HEALTH HUB Latest Articles
These foods raise the risk of dementia
These foods raise the risk of dementia By naturopath Margaret Jasinska A new study has found high consumption of ultra processed food is associated with poor attention and an elevated risk for dementia in middle aged and older adults. Interestingly the association remained strong even after adjusting for adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Eating junk food harms your brain even if you also eat healthy food as well. Researchers studied nearly 2,200 Australian adults between the ages of 40 and 70 (average age 57). None had dementia at the start of the study, and participants were recruited as [...]
These food additives could be harming your heart
These food additives could be harming your heart By naturopath Margaret Jasinska New research found that common food preservatives are linked to higher risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Scientists tracked the eating habits and health outcomes of over 112,000 adults in France for nearly eight years. Participants, mostly women, with an average age of 43 had no history of high blood pressure or heart disease when the study began in 2009. Throughout the study, participants kept detailed food diaries several times a year, logging every branded product they ate. Researchers used this data, along with [...]
5 Foods to Boost your Nutrition this Winter
5 Foods to Boost your Nutrition this Winter By Jessah Shaw, Adv Dip Nut Med There’s a reason it’s recommended to buy what’s in season. Not only is it more affordable and tastier, but it also means you’re getting the highest concentration of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Here are the top 5 produce items to get this Winter and why: 1. Pumpkin Pumpkin’s vibrant orange colour shows its high concentration of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that your body converts into vitamin A. Just one cup of cooked [...]
Strawberry Coconut Energy Balls
Strawberry Coconut Energy Balls A quick, healthy and delicious snack that can be made in advance and frozen. Serves: Makes approx. 15 balls Suggested serving size: 1 - 2 Ingredients 1 cup Medjool dates, seeds removed 1 cup raw cashews ½ cup shredded coconut, plus 1/3 cup extra for rolling 3 scoops Children's Immune Strength powder 1 tsp vanilla extract Method Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend into a thick, sticky dough. If it's not sticking together, add 1 tsp of water, blend [...]
Why Kids Get Sick So Often and What You Can Do About It
Why kids get sick so often and what you can do about it By naturopath Margaret Jasinska If your child seems to catch every cold going around, you're not alone. Most young children get six to eight respiratory infections a year. Some paediatric authorities say that 12 infections a year is normal, but we don’t agree with that. One infection a month may be common but it’s not healthy. Frequent infections in a child can feel exhausting and worrying, but it's actually a typical part of growing up. There are ways to make infections less frequent and less [...]
Top tips to make weight loss easier
Top tips to make weight loss easier By naturopath Margaret Jasinska You don’t need to count calories or exhaust yourself with exercise. The science of sustainable weight loss is far simpler and easier. You just need to implement strategies that work and be consistent. I think for a lot of our patients, weight loss feels like a punishment. They deprive and exhaust their bodies, step on the scales each week and if weight loss is too slow, they give up entirely. Most people struggle not because they lack willpower, but because the advice they follow is too extreme [...]
Magnesium Requirements Increase During Pregnancy
Magnesium Requirements Increase During Pregnancy By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Many women do not get enough magnesium while pregnant and this can cause several unpleasant symptoms. Low magnesium is also known as hypomagnesemia. In pregnancy it is common and can cause symptoms like leg cramps, insomnia and fatigue. Pregnant women need roughly 350–400 mg of magnesium daily, found in foods like nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and legumes. Magnesium has many critical functions in your body. In fact, 300 enzymes in your body rely on it. Magnesium is necessary for energy production and blood sugar regulation. Not getting enough magnesium [...]
6 Foods to Combat Dry Skin this Autumn
6 Foods to Combat Dry Skin this Autumn By Jessah Shaw, Adv Dip Nut Med Dry skin is a common occurrence at this time of the year as the weather becomes cooler, stripping the natural moisture from our skin and weakening our skin barrier. Personally, my hands always seem to suffer the worst at this time of the year. While there are several topical solutions and lifestyle tips such as using a humidifier, shortening showers and increasing water intake, today I am focusing on 6 foods that can help to combat dry skin: [...]
This vitamin deficiency raises risk of uterine fibroids
This vitamin deficiency raises risk of uterine fibroids Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths on the uterus that are extremely common. They affect 70 to 80 percent of women by the age of 50. They can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and they are the most common reason for hysterectomy. Getting adequate vitamin D can help to prevent fibroids from developing in the first place, but it can also help to shrink fibroids that are already present. Vitamin D is manufactured in your skin when you go out into the sun. The sun’s UVB rays convert [...]
Your antacid could be harming your gallbladder
Your antacid could be harming your gallbladder By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Did you know that long term use of stomach acid blocking drugs increases the risk of gallstones? Antacids, especially proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists impair proper gallbladder contraction and in time this can lead to stone formation. Stomach acid suppressing medications can cause the gallbladder to contract less forcefully, reducing its ability to empty bile completely. This means bile can stay in the gallbladder longer, encouraging the formation of sludge and stones. Sludge is usually a forerunner to stones. A study from the UK Biobank [...]
