HEALTH HUB Latest Articles
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 lose weight. [...]
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 [...]