HEALTH HUB Latest Articles
Cholesterol Lowering Drugs Linked To Back Pain
Cholesterol lowering drugs linked to back pain By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Back pain is common. It’s a significant cause of chronic pain, missed days at work, impaired sleep and depression. It’s also a common cause of impaired liver and gut health, due to long term ingestion of pain killers. In some people cholesterol lowering drugs may be a culprit. People taking the cholesterol lowering drugs called statins are 30 percent more likely to develop a serious back disorder. These findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and involved an analysis of 60,455 patients. The [...]
Case Study: Joint Pain
Case study: Joint pain By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Heide is a 28 year old Polish lady who came to my clinic seeking help for pain in her wrists, and she wanted to lose some weight. The wrist pain started three months ago. First it was just in her right wrist, but a month later her left wrist started hurting as well. Heide initially thought it was due to all the computer work she does, but when both wrists became painful and swollen she decided to see her doctor. Heide was given a blood test for rheumatoid arthritis, which [...]
Spicy Black Bean Dip
Spicy black bean dip If you love Mexican food, you are sure to appreciate this spicy black bean dip! Serve with organic corn chips, veggie sticks or on the side of your tacos or burritos. Black beans are high in protein and are a fantastic source of fibre for digestive health. Serves: 6 Ingredients: 7 Serving size: 80 g Total calories: 95 Protein: 6.2 g Fat: 0.5 g Carbohydrates: 17.3 g Ingredients 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed Juice of 1/2 a lime 4 cloves garlic 1/2 tsp [...]
5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Gut Could Do!
5 things you didn’t know your gut could do! By Louise Belle BHSc (Nut Med) Your gut, AKA your digestive system (or gastrointestinal tract), does so much more for you than simply break down your food and make you poop. Your gut is like its own little world, run by different strains of bacteria that interact with each other and thrive in the right environment. This is called the microbiome. More research about the gut is emerging, suggesting that it is way more important than we give it credit for. So, let’s find out what all the hype [...]
Is SIBO Causing Your Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Is SIBO causing your irritable bowel syndrome? By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Irritable bowel syndrome affects approximately 1 in 5 people. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is one of the most common causes. It can lead to symptoms like bloating, gas, reflux, constipation or diarrhoea. In the past it was thought stress is the main cause of IBS. Stress can definitely be a big contributor, but we now know there’s more to it. Food intolerance, too many bad gut bugs and not enough good bugs, as well as bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine are usually responsible. Diet changes, [...]
Glutamine Improves Gut Health, Making Weight Loss Easier
Glutamine improves gut health, making weight loss easier By naturopath Margaret Jasinska There are many things that influence how easy or difficult it is for a person to lose weight. The composition of your gut bugs is one you may not have considered. Recent research conducted in Brazil has shown that taking a glutamine supplement can modify the gut bacteria in obese people so that it resembles the composition of gut bugs in lean individuals. In the study, taking 30 grams of glutamine per day significantly reduced the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in overweight and obese individuals. [...]
Gluten-Free Orange Chia Cookies
Gluten-free orange chia cookies If you are intolerant or allergic to gluten and have a sweet tooth, these gluten-free orange chia cookies are a superb treat! Almond meal is high in protein and healthy fats gives these cookies a lovely texture. Makes: 20 cookies Ingredients: 6 Serving size: 1 cookie Total calories: 81 Protein: 2.4 g Fat: 4.4 g Carbohydrates: 8.8 g Fibre: 1.3 g Ingredients 1 ½ cups almond meal ¾ cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar if you can’t find coconut sugar) 1/3 cup gluten-free flour (or [...]
5 Beverages To Settle An Upset Stomach
5 beverages to settle an upset stomach By Jessah Robinson, Adv Dip (Nut Med) Whether the cause of your upset stomach be related to the stomach flu which includes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramping, and abdominal pain, or whether it is caused by indigestion, bloating or constipation, these 5 drinks may provide some relief: 1. Water It should come as no surprise that it is so essential to stay hydrated at all times, especially when experiencing any digestive upset. Being dehydrated makes digestion more [...]
Is Glandular Fever Responsible For Your Thyroid Problem?
Is glandular fever responsible for your thyroid problem? By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Viral infections are well known triggers of autoimmune disease, and there’s a specific relationship between glandular fever and the thyroid diseases Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Glandular fever is a contagious infection caused by the Epstein Barr virus. It’s also known as mononucleosis, and the infection is most common in young adults and the typical symptoms are sore throat, fatigue and swollen lymph glands in the neck. There are no medications that cure the infection. The only treatment is rest and strengthening your immune system through [...]
New Research: Fibromyalgia Is An Autoimmune Disease
New research: Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disease By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Fibromyalgia is where pain and tenderness are experienced in the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue. It’s a very common reason patients seek a consultation with us. Fibromyalgia can be mild or debilitating. It can greatly interfere with sleep and is strongly associated with depression. Fibromyalgia can feel like you’ve been beaten up or lifted heavy weights every single day. Pain may be chronic or intermittent and to be classed as fibromyalgia it must have been present for at least three months. It’s more common in women than [...]