HEALTH HUB Latest Articles
Help For Thin, Flat Hair
Help for thin, flat hair One of the most asked questions I get is “Why is my hair so thin and flat?” and “How can I make my hair look thicker?” There are so many products that claim to be root lifting, thickening, magical volume enhancers, you probably have many of these products stashed away in your cupboard never being used as they don’t fulfill your expectations. So let’s think outside the box and accept we do have fine hair and make the best of what we have. These colour smart hair tips will give you something to [...]
Is Your Thyroid Gland Working As It Should?
Is your thyroid gland working as it should? By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Your thyroid gland plays a vital role in controlling your weight, maintaining your energy levels, keeping your immune system strong and boosting your mood. It struggles to cope with the overload of toxins and pollution which have become a constant in our environment these days. No one organ in your body functions independently of the others, and this is very much the case with the thyroid gland. The health of your liver, adrenal glands, immune system and reproductive system all affect the function of your thyroid [...]
Smoking And Hair Loss
Smoking and hair loss Dear Marilyn I have taken up smoking again. My husband is not at all happy about this and has told me that my smoking will make my hair fall out and I will get more wrinkles. How can that be true? Hi Christa In a way he is correct, and smoking can increase hair loss, among other problems. The reason behind this is that smoking affects the lungs and the liver and reduces blood circulation and oxygen to the body extremities and scalp. Your [...]
Are The Vegetables You Eat Making Your Pain Worse?
Are the vegetables you eat making your pain worse? By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Did you know that nightshade vegetables can worsen joint and muscle pain? Nightshade is the colloquial term for vegetables in the solanaceae family. This family of plants contains more than 2000 species; however the most commonly eaten varieties are tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, capsicum and chilli. Interestingly the tobacco plant is also in this botanical family. These plants contain a type of molecule called alkaloids. The name of the alkaloid in potatoes is called solanine; in tomatoes it’s tomatine; nicotine in tobacco, and capsaicin in peppers. These [...]
Keto Hot Chocolate
Keto hot chocolate This keto hot chocolate is the perfect after-dinner treat to satisfy any sweet tooth. It is also a guilt-free indulgence being extremely low-carb and containing antioxidants. Serves: 1 Ingredients: 5 Serving size: 283 g Total calories: 153 Protein: 1 g Fat: 16.53 g Carbohydrates: 0.16 g Fibre: 0 g Ingredients 30 g unsalted butter 1 tbsp cacao powder ¼ tsp Nature Sweet ¼ tsp vanilla essence 1 cup boiling water Method Combine ingredients in a blender, blending for 30 seconds OR add ingredients to [...]
Stress Leading To Hair Loss
Stress leading to hair loss Dear Marilyn I have not been myself since the COVID lockdown. I have not looked after myself and I have put on weight. I have had very little social contact and now I notice that my hair is falling out even though it has not been coloured for months. I am very worried something serious is wrong with my metabolism and my hair. Hi Debbie You are not alone with the COVID stress. Thankfully help is available on many levels, but let us [...]
8 Biotin-Rich Foods You Should Be Eating
8 biotin-rich foods you should be eating By Jessah Robinson, Adv Dip (Nut Med) Biotin aka vitamin B7 is a water-soluble vitamin. It is an essential nutrient that helps to convert food into fuel for the body and aids the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In addition, biotin is also associated with having shiny hair, glowing skin and strong nails. As biotin is water-soluble, it is not stored in the body. However, it can be produced by gut bacteria, taken as a dietary supplement, or be obtained from certain foods. These are 8 sources of biotin that [...]
Is Your Antacid Depleting You Of Magnesium?
Is your antacid depleting you of magnesium? By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Back in 2012, the American FDA issued a warning that proton pump inhibitors can cause serious magnesium deficiency. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most commonly used drugs for reflux, heartburn, and stomach or duodenal ulcers. They reduce the ability of the stomach to produce acid. Some common brands include Losec, Zoton, Nexium, Pariet and Prevacid. The issue with these drugs is that people usually end up taking them every day for the rest of their life. Stomach acid is very necessary for good, efficient digestion and [...]
Paleo-Friendly Zucchini Pancakes
Paleo-friendly zucchini pancakes These paleo-friendly zucchini pancakes are not only easy to make, but are high in quality fats, dietary fibre and antioxidants to increase satiety, stabilise blood sugar levels, aid digestion and protect against free radicals. Serves: 1 Ingredients: 10 Serving Size: 316g Total calories: 393 Carbohydrates: 17.03g Fat: 32.9g Protein: 10.74g Ingredients 1 zucchini, grated (excess water squeezed out) 1 tbsp nut butter (peanut or almond), melted 1 free-range or organic egg 3 tbsp almond meal 1/8 tsp baking soda ¼ tsp Nature Sweet ½ tsp cinnamon [...]
What To Do If You’re A Sugar Addict
What to do if you’re a sugar addict By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Sugar addiction is a common problem among our patients. They know sugar is bad for their health but feel powerless to stay away from it. There is some debate among healthcare practitioners over whether sugar can actually be addictive or not. This is not going to be an academic article. If you feel like you cannot moderate your consumption of sugar, I’d like to give you strategies to help. Many of our patients have health problems they know are aggravated by sugar, yet they can’t manage [...]
