KIDS HEALTH – Back to School

Keeping Your Kids Happy and Healthy at School and Childcare

Breathing a sigh of relief now that school holidays are over and the kids are back at school again?  To ensure your kids are breathing easy as well, protect them from colds and flu’s this school year?

At school and childcare, kids are exposed to a host of bacteria and viruses and are often susceptible to infections.  The start of the school year is the perfect time to boost your child’s immunity, so that they stay strong and healthy throughout the year and don’t fall victim to frequent infections.  A sick child can quickly spread their germs around the family, requiring time off school and having a big impact on family life.  Developing robust immunity is essential to every aspect of childhood development.  In fact, healthy immunity in children sets the stage for good health well into adult life.

A Healthy Digestive System for Strong ImmunityOver 70% of our immune system lives in and around the gastrointestinal tract; therefore having high levels of good bacteria in the digestive system is essential for building a strong immune system in growing children.  The beneficial balance of ‘good bugs’ in the gut is easily upset by many factors, including antibiotics, high sugar diets and stress.  This can lead to an increased risk of colds and flu’s for your kids.  Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that you can give your kids as a supplement to aid in the development and maintenance of healthy digestive and immune function.

Less Sick Days Thanks to Probiotics

Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 are two strains of probiotics that have been scientifically show to help boost immunity.  Taken in combination over six months, these probiotics have been shown to effectively reduce the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infections in young children over winter.  In a scientific study of 248 children in childcare aged 3 to 5 years, children who consumed Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 daily had significantly less infections, shorter duration of cold and ‘flu symptoms, and less days absent from childcare.  So if your child suffers from multiple colds and flu’s, these probiotics might be just what they need to help!

Herbs and Nutrients for Boosting Immunity

As well as probiotics, these Natural Medicines may also help boost your child’s immunity.

·         Andrographis – This immune stimulating herb has a long history of use for fighting viral and bacterial infections.  A clinical study has shown Andrographis to powerfully reduce the intensity of cold symptoms, such as tiredness, sleeplessness, sore throat and nasal secretions.

·         Vitamin C – Vitamin C increases the activity of infection-fighting white blood cells.  It also inhibits viral growth and reduces incidence of the common cold.  Vitamin C has been shown to be most effective when given with zinc.

·         Zinc – Zinc is crucial for normal development of white blood cells, the body’s main defence against infection.  Zinc deficiency can dramatically reduce your child’s ability to fight bacteria and viruses, making them more susceptible to picking up infections.

Talk to your Practitioner today about the best remedies to boost our child’s immunity and keep them healthy and happy this school year.

Simple Steps to Strong Immunity

To support their immune system, these diet and lifestyle tips may help:

• Ensure your child eats plenty of vegetables and fruits every day
• Ensure your child eats protein-rich foods in each meal or snack
• Ensure your child drinks plenty of water daily
• Reduce sugary foods and sweets, as these can suppress optimal immune function
• Avoid or severely limit processed foods, additives and artificial flavours
• Ensure your child has adequate sleep and rest
• Encourage regular exercise

Talk to us today!

Your Practitioner can help you keep your kids healthy this year.  Healthy kids are happier and behave better, need less time off school and cause less disruption to the smooth running of family life.

Help you kids thrive and do their best at school and play!

-Metagenics Wellness Review Magazine

LOOKING AFTER YOUR TELOMERES

As we age everything seems to slow down and becomes harder to do.  More creaks, aches and wrinkles appear and what took us 10 minutes now takes 15 minutes and sometimes even longer.  So what happens? 

The average maximum life span of humans currently stands at 85 years though this can vary depending on where you live in the world.  Scientists have discovered that telomeres, which are a sequence of nucleic acids extending from the ends of chromosomes, act to maintain the integrity of these chromosomes.  These telomeres are often described as the plastic ends of shoe laces that stop the fraying. So each time a cell divides the telomeres become shorter leading to cellular damage and cellular death associated with ageing.   

So what can we do to slow this process down?  Firstly reduce stress, as the more stressed you are the shorter your telomeres.  Meditation, yoga or just simply walking 20 minutes per day will do this.  Find something you look forward to doing rather than something you avoid or dread.  Once you start it will slowly become a habit. 

There are of course many other contributing factors and a deep peaceful sleep is one of them along with a healthy diet, 1½ litres of water per day and a body that detoxifies continually.  Also involved are hormones and the endocrine system. 

Let’s start with sleep.  A cool, dark room with no laptops or TV is required.  If you have these ensure they are unplugged before you go to sleep.  Definitely no mobile phones either as these are connected to satellites which in turn send electro magnetic radiation to the hypothalamus.  This gland within the brain is responsible for sleep, emotional activity and hormones via the pituitary gland.  Eating a large steak at night will also prevent a good night’s sleep as the body needs to break this down instead of resting.  You are likely to spend most of the night tossing and turning, particularly between 1 to 3 am.  The best sleep is before midnight and awaking at the same time each morning allows a resetting of your circadian rhythm.  If you have had a late night it is far better to have a power nap later in the day. 

Now to food.  Each meal should include nutrient rich fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes.  Basically your food needs to be “slow” not “fast”.  I see far more health issues with patients on fast food diets than any thing else.   And as you wash the outside of your body daily remember the inside needs the same treatment.  Ensure it is just water too; no slice of lemon, tea or coffee added.  These are always in addition to your daily requirement of 1½ litres water. 

HGH (Human Growth Hormone), DHEA, melatonin, progesterone, oestrogen and testosterone all slow down as we grow older.  These can be helped with herbal formulations, bio identical hormones (hormones with the exact same structure as the hormones made in your body - hence the name "bio identical") and medication.  If medication is required full bloods tests are undertaken to ensure there are no contraindications and to ascertain the exact dosage your body requires.

The minute a person decides to detoxify they rush off and buy a liver detox pill or potion.  Some of these can have unpleasant side effects.  The first thing to do is look at your diet.  Cut out all the sugars, yeasts, dairy, wheat and alcohol.  Increase vegetables, fruit, and have wholesome casseroles and soups.  Reduce main meals down to entrée size but ensure they still contain all your nutrients. And of course gentle exercise is required to get the lymphatics pumping.  There are a couple of products that may assist with detoxification.  The first is Glutathione, a substance found in every cell of the body, and often called the master antioxidant. It also regulates the actions of Vitamin C and E.  

Glutathione regulates and regenerates immune cells and is the most valuable detoxifying agent in the body.  It is important in DNA synthesis and repair, protein and prostaglandin synthesis, amino acid transport, detoxification of toxins and carcinogens, and protection from oxidation and enzyme activations. Glutathione also has strong antiviral properties.

Next is the all time favourite Vitamin C.  This vitamin is linked to the prevention of degenerative diseases – such as cataracts, certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases. It also promotes healthy cell development, increases calcium absorption and assists with normal tissue growth and repair. Vitamin C assists in the prevention of blood clotting and bruising, and strengthens the walls of capillaries.  It is needed for healthy gums, protection and assistance in clearing up infections and is thought to enhance the immune system, help reduce cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and prevent atherosclerosis.  Taking a good quality omega supplement is another essential as is Vitamin D.  Please be wary of the fillers and heavy metals found in many of the cheaper brands available.

There are many other ways to slow down the ageing process and at the Clinic all these issues can be addressed to assist you with health and wellbeing.  Ageing in years does not necessarily mean a decline in health, energy, or looks.  I have several elderly patients whose active lifestyles and glowing health speak of the power of positive thinking too.  Remember your body is actually your best friend and showering it with brilliant nutrition, plenty of fluid, early nights and messages of love will see it thrive regardless of your age.

Sleep – it’s more than just closing your eyes.

If you did not have a good sleep last night; join the queue.  Probably one third of Adelaide didn’t either.  In fact a lack of sleep is becoming a serious problem for many of us as we work longer hours with increasing pressure in our daily lives.

One of the most important building blocks of vitality resides in the healing power of sleep, an amazing life-sustaining system where natural therapies can make immediate and dramatic changes to your well-being.  Sleep achieves the deepest levels of metabolic calm, allowing your body to re-align everything from basic chemistry through to your thoughts and emotions.  It rejuvenates your body chemistry for renewed energy; recharges your immune system and heals your body and helps process, sort and store everything you’ve learnt, felt or experienced during the day.

There are a multitude of health issues brought about by a lack of good quality sleep.  Whilst we count the “zzz’s” our immune system regenerates as does our hormones and endocrine system.  Sleep also helps us lose weight, as a deep sleep regulates our growth hormone, a potent fat-burner which helps build new, strong, healthy skin and muscle tissue.  So, poor sleep leads to early aging, memory loss, impaired brain function and low libido.

And it gets worse as an estimated one in every 6 fatal accidents is due to sleep deprivation.  Up to 80% of mental health problems can be caused by or severely worsened through lack of sleep and one third of the population snores.  It is estimated more than 50% of us suffer insomnia at some time in our lives.

Imagine having a credit card and every hour of sleep you miss is added to it.  This is called a sleep debt and sadly most people think they can continue functioning okay on minimal sleep and it won’t seriously affect their health.  Ten years down the track the balance on that card is starting to look scary and we haven’t even added the interest yet.

We also need to be aware of the importance of early bed times as the most valuable rest is before midnight.  And it is far better to get up at the same time every morning and take a nap later in the day then snooze until noon on the weekends.  Sleep also stimulates growth, proper brain development, memory and alertness and is therefore very important for children.  It should take 10 to 15 minutes to fall asleep.  If you are asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow or taking 20 minutes or more to fall asleep you have a sleep issue.

There are 4 stages of sleep and each has certain requirements to succeed.

1.     Initiating Sleep requires melatonin, progesterone, prolactin, GABA and Adenosine.

2.      Maintaining Sleep requires GABA, Adenosine, and Melatonin.

3.     Quality of Sleep is assisted by no carbohydrates ie pasta or large protein meals after 5pm 

4.     Waking refreshed in the morning is the responsibility of dopamine and serotonin.

So as you can see it is not just a matter of climbing into bed and closing your eyes. There is a whole army actively working behind the scenes to assist you.  Also required is a comfortable space with no laptops or televisions plugged in.  Definitely no mobile phones either as these are connected to satellites which in turn send electro magnetic radiation to the hypothalamus.  This gland within the brain is responsible for sleep, emotional activity and hormones via the pituitary gland.  I think a great slogan would be, “Guard your Hypothalamus – the keeper of your dreams”.

There are other important issues too.  Never go to sleep angry or upset with someone. Whilst you lie wide awake plotting their demise or thinking of a hundred different ways the situation could have been avoided, I can guarantee they will be enjoying a refreshing sleep.  It is also important to be grateful.  Think of five things that have happened during the day that made you happy.  And if it was “one of those days”, at least be glad of a warm bed to curl up in.  As Winston Churchill said – “Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others”.  So whatever your day, remember the best thing you can do now is have an early night.

Deborah Rugari

Can We Slow Down the Ageing Process?

As a Naturopath, the question most asked is “Do I need to take supplements?”  Not surprising really; as we are regularly bombarded with pills, potions and lotions that will apparently make us overnight into movie stars.  If only this were true!  And of course, the older we get the more conscious we become of wanting to find the magic youth elixir to stop the inevitable. 

Many people believe that eating a well balanced diet provides all the vitamins and minerals necessary for good health.  In ideal circumstances perhaps this would be true.  Your own garden with organic fresh fruit and vegetables is a start but even then the Australian soil is deficient in zinc, magnesium and selenium so these will not be abundant in home grown produce.

A diet overly dependent in refined carbohydrates, such as sugar and white flour creates a greater demand on the B-group vitamins required to process these carbohydrates.  Excess coffee can cause inflammation of the digestive lining, resulting in a drop in secretion of digestive fluids which are vital to break down the particles of food for absorption.  Eating too quickly and not chewing enough will also limit the amount of vitamins and minerals absorbed.  Low fat diets can create a deficiency in vitamins A, D and E; and vegetarian diets unless skilfully planned result in low B12 and Iron.

Most of us eat a breakfast cereal high in wheat, which gives a spurt of energy to start the day; rather than a protein which slowly breaks down and supplies level, longer and more sustained energy.  So if you are one of the many people finding themselves ravenously hungry by 10am; needing a coffee or stimulant to help you wake up in the morning, a protein breakfast is just what you need.  As you would put high quality petrol in a car before you start the engine, it is the same with our bodies; we need a high quality, protein-rich breakfast before we start the day.

Nuts; excluding peanuts for morning and afternoon with a piece of fruit is another good way to top up the tank and provide more nutrients.  A salad with a good portion of protein at lunch will serve you well for the afternoon and a lighter meal at night approximately 4 hours before bed will ensure a deeper more refreshing sleep.  And of course a brisk walk around the block instead of slumping in front of the television will also contribute to a better level of sleep.

Our cattle and poultry are now given hormones and antibiotics which end up being stored in our bodies. Try purchasing organic food to avoid the toxic cocktail of pesticides now being used. And guess what?  An apple tastes just like it did when we were children. Purchasing from a farmers market or contacting an organic home delivery service will alleviate this exposure.

A good multi vitamin and mineral supplement will never go astray; however purchase with caution.  What is the source and which country did it come from? What fillers have been used?  For instance at the Clinic we only used 4 essential fatty acid formulas that are guaranteed pure and heavy metal free.  Our calcium comes from organic cows and our herbal formulas from organic farms.  And rather than using a large band aid we test our patient’s vitamins and minerals levels, give them the exact ones they are deficient in and advise which foods to eat more of.

There are many ways to slow down the ageing process and enjoy health and wellbeing until our use by date.  Eat well, drink 1½ litres of water daily, sleep deeply, exercise regularly, surround yourself with positive people and always be grateful even for the tough stuff. 

Getting into shape for Spring

Well it’s that time of the year again.  The days are getting longer, the temperature is slowly climbing and the summer fashion is displayed in all the boutiques.  It is also the season for the weight loss promotions to start appearing wherever you look.  And why not – Australians spend more than 700 million dollars per year on weight loss.

I find this truly amazing because if you look at statistics we seem to be increasing in size every year too.  It was not that long ago that clothing manufacturers decided to change the basic sizing that all companies adhere to so that a size 12 became a size 10, a size 10 an 8 etc.  It was to literally keep the truth from consumers and allow them to continue shopping believing they were the same size as 20 years ago.  The theory being if you fit into a small size you are more likely to buy it.

So why is it that the majority of us are unable to maintain our weight?  Well firstly the giant hamburger and mammoth pizza that is on “special” distorts our perception of what is a normal size serving for us.  A lean protein portion should be the same size and thickness as our palm.  We also seem to be time poor when it comes to cooking nutritious meals filled with protein, vitamins and minerals.  Especially at breakfast; which as our Grandmothers told us, needs to be the most important meal of the day.

Regular exercise has also slowed down.  I find there are two main groups – the Gym junkie that goes every day first thing in the morning before breakfast.  Sadly all they do is lose muscle mass.  Then we have the no time, too cold, cannot be bothered type who considers a brisk walk something that is only important for some-one else to do.  Thankfully there are still quite a few who are happy to gently exercise regularly and seem to be the ones that reap the most benefits.

So what about those people that do all the right things i.e. protein breakfast and lunch, regularly protein snacks, a light evening meal, exercise and still are unable to lose the kilos.  Generally this is because they are not burning their fats stores effectively.  This can be caused by high free fatty acids, inflammation and/or oxidative stress.  In other words something else may be going on that is not allowing you to lose weight – your body’s way of protecting you.

Metabolic rates and energy levels are governed by mitochondrial production and can become compromised if not supported with the correct B vitamins, magnesium, calcium and carnitine.  Get these nutrients right and there will be an improvement.  Then we have thermogenesis which is the increase in fat burning which may also promote abdominal fat loss. However living in warm climates, heated offices, homes and cars suppress our thermogenic ability. 

When you eat a large meal, you often start to feel warm. This is called diet-induced thermogenesis. It means that we are going to need more energy to digest this food than the energy it contains.  Responsibility for this is brown fat tissue. As we grow older, this system tends to slow down.  There are plenty of products around that claim they can promote this action but beware of any product containing whey as these may actually block lymph nodes and create another set of problems.  Simply things like green tea, cocoa, calcium, sweet pepper, bitter orange all assist with thermogenesis.

Anti-appetite medication targets neurotransmitters which may decrease carbohydrate cravings but can upset our brains natural ability to respond as needed in other areas.  What we can use is will power and that has absolutely no cost involved. 

Over the years I have discovered that each person is an individual with differing needs.  Often it is a sluggish thyroid, sleep depravation, emotional baggage, a lack of self esteem or their subconscious providing self protection.  These issues slowly allow them to become tired and over weight.  It is also important to remember that the body has a memory and just because it is spring does not necessarily mean it wants to be lured from its safety zone. 

At the Clinic we do a Bioimpedance Analysis which will measure weight, fat, muscle mass and give an accurate body composition measurement.  This gives you ideal muscle and fat levels and allows for a personal programme to be designed for your own individual requirements.  You also need to plan your meals in advance and never go shopping when you are hungry.  Clean out your pantry – if the junk food is not there you won’t want it.  Instead of meeting friends for coffee and cake meet for a walk.  When eating out order an entrée size meal and use lemon juice and oil as a substituted for many sauces especially the creamy ones.

So the basics are:

Main meal of the day is Breakfast – poached eggs with spinach; eye bacon (grilled) and tomato; sliced grilled chicken and avocado on rice cakes; scrambled eggs with asparagus; Sardines on corn cakes.

Snacks – am and pm – ½ cup of nuts (avoid peanuts); cashew paste on rice cakes; ½ cup seeds.  Always add a piece of fresh or sun dried fruit.

Lunch – chicken breast; medium size can of Salmon; turkey patties; grilled fish or steak all served with a large salad.  Followed by a brisk walk around the block.

Dinner – Steamed or stir fried vegetable; home-made chicken soup; small serve of slow cooked beef or lamb.  Followed by a brisk walk around the block.

Quote - In eating, a third of the stomach should be filled with food, a third with drink

and the rest left empty. Talmud

Deborah Rugari N.D.

The Benefits of Facial Massage

“Healing begins with an aromatic bath and daily massage" - Hippocrates

Facial massage is good for many reasons. 1. Massage helps to exfoliate the skin, taking away dirt and dead skin cells which make the skin look dull. 2. Massage increases the circulation of blood to the face, and improves circulation making the skin more nourished, creating a healthy glow. 3. Massage improves the elasticity of the skin, thereby removing the wrinkles and fine lines that are associated with ageing. Massage is not just for the body and the limbs, it can also be done on the face, and facial massage is touted to be one of the best anti-ageing treatments ever.

Massage, in whatever form, loosens the muscles; assists with pain and strain, relaxes the body and calms the mind. A good massage, done regularly helps to stimulate the release of feel-good hormones known as endorphins. It also improves the circulation of blood within the body and makes the elimination of wastes from the body more efficient.

A Facial Massage is the ultimate anti-aging treatment! When you first get up in the morning your face probably looks paler, puffier, and more creased than usual. You can blame some of the creases on the pillow you slept on, but the lack of colour and tone are the result of a nocturnal slow down in circulation.

When the body is in a deep rest it puts the brakes on the systems that pump blood and lymph around the body. At night, when the lymph drainage of toxins, and the tissues slow down, the waste builds up. Puffiness around the face, particularly the eyes in the morning, is just one of the more obvious signs of this; likewise, the relative pallor that follows the nocturnal slow down in blood circulation

It is not only sleep that slows down circulation. During the day, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, shallow breathing and over exposure to pollution – all hazards of modern living – slow the drainage of lymph and flow of blood.

Facial Massage via exercise jump-starts both. A pinker glow is the obvious testament to improved blood flow. This is why a monthly facial is so beneficial. An acceleration in lymph action is less visible, but you can assume that if your face is a richer colour the lymph has also been stimulated, since it vessels run closer to the surface of the skin. A fluid lymph system shows in a resilient immune system and a bright complexion. Half of the lymph nodes in the body are in the neck, so unblocking them has an immediate effect on the facial skin.

When you press or squeeze any part of your body, it increases circulation to that area. The face responds particularly well to touch as it is packed with small, sensitive muscle and so richly endowed with nerve endings.
Tension, and to a certain extent age, causes the connective tissue between the layers of the facial skin and the facial muscle to become less supple over time. As a result habitual expressions such as frown lines, rigid jaws, pursed lips and staring eyes tend to become set as part of the fabric of the face. The gentle pressure of a facial massage can loosen up the facial muscle and allow them to learn to slide back into place more readily after being tensed. The cumulative effect is such that with repeated treatment your face will be left looking relaxed, and therefore younger. Also, because massage stimulates circulation to the face, your complexion will be toned and glowing.

The muscles of the face are extremely delicate. Massage can be tremendously beneficial. Facial massage results in fair and smooth skin. The skin's elasticity also replenishes. It becomes more translucent and it has a healthy glow.

Margaret Bercea – Aesthetician

What is Mora?

The Mora was designed in Germany by Dr. Franz Morell MD and an electrical engineer Erich Rasch more than 25 years ago.  This machine practices an advanced form of meridian balancing following the same laws of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Homeopathy.

So how does it work?  All biochemical processes within living organisms are administered by information systems that are electromagnetic in nature. This means, electromagnetic energy, in the form of protons and electrons govern all chemical reactions. Without this electro magnetic energy, chemical reactions could not take place and therefore life could not exist.

Science has demonstrated as far back as the 1940’s, that all biochemical and biological systems are influences by minute electromagnetic fields. This is where the basic philosophy of Mora therapy was founded. Mora therapy is a very efficient and non invasive method of rebalancing the bodies own biophysical ‘electronic’ information. Mora therapy aims to rebalance the meridian systems within your body.

Within Traditional Chinese medicine, each meridian is responsible for a particular type of organ or body system etc. If at any one time, there is a disease state within the body, the meridian channel responsible for that organ or system etc becomes blocked. The Mora machine actually unblocks this channel, therefore promoting adequate energy flow around the body aiding in the body healing and regenerating itself.

Meridian information is recorded by the instruments that are used, much like a biofeedback machine that is processed, modified and returned to the patient in a specific therapeutic form. Thus cancels negative influences and amplifies positive influences.

Mora therapy can be used to assist with the following health conditions:

• Bacterial and viral infections
• Parasites/ worms
• Food sensitivites
• Heavy metal toxicity
• Hormonal imbalances
• Geopathic disturbances
• Liver toxicity
• Joint pain/ Osteo arthritis
• Skin allergies
• General wellbeing
• Severe health conditions like cancers patients will need to consult with a medical practitioner prior to any treatment.

People with the following conditions are not primarily suitable for meridian rebalancing unless specified by their health practitioner:

• Anatomically reversible conditions that are consequences of genetic defects, injuries or surgical interventions, or tissue deforming or destroying conditions etc.
• Life threatening conditions such as cardiac infarct, toxicosis, stroke, acute pulmonary embolism etc
• Psychiatric conditions
• Malignancies
• Post organ transplant
• Early pregnancy
• Those with electrical devices attached to their bodies. Eg. heart pacemakers, pain killing devices etc.

Please remember that meridian rebalancing is not able to treat any disease or condition but it is able to endeavour to retain meridian harmony.