A question asked many times over the last decade is whether meditation is more effective than medication in managing your mental health and health in general. I put together a small workup about meditation’s role in the brain when taking some personal responsibility for stress. In that article, I promised I would do a deeper dive and feel the time is right, so here we … [Read more...]
This one small diet change benefits executive function and quality of life.
Have you ever heard of executive function? It’s the term used to classify our most important cognitive abilities. These abilities include working memory, your ability to say no, flexibility, planning for a goal, reasoning and solving problems.[1] What does this mean in the real world? It’s many things we aspire to have when our health isn’t where we want it to be. For … [Read more...]
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for mental health?
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a nutritional compound that seems beneficial for mental health and everything in between. Or at least that’s how the initial research presented. Let’s look into how it might help you. NAC, as it’s usually known, is a popular over-the-counter supplement and FDA-approved drug used for paracetamol overdose.[1] Interest in NAC’s use spans multiple … [Read more...]
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): A beginner’s guide
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO as an acronym, is one of many modern ways of handling and, in some cases, explaining irritable bowel syndrome and its symptoms. A meta-analysis and systematic review (where researchers combine studies for better conclusions) brought together twenty-five separate studies confirming the link between IBS and SIBO.[1] Some … [Read more...]
Probiotics: A beginner’s guide
When it comes to questions in the clinic, probiotics and their uses are top of the list. Probiotics are one of the most frequent over the counter formulas patients are using or interested in using before attending their first consultation with me. Their popularity isn’t isolated to my patients either. One review estimates that yearly sales of probiotics will eclipse US$64 … [Read more...]
Herbal medicine for Anxiety and Depression – Part One
Herbal medicine used for anxiety and depression is becoming more common. One study of two hundred and sixty patients with depression showed that up to fifty per cent had tried some form of natural medicine.[1] Another study from the USA found that forty per cent of people with moderate depression and anxiety had tried some form of natural medicine, including herbal … [Read more...]
Are the digestion and microbiome the missing link for hormone issues?
Your digestion and microbiome influence your hormone issues in a significant way. This article will explain why they may be the missing link in premenstrual symptoms, irregular cycles, and everything in between. "I didn't know there was a connection between my hormones and my digestion." I know, right? That's why I'm excited to write this article. Women living with … [Read more...]
Constipation 101: Causes, Solutions and where you can start
The number of people living with constipation increases in China[1] and affects anywhere from three to twenty-seven per cent of people in Europe[2] and the USA[3]. Whilst constipation affects mainly females and progresses with age, many children are also affected, with a quarter of visits to a paediatrician looking to address constipation without an … [Read more...]
Magnesium: Deficient in many, essential to all.
When it comes to magnesium and its role in around six hundred different biochemical reactions in the body, essential is an understatement. In this article, we’re going to break down some of the key reasons this vital mineral is one of the first interventions for me when patients initially visit me. We’ll look at some of the different forms, which one is best to take if … [Read more...]
Insomnia in a post COVID world: do the same solutions still help?
It seems so. However, as with insomnia in the pre-COVID era, unravelling what might have caused it in the first place is an important, complex and personalised priority. In this article, we’ll be looking at what the most recent studies say about how the prevalence of insomnia has changed during and post-pandemic, chronic insomnia in general and some solutions that you may or … [Read more...]