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...]
“I think I need to give my liver some love.”
The liver weighs around 1.5kgs and comprises on average around 2% of an adult’s body weight.[1] It’s fair to say that the liver’s role is potentially as undervalued as it is misunderstood. It might seem strange to hear that I think the liver is misunderstood but depending on how many coffees I’ve had, my patients will note my mini-rants around the notion of how … [Read more...]
Everyone tells me to reduce my stress. I don’t even know where to start?
I’ve been making a sincere effort to reduce referring to “stress” when talking with patients. Why? You might think it’s obvious two minutes into a new doom scrolling session on Twitter, but as soon I enter into the discussion with patients, I’ve just started to feel as if it’s a moot point. Here’s often how the conversation goes. “So, talk to me about your … [Read more...]
Leaky gut and its influence on digestive and mental health.
The term "leaky gut," its symptoms and causes, are becoming highly ambiguous to my patients and readers alike. So, in this article, I will attempt to clear up some of the confusion. I'll look at some key points to simplify things a little more and help you perhaps prioritise your understanding around its influence on digestive and mental health. Finally, I'll look at some of … [Read more...]
Zinc is necessary for IBS, immunity and depression.
Zinc is undoubtedly one of the most important forms of currency your body needs to pay its bills, especially for IBS, immunity and depression. It’s hard to simplify just how many of these transactions it pays for in a day, but maybe some fun facts might better illustrate it. Of all the trace elements in the body, only iron is more abundant than … [Read more...]
“I don’t know why, but by 3 pm, I’m tired and ready for a sleep.”
We’ve all been there. Lunch is over, the afternoon workload is looming, and the clouds in your brain are starting to form. Your brain always gets foggy around this time of day, and just as you feel it on the horizon, the bloating starts. Your eyelids are heavy and tired within a few moments, and you’re ready for a nap - it must be 3 pm. Feeling tired at 3 pm is a common … [Read more...]
Episode 10:”By 3pm I’m ready to fall asleep.” Introducing the 3pm slump
Click here to read the full article, or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite platform! The 3pm slump is a common symptom for a lot of people. You just have to see the queues forming at your local coffee spot to see how many people are silently going through the same thing. We've all been there. Lunch is over, the afternoon workload is looming, and the … [Read more...]
Episode 8: Is blood sugar affecting your sleep and waking you up at night?
Click here to read the full article, or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite platform! In this Free and Inspired radio episode, we will be looking at how to identify if your blood sugar is affecting your sleep and waking you up at night. “Now, it’s fair to say I prescribe a few things in the clinic that raise my patients’ eyebrows. No more so … [Read more...]
Treat your nutrition like your finances?
Does seeing your nutrition as a form of currency align with modern-day views of how our diet makes a difference? About three patients in this morning, before I started writing this, I heard a familiar nutrition-based request. “I want to know if I’m getting what I need from my diet.” I hear this request so often I devoted a section of this website to it! After years of … [Read more...]