HEALTH HUB Latest Articles
Your joints love collagen
Your joints love collagen By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Collagen is a key structural protein in cartilage. It provides support, strength, and flexibility to your joints. If the collagen in your cartilage breaks down, this can lead to joint pain and stiffness. This will inevitably happen to all of us as we age, but you have a lot of control over how soon it begins and how quickly your cartilage deteriorates. Maintaining collagen levels is vitally important for your current and future joint health. What is collagen? Collagen is the glue that holds your body together. The name collagen [...]
This virus may be responsible for a common autoimmune disease
This virus may be responsible for a common autoimmune disease By naturopath Margaret Jasinska The virus that causes glandular fever, also known as mononucleosis and Epstein Barr virus can significantly raise the risk of lupus. Recent research has shown the virus seems to infect and reprogram immune cells in a way that increases the likelihood of lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the immune system becomes hyper reactive. White blood cells called B-cells and T-cells attack healthy tissues in the body. This can cause a variety of symptoms such as painful muscles and [...]
A fungal infection could be driving your autoimmune condition
A fungal infection could be driving your autoimmune condition By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Did you know that a chronic fungal infection can trigger and aggravate an autoimmune disease? Fungal infections are common in people with a weak immune system, gut problems or highly stressed individuals. As your body tries to fight the fungus, via a process called molecular mimicry, your immune cells can start attacking components of your own body. There are actually molecular similarities between fungus and some human tissues. If you have a chronic fungal infection, your immune system produces antibodies to attack and destroy the [...]
Iodine deficiency raises risk of fatty liver
Iodine deficiency raises risk of fatty liver By Margaret Jasinska Did you know that iodine is a vital mineral for a fast and efficient metabolism? People who are deficient in iodine are at greater risk of developing a fatty liver. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a term that describes fatty liver associated with insulin resistance. People with this condition usually struggle with their weight and metabolism. A study published in the journal BMC Gastroenterology found that adults with a high urinary iodine concentration are significantly less likely to have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The [...]
If you’re tired, you should get your thyroid checked
If you’re tired, you should get your thyroid checked By naturopath Margaret Jasinska The thyroid gland controls the rate at which the energy factories (mitochondria) inside the cells in your body make energy. Thus, it is not surprising that a very common cause of fatigue is a sluggish thyroid gland. If your thyroid gland is not making enough thyroid hormone this is called hypothyroidism. The most common symptoms of low thyroid function are - Fatigue Weight gain Fluid retention Brain fog Constipation Muscle weakness Depression Dry skin Scalp hair loss Thyroid Function Blood Tests Here is a guide [...]
New blood test for fatty liver
New blood test for fatty liver By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Most people have a liver function test to check on the health of their liver. Did you know there is another blood test that strongly predicts fatty liver? It is especially helpful in younger individuals who are not obese. These people are typically not thought to be at risk of fatty liver disease. Researchers have found there is a strong association between blood levels of uric acid and fatty liver. Uric acid is normally elevated in people with gout. Smaller elevations in uric acid can also indicate a [...]
Help for premenstrual breast pain
Help for premenstrual breast pain By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Premenstrual breast pain is also called cyclic mastalgia. It’s common and caused by hormonal changes before a period, leading to pain or tenderness, and fluid retention in the breasts. Symptoms can be mild or severe and usually improve after the period starts. The symptoms can vary in intensity from month to month. Premenstrual breast tenderness is usually caused by the rise in oestrogen and progesterone before your period. This causes milk ducts and glands to swell and retain fluid. The increased fluid puts pressure on nerves in the breasts, [...]
Visceral fat aggravates Crohn’s disease
Visceral fat aggravates Crohn’s disease By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Did you know people with more abdominal fat who have Crohn’s disease are at risk of a more aggressive form of the disease? More flare ups, more difficult to control with medication and a higher risk of complications requiring surgery. Visceral fat produces inflammatory chemicals that act as petrol on a fire, to increase inflammation. Crohn’s disease is a common type of inflammatory bowel disease. It’s an autoimmune condition whereby the immune system attacks components of the digestive tract. It can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from [...]
Poor gut health results in fatigue
Poor gut health results in fatigue By naturopath Margaret Jasinska People with chronic fatigue syndrome have different gut bugs compared to healthy people. We all have approximately one and a half kilograms of microbes in our gut. These microbes have a major effect on the immune system that lives in your gut. Having too many of the wrong bugs can cause a leaky gut, leading to elevated systemic inflammation. Fatigue and low mood are common symptoms of an inflamed gut. Fatigue can really interfere with your day to day life. There are many different factors that play a [...]
Inflammation may raise your cancer risk
Inflammation may raise your cancer risk Everyone wants to do what they can to avoid cancer. Did you know that having too much inflammation in your body is a strong risk factor? Inflammation can cause wear and tear to all areas of your body. It can damage the genetic material in your cells and inside your mitochondria. This can interfere with proper cell function, potentially causing cancer. What is inflammation? Inflammation is the way our body responds to injury. We can usually tell a part of our body is inflamed when it is red, hot, swollen and we [...]