural tool to have in your medicine chest, along with a high quality diet, exercise and stress management.

We’ve been using essential oils in our home for several years, If you don’t know know how to use essential oils, don’t feel overwhelmed or intimidated by how to get started with essential oils. It’s really easy and a lot of fun!

The potency of essential oils? 

Did you know that one drop of peppermint oil is the equivalent of 28 glasses of peppermint tea!

You might be inclined to think that more is better, this is definitely not the case when it comes to essential oils – start small and then add more if needed.

There are many essential oils I use in my home all the time and so as not to overwhelm you, I’ll be sharing the oils one by one and on my blog.

HERE ARE MY TOP 3 ESSENTIAL OILS

Lavender – This is an oil that I use daily, especially to help with a restful sleep. You can spray it in your room or add a drop to your pillow. I also like to diffuse it in my bedroom. I’ve used it for my son when he is anxious and most nights I spray his room with lavender. 

This was the first indication that I was going to love essential oils when I heard this story- “In 1910 French chemist and scholar René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the virtues of the essential oil of lavender. Gattefossé badly burned his hand during an experiment in a perfumery plant and plunged his hand into the nearest tub of liquid, which just happened to be lavender essential oil. He was later amazed at how quickly his burn healed and with very little scarring. This started a fascination with essential oils and inspired him to experiment with them during the First World War on soldiers in the military hospitals.”  I was sold and ever since then I’v always had lavender in my home.

Lavender has been used and cherished for centuries, the Egyptians and Romans used Lavender for bathing, relaxation, cooking, and as a perfume.

Its calming and relaxing qualities, when taken internally, continue to be Lavender’s most notable attributes.

Applied topically, Lavender is frequently used to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.

Add to bath water to soak away stress or apply to the temples and the back of the neck. Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet to relax and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.

Due to Lavender’s versatile properties, it is considered the must-have oil to have on hand at all times.

Uses

  • Soothes occasional skin irritations
  • Taken internally, Lavender reduces anxious feelings and promotes peaceful sleep. This must be be certified
  • Helps ease feelings of tension.
  • Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet at bedtime.
  • Freshen your linen closet
  • Use in cooking to soften citrus flavors and add a flavorful twist to marinades, baked goods, and desserts. Add to a glass of water.

Frankincense

This is one of my favourite essential oils to use in my moisturising facial oil it helps hydrate and rejuvenate your skin. Add a drop or 2 to your face cream for smooth skin (amazing for fine lines). Rub over your forehead and back of neck for calming, on soles of feet for relaxing.

It’s also a maximiser – that means that when applied under any other oil it maximises their benefit. It supports healthy cellular function (it is one of the most prized oils).

Add Frankincense to your daily facial cleanser to help revitalise and beautify your skin or apply Frankincense and Fractionated Coconut Oil to freshly-shaven skin to reduce any possible skin irritation caused by the razor on your face or your legs.

Frankincense promotes feelings of peace and overall wellness when used aromatically,

Description

Renowned as one of the most prized and precious essential oils, Frankincense has extraordinary health benefits.

In addition to its notoriety in the New Testament, the Babylonians and Assyrians would burn Frankincense in religious ceremonies and the ancient Egyptians used Frankincense resin for everything from perfume to salves for soothing skin.

This centuries-old knowledge contributes to the modern uses of Frankincense today. It’s soothing and beautifying properties are used to rejuvenate skin and help reduce the appearance of imperfections when applied topically.

As the king of oils, Frankincense is known to support healthy cellular function when used internally*.

When inhaled or diffused, Frankincense promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction, and overall wellness.

Uses
  • Apply topically to help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.
  • Can be applied to the bottoms of feet to promote feelings of relaxation and to balance mood.
  • Take one to two drops in a veggie capsule to support healthy cellular function.*
  • Ingest to support healthy cellular function*
  • Aroma promotes feelings of relaxation
  • Helps reduce the appearance of skin imperfections when applied topically
  • Supports healthy immune, nervous, and digestive function when taken internally*

Lemon Oil 

For ease of use this oil is fantastic, I add a drop of the fresh, zingy lemon oil to my bottle of water. So easy. A drop in my water first thing in the morning to kick start my digestion and support my liver and to detox.

I also add this to my home cleaning  products – has a fabulous fresh smell. No wonder most of the store bought products have lemon fragrance (artificial at best)

Lemon is great for sticky spots and residue and giving your stainless steel a sparkle after rubbing a drop of lemon on it.

Description

Lemon has multiple benefits and uses. It’s a powerful cleaning agent that purifies the air and surfaces.

When added to water, Lemon provides a refreshing and healthy boost throughout the day. Lemon is frequently added to food to enhance the flavor of desserts and main dishes. Taken internally, Lemon provides cleansing and digestive benefits and supports healthy respiratory function.

When diffused, Lemon is very uplifting and energizing and has been shown to help improve mood.

Uses
  • Add Lemon oil to a spray bottle of water to clean tables, countertops, and other surfaces. Lemon oil also makes a great furniture polish; simply add a few drops to olive oil to clean, protect, and shine wood finishes.
  • Use a cloth soaked in Lemon oil to preserve and protect your leather furniture and other leather surfaces or garments.
  • Lemon oil is a great remedy for the early stages of tarnish on silver and other metals.
  • Diffuse to create an uplifting environment.
Primary Benefits
  • Cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces
  • Naturally cleanses the body and aids in digestion*
  • Supports healthy respiratory function*
  • Promotes a positive mood

HOW TO MAKE ESSENTIAL OILS PART OF YOUR DAY

Below are a few ways in which you can start using essential oils, and you’ll be surprised in how many areas of your life you are able to use youressential oils:

  1. Apply to the skin
  2. Simply inhale
  3. Steam inhalation
  4. Use an essential oil diffuser
  5. Use in a bath
  6. Aromatherapy massage
  7. Internal use (this is totally dependant on the quality of oil and is oil specific)

As Western holistic care and naturopathic remedies continue to provide alternative solutions for people desiring to take charge of their own health care, it is important to have a firm understanding of essential oils.These oils are a popular alternative for those desiring more natural remedies to energy, immunity, mood, aches/pains, breathing issues, hormone balancing, beauty, anxiety, sleep, allergies.

Essential oils can be an amazing health care solutions for many people, it is important to know what you’re doing before you start using them.

So, are you ready to harness the power of the world’s most proven therapeutic compounds? Are you ready to learn which oils to use in your essential oil diffuser or in other ways?

Explore the many essential oils benefits and uses, and open your mind to a whole new way of preventing and reversing health conditions that you’ve been battling for years. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

Your Beauty Products & Your Hormones

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Cleaning  Up Your Beauty Regime

I’m  pretty  choosy about my personal care products.


When I first learned about what was lurking in my products there wasn’t a whole lot of choice out there.

Fortunately, it’s becoming easier and easier to find products free of the ‘nasties’ that can contribute to many health issues.  

I sometimes make my own – I especially like make nourishing facial oils. 

Over the last few years there’s been an explosion in this space as more and more companies are creating cleaner lines in response to a growing interest in wellness and a greater scrutiny of questionable ingredients. 

 

Why skincare? 

Because our skin is our largest organ, and is also one of our 6 organs of detoxification. 

And because  sooooo … many of the chemicals that are used in products intended for the skin (think: lotions, shower products, make up, etc.) are made with chemicals that can negatively affect our health. 

 Do you know why the things that we put on our skin matters so much? I wanted to be sure that you have the knowledge to make healthier choices when you next choose what personal care products you’re going to buy. 

We’re often more concerned with what we put IN our body, than what we put ON our body but this month I wanted to talk about what you put on your skin whether it’s – shampoo, moisturiser,  deodorant or makeup.

Why,  you may ask?  

Many ingredients are known to be hormone disruptors and carcinogens. While manufacturers  may claim these ingredients are safe in small amounts.  The concern is that you’re exposed to so many toxins in our environment, we have no idea on the accumulative effect, so why add more fuel to the fire. 

Many of the ingredients in skin care products penetrate your skin and end up in your bloodstream.  

The EU has banned over 1000 cosmetic ingredients, but the FDA says safety for personal care products is the responsibility of the manufacturer. That’s not reassuring… So, it’s really up to you, the consumer, to become proactive. 

The average person is exposed to 126 unique chemicals in their personal care products alone, every day (US data). Now consider that your skin is your body’s largest organ, and is permeable to many synthetic chemicals that we come in contact with daily.  And studies have shown many of these chemicals do not break down, but simply accumulate in your body. 

And that makes sense since it’s very literally, and obviously going inside us and working its way through our body.  

When we consume things orally they enter our digestive tract, where they get absorbed, and then work their way over to the liver through the hepatic portal vein.  

Our liver is the workhorse of the metabolic process. This special organ is unique in that it has two separate blood supplies. One of these creates a closed loop; things enter the bloodstream, pass through the heart and make their way to the liver to be metabolised or broken down.  

After those things, harmful or otherwise, are filtered out and metabolised through the liver, the blood returns to circulation, and makes it’s way back to the heart, and the cycle continues.  

The second blood supply comes directly from the  digestive system.  

Things that we ingest hit the liver and get metabolised  before  making their way into the blood supply, which is a good thing.  

This is called First Pass Metabolism and it simply means that the liver gets a chance to metabolise the chemical, compound, nutrient, whatever it is, first.  

So what does this have to do with skin? 

Chemicals, compounds, etc, that enter the body through  absorption from the skin, and through inhalation actually  bypass this First Pass Metabolism. 

They move through the bloodstream before eventually making their way to the liver to be metabolised.  

So, even though the amount of chemicals we absorb can be significantly less than those we ingest, the fact that they bypass that initial metabolism can mean that those exposures can be more detrimental.  

This is why our skin care matters!  

While first pass metabolism might be technical, explaining this concept can help you see why shifting to safer skin care is so important.  

People are often feel conflicted about whether they should use up what they have, or toss everything and buy all new stuff.  

I say take it one step at a time! When something runs out, replace with a better, safer version.  

Skincare products (makeup, deodorant, cleansers, body wash and shampoos) are often full of chemicals, some which come with a known health risk.  

Parabens, for example, you may have noticed have been phased out of skin care products lately, with your favourite products now boasting they are “Now Paraben Free” – meaning that a lot of them, once upon a time, did include parabens.  

Parabens have been phased out  because they’ve been found to mimic oestrogen and are of concern for the formation of oestrogenic cancers, such as breast cancer. 

 

Because skincare is applied directly to the skin, a lot of it is absorbed into your bloodstream, so all of those unknown chemicals have a direct pathway to your liver.  

So, how do you reduce your toxin load and protect your skin from damage?

  • Firstly, I’d advise you to use things up before you buy a new product – no need to be wasteful.  
  • Educate yourself. Find out what chemicals you should be avoiding and why and it’ll make it easier for you to avoid them. 
  • Look up recipes to make your own products and give them a go! There are natural shampoo and conditioner solutions, cleansers, masks and even toothpaste you can try if you are keen.  
  • Choose products that have less chemicals it might take a bit of trial and error but it will be worth it in the long run. Your worth it (who says that again!!);  

Download the complete free guide “A Naturopath’s Clean Beauty Check List – 10 Ingredients To Avoid”  so that you can start to clean up your beauty for long term health.

 

A Naturopath’s Clean Beauty Guide

Oestrogen Dominance – 9 ways to reduce it

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oestrogen dominance Are Your Oestrogen Levels In The Right Balance? 

Hormones are the chemical messengers that control major body functions. Any imbalance can wreak havoc on your health. Some of the most important hormones for us to understand and keep in a healthy balance are our sex hormones.

Each hormone needs to be in the right balance for you. In 30’s your hormones will have different levels to when you’re 50.

As you enter perimenopause (usually after 40) through to the age of 50, there is an approximate 35% drop in oestrogen, and approx. 75% reduction in progesterone occurring simultaneously. This is considered normal, however because oestrogen and progesterone are so dependent on each other, the dramatic decrease in progesterone production leaves many women with symptoms of oestrogen dominance, even if oestrogen levels are lower than before.

Oestrogen is a fabulous hormone:
– it gives you hips, breasts, and thighs.
– It builds up the endometrial tissue in your uterus during your cycle ( important when having a baby).
– It protects your brain, heart, and bones

There’s more than one oestrogen, be sure to have the good one!

Oestrogen is not a single hormone but a group of hormones that are present in both men and women. They’re produced by adrenal glands, fat tissue, the ovaries and the testis.

The term “Oestrogen” is an umbrella term for three hormones – estradiol, estriol and estrone.

Estradiol is the most commonly measured type of oestrogen for non-pregnant women. Estradiol varies throughout the menstrual cycle. After menopause, estradiol production typically drops to a very low but constant level.

Estriol levels usually are only measured during pregnancy. And Estrone may be measured in women who have gone through menopause to determine their oestrogen levels.

Excess estradiol can be dangerous. Many diseases, including cancers and fibroids, are associated with too high estradiol levels.

To complicate matters, when oestrogen is broken down into metabolites in the liver, “good” or “bad” metabolites and they can either help or harm your health and wellbeing.

Oestrogen breaks down into 3 different type of metabolites. They are:

  • 2-Hydroxyestrone (or 2-OH for short)
  • 4-Hydroxyestrone (or 16-OH for short)
  • 16-Hydroxyestrone (or 16-OH for short)

2-OH is beneficial. You need to make at least 70% of this.

4-OH is mostly not beneficial. You want to make 10% or less of this.

16-OH is mostly not beneficial. You want to make no more than 20% of this.

Women who metabolise a larger proportion of their oestrogen via the 16-OH pathway may be at a significantly elevated risk of breast cancer compared with women who metabolise proportionally more oestrogen via the 2-OH pathway.

The “good” metabolites are known to have high antioxidant activity, which provides protection for the brain and heart.

The “bad” metabolites have been tied to cancer and weight gain.

It would make sense that you would want to do what you can to increase the good metabolites and decrease the bad metabolites, increasing the 2-OHE:16-OHE ratio. It is believed that by doing so we decrease the risk for a number of oestrogen-responsive cancers.

So what happens if your body is producing too much or too little oestrogen?

When women experience insufficient oestrogen, they can experience symptoms – including trouble sleeping, headaches, decreased labido, irregular periods, mood swings and hot flashes.

You want oestrogen sticking around, but you also want it to stay in check. When it starts running the show and knocks other hormones like progesterone out of whack, oestrogen imbalance occurs.

Whether it’s extra inches (especially) around the middle, ongoing fatigue, skin issues, trouble sleeping, PMS, PCOS, fibroids or fertility issues you may have a hormone imbalance.

Hormones can effect your size and shape and may be the reason you’ve struggled with losing weight and keeping those extra inches off. Too much fat below the belly button, hips and buttocks may indicate you have a hormone imbalance, in particular oestrogen dominance.

As oestrogen levels rise, controlling your weight becomes really difficult, because fat cells also produce oestrogen. So the more fat cells, the more oestrogen is released into your body, and the more your fat cells grow.

The following symptoms are common among those with oestrogen dominance. What begins with mild symptoms in younger years often becomes moderate in the mid to late 30s, and severe by the time a person reaches their mid-40s.

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, you may be experiencing some level of oestrogen dominance. You’ll be in a far better place if you address your hormone imbalances when they are still mild, it will also mean you’ll have an easier transition to the menopause.

MILD MODERATE SEVERE
Premenstrual breast tenderness Irregular menstruation Uterine fibroid tumors
Premenstrual mood swings Weight gain Endometriosis
Premenstrual fluid retention, weight gain Hair loss Fibrocystic breasts
Premenstrual headaches Depression Polycystic ovary syndrome
Menstrual cramps Fatigue Breast tumors
Thyroid dysfunction Infertility
Adrenal gland fatigue Thickened uterine lining
Headaches, migraines Accelerated ageing
Severe menstrual cramps Miscarriage
Heavy periods with clotting Anxiety and panic attacks
Joint and muscle pain Autoimmune disorders
Decreased libido Impotency
Insomnia and restless sleep Oestrogen related cancer
Dry eyes
Lowered libido
Prostate problems

What can cause oestrogen excess?

Oestrogen is a vital hormone for many functions in your body, but if it’s not in it’s natural form or at the right level for you then it will interfere with your hormonal activity.

According to the work of Dr. John Lee, the balance of your body’s natural hormones are disrupted because we are living in a ‘sea of oestrogens’ as a result of:-

  • Eating non-organic animal foods with high levels of hormones i.e meat, diary, chicken.
  • Increased synthetic oestrogens found in things like plastics (BPA), medications, synthetic hormones (the pill and HRT) and chemicals from beauty products and chemicals in your environment.
  • Pesticides that mimic oestrogen in your body and send messages to the hypothalamus that it needs to keep producing more and more oestrogens.

Dr. John R. Lee coined the term ‘oestrogen dominance’ to describe what occurs when a woman has deficient, normal, or excessive oestrogen but little or no progesterone to balance oestrogen’s effects.

excess weight - a hormone problemEven low oestrogen levels can create oestrogen dominance symptoms if you’re also low in progesterone. In my practice, I’ve found that these factors can create oestrogen imbalance:

  • Being overweight or obese (fat cells produce excess oestrogen)
  • Being overly stressed (adrenal hormones are overly stimulated)
  • Poor diet choices
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Gut conditions i.e. constipation and dysbiosis
  • Environmental toxins

Chemicals—called xenoestrogens— can set the stage for oestrogen dominance. One study found that mineral water with xenoestrogens leached from plastic packaging material could create oestrogenic activity, and sadly, these chemicals are all over the place in our modern world.

That being said, oestrogen dominance doesn’t occur in a vacuum. often when oestrogen gets out of balance, other hormones like insulin and cortisol can quickly follow. 

9 ways to take charge of your oestrogen levels so that you can have your best life: 

There are some simple changes you can make to your diet and lifestyle that may be just what the Doc ordered.

  1. Get more fibre – Plenty of complex carbohydrates and fibre from beans, lentils, wholegrains, vegetables and fruit. Fibre helps your body eliminate excess oestrogens. That’s why the saying ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’, is still so relevant to you today.Eat moderate amounts of protein – legumes, fish, eggs & chicken. Good fats such as nuts, seeds, oily fish and cold pressed vegetable oils. Eating enough fats and protein are key to ensuring the correct hormone levels in our body.
  2. Help your body detoxify daily by supporting your liver. Among its copious nutrients, studies show indole-3-carbinol (I3C)—prevalent in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables—prevents the development of oestrogen-enhanced breast, endometrial, cervical, and other cancers.Eat ‘a cup a day’ of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts and kale ) to help your liver produce enzymes and provide sulphur needed for the liver’s detoxification processes and help you liver remove the bad oestrogens and keep the good ones.Milk thistle is also an excellent herb for the liver as it not only supports detoxification but it also repairs liver cells.Liver-healing strategies include eating quality protein, garlic and onions, taking a B vitamin. 
  3. Heal your gut. Once the liver processes oestrogen for elimination, your gut moves it out. Gut issues mean oestrogen probably isn’t making its way out efficiently and instead could be recirculating in your body. As you can see, identifying and treating underlying causes of your digestive issues becomes crucial to balancing hormones.
  4. Do some exercise. Moderate to high intensity exercise helps your body maintain normal levels of oestrogen – according to research. Do a mixture of exercise, including aerobic and try increasing your muscle mass by doing strength building exercise.
  5. Avoid the following as best you can.
    Alcohol – it impairs the optimum functioning of your liver by making it difficult to metabolise and remove excess hormones.
    Pesticides – Wash if You Can or Go Organic. There are a variety of chemicals and pesticides found in your food or drink that exert oestrogen like activity when absorbed into the body. These are found on non-organic fruits and vegetables as well as animal products.
    Plastics – these are also similar in structure to oestrogen and confuse the body’s hormone balance because they mimic the body’s own oestrogen. Use BPA-free plastic, glass or metal containers for water.
  6. Reduce the following.
    Body fat because it stores chemicals, if you carry excess fat around the middle you will tend to have higher oestrogen levels.Chronic stress – any form of stress (nutritional, physical, chemical, mental, environmental) can increase your cortisol levels and disrupt hormonal balance. Cortisol becomes the predominant hormone and starts to reduce other hormones like progesterone and thereby increasing oestrogen levels. If yoga or meditation aren’t your thing, even five minutes of deep breathing or laughing with your best friend can help lower cortisol and reset estrogen levels.
  7. Supplement smartly. A functional practitioner can help you design an oestrogen-balancing supplement protocol.Optimal vitamin D is also crucial, as studies show sufficient vitamin D levels can inhi
    bit breast cancer cell growth. Ask your doctor or health care practitioner for a 25(OH)D test.
  8. Get tested. Lab testing can reveal whether and why you have oestrogen dominance. I like the DUTCH test which stands for “dried urine total complete hormones” and this has more benefits than other testing methods.

    The biggest and brightest names in health are reccomending the DUTCH test….Dr Mercola and Chris Kresser are all loving this test. If you would like to own your hormones, it starts with knowledge and I can help you.

  9. Sleep becomes mandatory to balance your hormones. If you have trouble drifting into eight hours of solid sleep nightly, try a relaxing tea, a warm bath.

The great news is that you CAN shift your hormones back into balance by following these steps, and reduce not only the inches but also the detrimental effect of excess oestrogen.

 

To find out more about how you can have optimum wellness as you enter your 40’s and feel radiant have vitality, and energy to do all that you want to have radiant skin, calm any digestive issues, cope better with stress, anxiety and have much higher long-lasting energy levels.

 

Schedule Appointment

 

5 Foods that will boost Your Energy Levels and Help You Lose Weight Naturally. 

GET YOUR FREE GUIDE HERE

You may  be struggling with low energy or wanting to lose your excess weight, you might have  tried a number of diets and strategies that haven’t worked for you.

I know how frustrating this can be, and how confusing it is to try to make sense of all the conflicting nutritional information out there.

I put this guide together so you can start to learn how and why specific foods, and drinks, can help you have more energy and lose weight naturally. The information I’m sharing is not about the latest fad diet; it’s about adding in nutrient-dense foods that have been proven to both aid in weight loss and improve overall health at the same time.

While some of this may be new to you, with a little bit of practice you will find it is easy to add these ingredients into your diet on a daily basis. In fact, at the end, I’m going to share one simple recipe you can make in under five minutes that incorporates all of these foods. How’s that for healthy eating on the go?

I’m excited to share this information with you, so let’s dig in!

GET YOUR FREE GUIDE HERE

 

Gluten Could It Be Affecting Your Health

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symptoms of gluten sensitivity Is the Gluten Free Diet Just a Fad?

What is Gluten?

It’s a sticky protein found in rye, barley, and wheat kernels. Gluten (from Latin, “glue”) is a protein and it gives bread its airy and fluffy texture and dough its sticky texture. It’s used as a stabilising agent in many processed foods, such as salad dressings, soy sauce and mayonnaise. It’s in almost everything from beauty products to packaged foods to medications and supplements.

The prevalence of wheat products, especially processed and refined varieties, have led to a greater percentage of the population developing an intolerance or an allergy to gluten.

We’re no longer eating the wheat that our parents ate. In order to have hardier wheat that can survive drought, insects and grow faster, the wheat has been hybridised.

It’s estimated that 5 percent of the proteins found in hybridised wheat are new proteins that were not found in the original wheat plants. These “new proteins” are part of the problem that has lead to increased systemic inflammation, widespread gluten intolerance and higher rates of celiac.

In our modern world with the convenience of bread and fast food, we’re eating much more wheat than our ancestors ever did.

Why Would You Avoid It?

There are many reasons, for those with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder it affects the small intestine lining and can lead to severe malnutrition and digestive problems, consuming too much gluten can damage or irritate their bowels. People diagnosed with celiac disease must be very careful to limit or completely remove gluten from their diets.

Gluten intolerance is now 30 times more prevalent than celiac disease and affects 1 in 7 people, who tested negative for celiac disease.

People of European are more likely to have gluten intolerance or celiac disease in their families.

How does gluten affect your gut and cause intestinal permeability or leaky gut?

Regulating your intestinal permeability is one of the basic functions of the cells that line your intestinal wall. In people sensitive to gluten it can cause the gut cells to release zonulin, a protein that can break apart the tight junctions holding your intestines together.

When your meal reaches your gut, an enzyme (tTG) is produced in your intestinal wall that breaks down the gluten into its protein building blocks, gliadin and glutenin.

As these proteins make their way through your gut, the immune system in your gut, reviews them for potentially harmful substances. In people who have no issues with gluten, the proteins are absorbed.

In those with gluten sensitivity, the gut identifies gliadin as a dangerous substance and produces antibodies to attack it. In celiacs, these antibodies don’t just attack the gliadin, they attack the enzyme (tTG)  as well, which is what originally broke down the gluten into its two parts.

Once these tight junctions in the digestive system get broken apart, it becomes a leaky gut. This then allows toxins, microbes, undigested food particles and antibodies to escape from your intestines and travel throughout your body via your bloodstream. The antibodies that escape are the ones that your body produced to attack the gliadin in the first place.

It’s these antibodies that can end up attacking other organs and systems, from the skin to the thyroid to the brain. This is why gluten intolerance is now being linked to autoimmune conditions and why those with celiac disease are at risk of developing a second autoimmune disease.

Symptoms of gluten intolerance include:-

  • Low immunity – Consistently runny nose and sneezing
  • Skin – eczema, acne, psoriasis, hives
  • Digestive disorders – IBS symptoms diarrhoea, abdominal bloating, sluggish bowel movements
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty losing weight or unexplained weightloss
  • Joint pain
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Hormonal imbalance – irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain or loss, hot flashes, low energy levels, erratic sleep
  • Anxiety, low mood and depression
  • ADHD
  • Brain fog
  • Autoimmune disease – Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vitiligo, Type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s dx, Multiple Sclerosis

If you’re already experiencing these types of symptoms, first consult a health professional rather than diagnosing yourself.

The bottom line is that gluten sensitivity can affect processes in the body beyond the digestive tract, wrecking havoc on your skin (our largest organ!), joints, bones, mouth, endocrine system and more.

Your myriad of symptoms that don’t make sense to the doctor may mean that they’ve no clue that you’re reporting back to them the signs of gluten sensitivity.

There are long standing beliefs that consuming gluten can also aggravate some existing autoimmune system diseases that you may already be experiencing. This includes multiple sclerosis, eczema, Crohn’s disease, and a lot more.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that consuming gluten is the root cause of the disease: rather, it exacerbates these existing conditions, contributing to flare-ups.

There is also evidence that consuming gluten can add to overall body inflammation that leads to other side effects, such as joint pain, depression, and fatigue.

Thyroid – Hashimoto’s & Graves Disease

There’s just no question that many people that have Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism have gluten sensitivity. For some patients, it’s life-changing when they go gluten-free.”  Dr. Datis Kharraziac.

The health of someone with non-celiac gluten sensitivity can improve significantly when it is eliminated; for example a woman who struggled in vain for nearly a decade to lose weight, lost 40 pounds easily when she cut gluten from her diet. This of course does not mean that if you give up gluten you’ll automatically lose weight.

So, What Does it Really Mean to be Gluten Free?

Being gluten free means eliminating gluten foods or products from your diet. Following any type of diet is challenging but adhering to this diet can be even more difficult. But with patience, time, and some creativity, you can find ways to effectively substitute gluten free products and still enjoy the taste of your food.

Being Gluten Free Is Not Just About Giving Up Pasta and Bread

Experts also recommend paying close attention to your fiber intake; a diet loaded with vegetables, fruits, quinoa, and many other non-gluten grains should do the trick. Individuals are also advised to take multivitamins to ensure that they are getting sufficient vitamin D.

These days, more and more food manufacturers are providing gluten-free alternatives of their products, from bagels up to pasta. However, the prevalence has led to a lot of misconceptions. The term “gluten free” is widely linked with being healthy, but often in the sense of a dieting fad. Not everyone stops to think about what gluten free really means and why individuals should or should not eat certain foods.

Many foods are naturally gluten-free, such as nuts, vegetables, fruits, fresh meats, and some dairy products. To be gluten free means avoiding bread, desserts, pasta, cereal, beer, and many other foods on an extensive list.

Can Anyone Really Go Gluten-Free? 

There is really no serious danger in eliminating gluten. However, if you are eliminating a particular ingredient, take some precaution and be careful in replacing this ingredient. Experts recommend sticking to foods that are naturally gluten-free like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and dairy. However, double check labels for sugar and sodium content.

Do You Need to Give Up Eating Cereal, Bread, and Pasta?

Definitely not! Fortunately, there is a wide range of products available these days that are good and delicious substitutes for gluten-based products. Although these products were once only found in specialty health food stores, most of these products have now gone mainstreams and can be found in most grocery stores. Although these products may differ in texture, taste, and consistency, you will no doubt be able to find some that suit your taste buds.

Gluten shows up in unexpected places, like in foods containing soy sauce, which often contains hidden traces of wheat. Gluten is also found in potato chips, hot dogs, candy bars, lunch meats, prepared eggs, and salad dressings. Since the lists of ingredients do not usually include the term “gluten,” it can be tricky to spot unless package specifically indicates that it is gluten free.

You want to avoid things that say, “malt flavor” or “malt extract.” Experts have also found gluten in rye, barley, wheat, and brewer’s yeast. Even if these foods are labeled with “gluten free,” they might contain gluten due to cross contamination.

Avoid self-diagnosis; if you believe that gluten is the cause of your health issues. If you’re following the advice of a doctor for any type of gluten-sensitive disorder, then you should also consult a health care practitioner to help you plan your meals.

 The Challenge

Eating out is very tricky because you generally don’t have any idea about the ingredients of your dish. But, it is easy—and becoming more common—to ask your server to find out if any barley, wheat, or rye has been used in your requested dish. Another challenge is learning more about food additives that contain gluten or wheat such as couscous, food starch, brewer’s yeast, and spelt bran.

The good news is, many of today’s eating establishments and food stores provided excellent offerings and food labels in response to the growing number of people who have decided to go wheat-free or gluten-free for a happier, healthier lifestyle.

Testing for Gluten Intolerance

The of the best way to determine your sensitivity to gluten, is to use avoidance and provocative testing i.e. the elimination diet. You eliminate all gluten sources in your diet for 30 days and then try adding it back to see if symptoms re-occur.

Food intolerances differ from full-blown food allergies so antibodies may not show up in blood tests.

Keep a log of all the food you eat and the symptoms you might experience for a few weeks. After eliminating gluten, the suspected food is eaten to see if symptoms re-develop. In some cases, people are able to gradually build up their tolerance to foods that previously bothered them.

Final Thought

Bottom line the wheat plant has changed due to the demand on production and we’re also consuming far more gluten than our bodies were ever meant to. It’s about knowing your body, what works for it and what doesn’t.

 

You may have been struggling with low energy or wanting to lose your excess weight, you might have  tried a number of diets and strategies that haven’t worked for you.

I know how frustrating this can be, and how confusing it is to try to make sense of all the conflicting nutritional information out there.

To get your FREE copy of the e-book:

Click HERE 5 Foods that will boost Your Energy Levels and Help You Lose Weight Naturally.

Why it’s important to know about Inflamm-ageing

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It is becoming increasingly clear that inflammation plays a major role in almost all diseases. You may have heard about the dangers of “silent” inflammation. It’s been discussed by Dr. Oz and has made headlines in publications such as Newsweek and Time.

What is inflammation? It’s your body’s first defense against infection, and it’s a natural part of the body’s healing process but when it goes wrong, it can upset the delicate balance among your body’s major systems (endocrine, central-nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular/respiratory) and can lead to serious health problems.
                                
It’s the difference between a campfire that’s meant to provide warmth on a chilly night and an forest fire that’s out of control, ravaging everything its path.

Low-grade inflammation is rapidly becoming recognized as the root cause of cognitive decline, as well as other serious health problems.

7 ways inflammation can damage your body:

  1. Memory loss and cognitive decline
  2. Increased cardiovascular risk
  3. Joint pain and loss of mobility
  4. Allergies and breathing discomfort
  5. Accelerated skin aging and wrinkles
  6. Compromised digestive function
  7. Weight gain and loss of muscle tone

How do you manage inflammation?

The answer is of course to try and turn off the excess inflammation by adding nutrients and anti-inflammatory fats that allow your healing processes to start working again.

Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory and is effective because it’s an inhibitor of the body’s inflammation-causing chemical, called Nf-kappa beta.

Curcumin has been shown in numerous studies to reduce joint pain and muscle soreness, protect the brain, support cardiovascular health, bolster immunity and more.

For more on the benefits of curcumin read this blog post

 

Doing a detox and addressing your food choices is another essential and easy way to reduce inflammation in the body. Check out the Easy Detox program below.

 

 

 

 READY FOR A REBOOT? Revolutionise your body in 14-days

Does any of this sound familiar to you?

    • You know you need to break free from unhealthy eating habits you know are bad for you?

    • You want to enjoy delicious and nourishing food while boosting your metabolism?

    • You’ve tried so many diets that haven’t brought you the results you are looking for?

    • You wonder if there are foods you’re sensitive to that may be preventing you from losing weight?

    • You struggle with nagging cravings, like wanting something sweet, that sabotage your efforts to eat healthy?

    • Your low energy and extra weight, stop you from living your life with more passion and vibrancy?

    • Are you feeling overwhelmed with how to start a healthier lifestyle?

STARTS: 16th October    Ends: 29th October 2017

To find out more Join us HERE

 

It’s what you do going forward that counts! I wanted to support you getting your sugar cravings, metabolism, health and weight in order – especially if you want to lose a few inches, in a healthy way.

Whether you want to lose some weight, start a cleaner life or:-

  • balance your blood sugar
  • discover renewed energy
  • tame your sugar cravings
  • decrease your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer
  • manage mood swings
  • look and feel more vibrant throughout the entire day

Please join me on a 2 week on-line retreat where you’ll learn how to reduce inflammation, detox from sugar, fuel your body with good nutrition and allow your body to release excess weight. For more go HERE

Glowing Skin Is An Inside Job

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The Essential’s To Having Healthy, Glowing Skin

We’ve all heard the expression “you are what you eat”, and your skin is no exception. Glowing skin isn’t just an outside job.

As a Naturopath, I’ve had first hand experience with acne in my teens and twenties, along with bad skin pigmentation when I was pregnant.

I also believe that we can do a lot to reduce the effects of ageing and actually regenerate our skin. I’ve seen first-hand that your skin is a mirror of your internal health. The right nutrients can make all the difference; especially as we age…they’re essential to glowing skin.

Simple Fact:  Your skin is your largest organ. It’s your protective covering and your first line of defence to fight illness and disease. It is also a passageway to your bloodstream. That being said, what you apply topically on your skin, as well as what you eat, will affect the overall health & appearance of your skin.

So let’s get started from the inside out.

A quote from a well known skin doctor: “Certain foods have powerhouse ingredients that keep skin supple and smooth and help fight age-related damage”, says Nicholas Perricone, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and author of “Ageless Face, Ageless Mind”.

First off, we need to HYDRATE the skin. That means drinking plenty of water. You need at least the recommended 6-8 glasses/day. If you are physically active, live in a warm climate, or feel thirsty, you may need to up your daily intake. Also, as we age, skin tends to become dehydrated a lot more quickly, causing it to wrinkle, so ample hydration is key.

Eat your superfoods! If it’s good for your health, it’s good for your skin too! Some examples:

  • Stress relieving foodOmega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish, such as herring, sardines, and salmon. Other sources of omega-3s include flaxseeds & walnuts. Omega-3s are known to decrease inflammation and may reduce the risk of acne and other skin problems.
  • Vitamin C helps produce collagen & prevents cells from damage caused by free radicals. Great sources are oranges, pineapples, tomato, strawberries, & bell peppers.
  • Vitamin E helps limit sun damage & signs of aging. Avocados and Almonds are a terrific source of Vitamin E.
  • Vitamin A revitalises skin by increasing cell production and rebuilds tissue. Eggs and dark leafy greens are good choices.
  • Beta-Carotene is needed for growth & repair of tissue. It is found in abundance in orange foods like carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, and cantaloupe.
  • Other fabulous foods to include to boost your skin health:  dark leafy vegetables, avocados, mushrooms, berries, and, surprise, surprise dark chocolate.

Did you know that your skin is a “breathable” organ? 
Up to 60% of what you apply topically on your skin will be absorbed into your bloodstream, and children absorb even more than that!!!!

Imagine that products you’ve been using for years actually contain harmful ingredients and could damage your health. If so, your first instinct would be to find a healthier alternative, pronto!

Heightened awareness and potential dangers have caused consumers to take a closer look at what they put on their skin and demand safer alternatives.

Many cosmetic companies do NOT list their ingredients, aka toxic chemicals, because they are not required to do so. Several of these toxic chemicals are linked to a host of problems including:  allergies, skin rashes, cancer, headaches, fertility & reproductive issues, birth defects, hormone inhibitors, and more.

Some toxic chemicals that should be avoided:

  • Parabens – often found in many personal care products. parabens are hormone inhibitors & believed to accelerate tumor growth
  • Artificial fragrance & color – may trigger allergies, asthma, and some colors contain lead & harmful dyes
  • Toulene – found in nail polish, hair color products, and some fragrances, this chemical is linked to kidney & liver damage, which may affect fetal growth
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate – a foaming agent found in shampoos and body/facial washes, it dries out the skin & is linked to eczema, hair- loss, rashes, and dry and scaly skin. (not to mention the effect on fish that are exposed when it ends the water system)
  • Formaldehyde – used as a preservative, formaldehyde is known by several different names & should be avoided at all costs, as the side effects are numerous
  • PEG’s – found in numerous skin & personal care products, this is anti-freeze and should be used in for your car, not your skin!
  • Paraffin/Mineral Oil/Petrolatum – clogs pores, causing toxic build-up ( favourite in baby oil and found in vaseline!)
  • Phthalates – found in plastics, it is a known hormone disruptor
  • Triclosan – used in anti-bacterial products, it is a pesticide, harmful to the environment, and a suspected carcinogenic
  • Sunscreens –Google some of those ingredients and you will see that they cause possible damage to DNA and many are known carcinogens

*****Of course, there are more, but you get the point. If you wouldn’t EAT it, it doesn’t belong on your SKIN.*****

 

If you’re struggling with any kind of hormone imbalance, tiredness, low energy or wanting to lose your excess weight. I’ve  put together a FREE guide for you, so you can start to learn how and why specific foods, and drinks, can help you have more energy and lose weight naturally. 

You’ll find it is easy to add these ingredients into your diet on a daily basis – get your downloadable guide here

In fact, at the end, I’m going to share one simple recipe you can make in under five minutes that incorporates all of these foods.

5foods-loss-weight

Get your copy of the FREE guide:
5 Foods that will help boost Your Energy Levels and Lose Weight Naturally.

HERE

Health and happiness,

Sue