The Verdict on Coconut Oil
Earlier this year, Harvard professor Karen Michels proclaimed in a German lecture that coconut oil is “pure poison”. This comment took English-speaking media outlets by storm and went viral within days. However, it came as no surprise to most of us in the nutritional therapy world. Only last year, the Harvard Medical School posted a […]
What is intermittent fasting and why is it beneficial?
Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained popularity over the past decade. In my clinic, I have found it a powerful tool towards achieving weight loss and optimising health primarily because the time-restricted feeding subcategory of IF, which most of my clients prefer, does not involve calorie-restriction. Also, once clients become accustomed to it, they report feeling […]
How to cook vegetables to keep their bright pigment…
Cooking vegetables may seem obvious to many; after all, how hard can it be to bung them in a pan of boiling water until they’re soft? The problem is that many people don’t realise their method of cooking veggies can lead to all the goodness being cooked out or their vibrant colour becoming lost. Tired vegetables […]
Are genetic tests that probe into our genes and offer us advice beneficial?
Earlier this month I watched “Trust me, I’m a Doctor” with Michael Mosley. The question he raised was whether genetic tests that probe into our genes and offer us advice on what we should eat, how we should exercise, and whether we are predisposed to certain disease characteristics, are beneficial or simply a waste of […]
Finding your happiness in 2018!
Apologies for being a bit late in wishing you Happy New Year! For sure, many people will have wished you the same by now, and so too will you have wished the same to them. It’s as though we have been programmed to recite this statement to each other at the beginning of each new year […]
Reporting back on the Sugar Reduction Summit
I recently attended the Sugar Reduction Summit, held earlier this month with industry experts, policy-makers, public health professionals, and the health and wellness communities. Here are some of the key takeaway points: Encouraging…. The power of social media For the first time in a generation of politics, the government has admitted it is afraid because […]
Understanding sugar substitutes…
Sugar substitutes have become an important part of everyday life for many people who are concerned about the health risks associated with sugar. Extensive marketing and increased health awareness have led to their widespread use. Many of these sugar substitutes provide zero calories and are far more intense in their sweetness than sugar. As such […]
What is the FODMAP diet and is it suited to you?
The FODMAP diet seems to be the trend lately, and I’ve had several people asking me about it recently. It is gaining popularity in the media, on blogs and in research studies. 1 Does this mean it’s another awful fad diet, or does it have some merit? The truth is that the FODMAP diet is only worth considering […]
What is oestrogen dominance – and how to avoid it?
Hormone balance is crucial to virtually all bodily functions, including sex and reproduction, growth and development, sleep and mood. You will know if your hormones are in balance, because if they are, you will look great, feel great, have loads of energy, a healthy sex drive, and appetite. Hormonal imbalance, such as through oestrogen dominance, […]
Stomach acid and the possible underlying causes of heartburn
Acid reflux, or gastroesophogeal reflux disorder (GERD), occurs when acid from your stomach flows backwards through the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that separates the oesophagus from the stomach, into your oesophagus. 1 Heartburn, the burning feeling you get behind your breastbone that sometimes feels like you’re having a heart attack, and travels up your throat, […]
What is nutritional therapy – based on the functional medicine model?
Registered nutritional therapy practitioners practice nutritional therapy based on the Functional Medicine model. Their attention is focussed on the client, rather than any illness they may have. The emphasis is on lifestyle, diet and supplements as the primary intervention, and, if necessary, functional testing (such as conventional blood tests or more sophisticated functional tests) is considered to […]
Sugar: what is it and how is it harmful?
Today, more than ever before, we are hearing the word “sugar” bandied about everywhere, and are being warned of the health risks associated with high intakes of it. We are told that “added” or “free” sugars are harmful; and that it is these sugars we need to cut back on because they cause our blood […]
