HEALTH HUB Latest Articles
Are you tired because of a sluggish liver?
Are you tired because of a sluggish liver? By Dr Sandra Cabot The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body, and is a central processing factory for everything absorbed from the digestive tract. It receives a double blood supply, with the portal vein bringing nutrient-laden blood directly from the intestines, which makes the liver the major organ of metabolism. The liver is the gateway to the rest of the body and this allows the liver to regulate the chemical composition of blood before it circulates back to the heart and is then pumped around the [...]
A healthy liver will reduce your risk of cancer taking hold
A healthy liver will reduce your risk of cancer taking hold By Dr Sandra Cabot When we think about preventing cancer as well as reducing the risk of cancer spreading, we think about the immune system and most people don’t think about the liver’s important role in this. It is important to know that a healthy liver can increase our chances of surviving cancer. The liver can filter out and destroy circulating tumour (cancer) cells (CTCs) and uses several strategies to do this. The liver is a physical and mechanical filter known as the hepatic [...]
Important ways magnesium benefits your health
Important ways magnesium benefits your health By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Magnesium is a very important mineral for good health and you may not be getting enough. Magnesium helps your body with hundreds of important metabolic processes, and not getting adequate magnesium in your diet can cause some unpleasant symptoms. You can obtain magnesium from some foods, but you may not be eating enough of those foods, or absorbing magnesium properly. How much magnesium do you need? Adult women need at least 310 milligrams of magnesium each day, and 320 milligrams after the age of 30. Pregnant women need [...]
Stress can spike your blood sugar: No carbs required
Stress can spike your blood sugar: No carbs required By naturopath Margaret JasinskaDid you know psychological stress can trigger your brain to send a direct neural signal to your liver, telling it to produce and release sugar into your bloodstream? This is a good example to illustrate how other things besides food affect our blood sugar. What you eat is important, but it’s also necessary to realise that your blood sugar is affected by other factors.Many of you realise that the stress hormones cortisol and adrenalin can cause glucose spikes. A new study published in the journal Nature found there [...]
Vitamin K helps to protect a fatty liver
Vitamin K helps to protect a fatty liver By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Did you know vitamin K has positive effects on your metabolism? People who don’t get enough vitamin K are more susceptible to insulin resistance, and that is the leading risk factor for developing a fatty liver. If you already have a fatty liver, vitamin K insufficiency worsens the severity. Your body requires adequate vitamin K in order to help your blood to clot but it has far more benefits than that. Vitamin K2 helps to strengthen bones, reducing the risk of osteoporosis. It also helps to [...]
Sleep apnoea linked to vision loss
Sleep apnoea linked to vision loss By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Sleep apnoea is an extremely common condition that may affect up to 1 in 10 adults over the age of 30. It causes a person to stop breathing many times throughout the night. It typically causes snoring and is very disruptive to the sleep of the individual as well as their bed partner. This condition affects far more than just sleep quality. Recent research has shown that people with the condition are at higher risk of glaucoma. Glaucoma results when the optic nerve in the eyes sustains damage [...]
This commonly used medication may raise colon cancer risk
This commonly used medication may raise colon cancer risk By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Shocking new research has shown that people who take stomach acid blocking drugs for GORD (Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease) are more likely to develop polyps in their colon that may progress into colon cancer. Rates of colon cancer continue to climb in younger individuals. This is an important risk factor everyone should be aware of. Stomach acid blocking drugs are some of the most commonly used drugs in the world. The most common class is called proton pump inhibitors. Some popular brand names include Losec, [...]
Diabetics have unique weight loss challenges
Diabetics have unique weight loss challenges By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Losing weight is tough for almost everyone. It’s especially hard for type 2 diabetics. Metabolic hormones and hunger hormones are usually out of balance in diabetics. The calories they consume are more likely to get stored as fat rather than burnt for energy. This also means meals are less satiating and hunger and cravings can become unbearable. Diabetics typically put in twice the effort but only experience a quarter of the reward when trying to lose weight. Fortunately there are ways to out smarten your metabolism and successfully [...]
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 [...]