Healthy Food Pyramids - what proportions you should REALLY be eating...

Grains: are they really that bad for you?

Many South Africans have been interested in Professor Tim Noakes' recent writings about the evils of refined carbohydrates and grains in particular for many people. For a long time, I resisted the idea that grains (and wheat in particular) could cause so many health problems.  I had the feeling that, if you went to see a practitioner with 'alternative' leanings, you would undoubtedly be told to cut wheat out of your diet... it was as if there was an unwritten code amongst homeopaths, nutritionists etc.  I rebelled against this one-size-fits-all approach.  Then I discovered Tim Ferriss' amazing book The 4-Hour Body.  His "Slow-Carb" diet requires you to cut out everything from your diet that is 'white or can be made white'. Quite simple really! When I changed my diet and when I stick to it (!) I notice a definitely change in my energy levels, focus and most importantly body composition - less fat more lean! For me, this diet is close to what Tim Noakes is talking about, close to the Paleo Diet and close to what Weston-Price suggested.  I have noticed that when certain patients cut out grains, they feel MUCH better, and I know that this is an effect of then cutting out the food rather than some other intervention, as when they lapse and eat grains in any quantity, their symptoms return - often very rapidly!

So, if you have any allergic condition (asthma, hayfever, eczema) or any digestive or skin complaint, or are diabetic, have metabolic syndrome or any autoimmune disease (RA, SLE etc), then give a grain-free diet a try. 

What should you eat and what should you avoid?

Cut out all grains and potatoes. This means NO pasta, rice, cereals, bread or pastries, chips etc.

It really is as simple as that! You do not NEED pure carbohydrate foods in most circumstances. 

Instead, eat lots of vegetables, some protein at each meal (eggs, fish, poultry, red meat, cottage cheese, nuts and seeds, beans), oils and only a little bit of fresh seasonal fruit - particularly berries.  Do not drink fruit juice! Never ever eat margarine - use butter from grassfed cows or cold pressed seed oils instead.

I am sure you will feel better for it! 

If you are still not sure of what to do, buy The 4-Hour Body or Tim Noakes' book or see a practitioner who is well versed with these dietary changes and can help you with an individualised plan.

Help for Winter Immune System Problems and Infections

This winter, treat and protect yourself and your family against colds, influenza, sore throats, sinusitis, coughs and all the usual Winter problems with homeopathy and herbal medicine. Individualised homeopathic and herbal treatment as provided by a homeopath or phytotherapist is the best, simplest and safest way of treating many common infections and also helping to prevent them. 

ADD / ADHD and Behavioural Problems

Did you know that many children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and other behavioural problems have frank nutritional deficiencies? One of the most common findings in these children are low IRON stores. Ask your healthcare professional for a blood test for iron studies (ferritin, transferrin, % saturation etc.) as well as a Full Blood Count to check for anaemia. If they are deficient in iron, careful supplementation can be done under the guidance of a professional, as it is possible to overdose on iron and certain types of iron (e.g. Ferrous sulphate) may cause digestive and other problems.

ADHD and Ritalin?

I have just opened Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State Professor Jonathan Jansen's new book "Letters to My Children: tweets to make you think" and it was on the page:

Letters to my children #49

Never put your children on Ritalin; it is too often a cultural suppressant for a joyful life.

I couldn't agree more Prof. Jansen! 

Instead, feed them healthy, fresh, preservative and colourant free, low-GI food, get them playing outside and take them to a homeopath for individualised natural medicine treatment.

Discussion on Diabetes on Taxi Radio

Catch Dr Craig Wright discussing Diabetes, it's diagnosis and natural medicine treatment options today on Taxi Radio. Listen online at: http://thetaxi.mobi/listen-live/

Do You Have Metabolic Syndrome?

1) If you are a man, is your waist circumference more than 102cm?

    If you are a woman, is your waist circumference more than 88cm?

2) Is your blood pressure more than 130/85 or are you being treated for high blood pressure?

3) Is your fasting blood sugar level over 6 mmol/l?

4) Do you have raised blood triglycerides over 1.7 mmol/l or are you being treated for raised triglycerides?

5) Do you have low HDL (good cholesterol) - less than 1.03 mmol/l in men and < 1.3 mmol/l in women? or are you being treated for raised cholesterol levels?

If you have answered YES to 3 or more of these questions then you most likely have Metabolic Syndrome!

[see http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/112/17/e285/T1.expansion.html]

Belly Fat - over 102cm in men & you are in trouble....

What does this mean?

It means that you need to see a knowledgeable health professional to help you get yourself on track before you develop Type II Diabetes, heart or artery disease, heart attack, stroke or a host of other metabolism-related problems.

Metabolic Syndrome is a condition in which multiple metabolic issues result in abnormal management of blood sugar, blood fats and blood pressure in conjunction with an increased likelihood of inflammation and blood clotting, potentially leading directly to coronary heart disease, diabetes or stroke. Think of it as a sign of impending bigger problems as your body starts to decompensate.

The underlying risk factors for developing Metabolic Syndrome are abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Other associated conditions include physical inactivity, aging, hormonal imbalance, and genetic or ethnic predisposition. 

What can I do about it?

The good news is that, in most cases, it is easily reversible with a bit of effort!

Firstly, if you suspect you have Metabolic Syndrome, see a healthcare practitioner (such as a homeopath, phytotherapist or naturopath) who understands the condition and have the required tests done to confirm the diagnosis and also to ascertain your baseline levels, so that monitoring your progress is easier.

Secondly, start on a programme of lifestyle and dietary changes that are specific for you and your 'type'.

My suggestions for anyone wanting to tackle metabolic syndrome and improve their health in general, to avoid diabetes, heart attack and other nightmares usually include:

• exercise
• healthy eating (e.g. low GI but right for your type e.g. Vata/Pitta/Kapha)
• nutritional supplements (e.g. Chromium; Omega 3 EFA's)
• herbal medicines (e.g. artichoke, milk thistle, turmeric, adaptogens)
• patient-specific individualised homeopathic medicines

Thirdly, stick to a programme and get yourself monitored to chart your progress back to health - it really doesn't have to end in disaster.....!

An Introduction to Homeopathy and Herbal Medicine for new Moms @ Kingsbury Hospital

Here is a little more information about my top five first aid remedies for mothers and babies as discussed at the talk at Constantiaberg Hospital yesterday morning

• Chamomilla (Matricaria recutita)

•     Irritable, grizzly, restless children and babies suffering from pain or fever or inflammation. Want to be carried and held. They often have one red cheek, greenish stools and rather angry crying. If there is the full picture, you can use Chamomilla 30cH homeopathic medicine in drop or granule form and administer it as often as necessary to bring relief.  If the full picture is not present and you simply want a calming and soothing, anti-inflammatory herb to help when your baby won't settle or sleep, has tummy problems or is irritable or fractious, then give the herbal infusion (tea). Chamomile can be used externally as a wash to soothe red, inflamed areas - it can be added to the bath or even dabbed on directly from a moistened teabag of chamomile.

• Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
• cooling, calming and soothing herbal tea for mild fevers and inflammation, sleeplessness, restlessness, over-excitability.  Soothes the digestive tract and helps cool baby in fevers. May be helpful in colic. It has anti-spasmodic and gas-dispelling effects on the digestive tract. Particularly good in overexcitable, overimpressionable, oversensitive states. It is gently sedating. Also good if mum's anxiety is affecting baby. Can be mixed in equal quantities with Chamomile.  

• Elderflower (Sambucus nigra - flowers)
• Elderflower infusions can be used as a gentle decongestant for the upper and lower airways. The baby that responds best to elderflower is usually mucousy and snuffly, with congested nose and sinused, and perhaps congested chest and cough.The baby often perspires more when they have these problems and this is a good guide to the use of this herb. Elderflower opens up the airways and frees breathing. It can be used to help in minor colds, sinusitis, catarrh, hayfever, allergies etc.  Difficulty breathing should always be assessed by a practitioner.

• Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
• Calendula is the best allround herb for the skin! It is a wound healer and very helpful for all types of cuts, scrapes and grazes, including carpet burn from crawling! It is mildly antiseptic and helps speed up skin healing. It is a great topical application for eczemas, cradle cap and many other skin conditions, including rashes (may be used with Chamomile). If in doubt - try Calendula! It also works very well with the following herb:

• St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

• a great wound healing herb that can be used on its own or with Calendula. It is particularly good for injuries to nerve-rich regions such as the fingers, face or genitals (e.g. episiotomy). I combine it with Calendula and use it to prevent stretch marks and to treat cracked nipples. It is great to have a jar of 'Hypercal' cream around the house as you can use it on yourself and your baby for just about any topical skin problem. If you can't find a good hypericum and calendula cream at the pharmacies or health shops, then your homeopath should be able to provide one.

 Medicines for Teething

1. Chamomilla 6cH or 30cH - more grizzly, angry state
2. Pulsatilla 6cH or 30CH - irritable, but more sweet, clingy, thirstless
3. Chamomile and/or Catnip tea - multipurpose soother

How to Prepare a Herbal Infusion (Tea)

 Add 250ml freshly boiled water to 1 heaped teaspoon dried or 2-3 teaspoons fresh herb. Place a lid on the container to prevent essential oils from escaping (e.g. a saucer on your cup). Leave to stand until lukewarm. For infants, administer 1 teaspoon or warm or cool tea at a time. It is difficult to recommend a dose. See how much you can get in! It is difficult to give too much and if you are giving teaspoonful doses, giving it as often as baby will take it until it has its desired effect and then repeat as neccessary. For toddlers or older children a shotglass full of tea at a time can be given. It can be sweetened with honey or given in applejuice.