Spotted in Silicon Valley last week at the 21st Annual Top 10 Tech Trends debate—an event facilitated by Forbes magazine and attended by some of the brightest minds and innovators. FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE = TREND #1. Agree, agree, agree! It’s a tremendous pleasure to see your life’s work take center stage at a prestigious gathering. Many thanks to the attendee who snapped and shared the photo.
#functionalmedicine #fxmed #personalizedlifestylemedicine #healthcaretransformation #bigboldhealth #forbes #techtrends
Low energy, tiredness, constipation, weight gain and fatigue can affect all aspects of life and are also symptoms associated with a thyroid issues.😞😖
A Natural Healthcare Practitioner is best placed to determine the underlying factors that are interfering with your thyroid function and recommend a tailored treatment plan so that you can regain your zest for life!
Speak with me today to help you improve your thyroid function and achieve long term wellness.🍃😇🍃
A Monash University sleep study is looking for first-time mums with bubs aged 4-12 months to help try and improve THEIR OWN sleep and wellbeing. The study uses evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical treatments over a 10-week period. Mums can do the study from anywhere in Australia, from the comfort of their own home, and will receive a $50 voucher to say thanks at the end. If you think you might be interested in participating or know someone who might be interested, please get them to access this link for more information! http://tinyurl.com/thepossumproject
Childhood microbiome health: the secret to resisting illness.👨👩👧👦🤗
Sharing is caring – a delightful virtue when it comes to little humans; but when it is a plaguing cold or a nasty tummy bug, it can be nothing short of a family catastrophe! Whilst these kinds of experiences can help children build a robust immune system, evidence indicates that recurrent bouts of infection may be associated with a reduced presence of beneficial bacteria in the gut.[1]
The bacteria (and the trillions of other microorganisms) in the gut, are known collectively as the gut microbiome, the health of which is essential for immune resilience and resistance to infection. These beneficial organisms directly interact with the immune system (a large proportion of which is also housed in the gut), helping to boost the overall immune response against pathogens. In other words, a healthy microbiome helps to build immune function, whilst a compromised microbiome reduces immune resilience.
Cultivating the Microbiome
Babies inherit their microbiome initially from vaginal flora at birth, in addition to skin -to- skin contact via breastmilk. This exposes infants to a wide range of bacterial species and specific carbohydrates (from breastmilk) that feed these bacteria, helping to establish a healthy gut microbiome.
Babies inherit their microbiome initially from vaginal flora at birth, in addition to skin -to- skin contact via breastmilk. This exposes infants to a wide range of bacterial species and specific carbohydrates (from breastmilk) that feed these bacteria, helping to establish a healthy gut microbiome.
That said, not all babies share these microbiome-building experiences. For example, caesarean section, premature birth, limited amounts of breastmilk, and antibiotic use can all impact the diversity of the gut microbiome. This can have a flow-on effect, leading to reduced immune resilience and a greater chance of developing recurrent infections in childhood.
This is perhaps most obvious when kids face one of the greatest immune challenges, where there is no shortage of germ-sharing… daycare (or school). Additionally, kids that experience recurrent ear, chest and/or gut infections also tend to require a greater number of antibiotics; leading to a vicious cycle of poor microbiome health and impaired immune function. Fortunately, research reveals that probiotics may be the key to microbiome recovery; helping to improve digestive health and subsequent immune function.
Probiotics to the Rescue!
Probiotics are live bacteria, which offer beneficial effects on the microbiome and help to support childhood health in several ways including:
Increasing the quantity and diversity of bacterial species in the gut;
Enhancing immune activity; and
While several probiotics species have been shown to boost immunity, it is important to choose the specific probiotic strain for the condition you are looking to treat. To learn more about this and why it is an important consideration when purchasing probiotics, click here.
Probiotics species have been shown to boost immunity.
Building Better Immunity
When it comes to boosting microbiome health in children, the immune building and gut strengthening benefits of probiotics have been shown in multiple studies.[2],[3] Several specific strains have been shown to help childhood health at different stages of life as detailed in Table 1 below:
Table 1: Probiotics strains demonstrated to boost childhood immunity.
Helps reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhoea[11] Reduces the need for antibiotics[12] Reduces acute respiratory infections[13] Supports microbiome diversity[14] Reduces gastrointestinal discomfort[15]
Less illness means more time for childhood
While the occasional cold or flu is a normal part of growing up, recurrent infections can be a sign that the immune system requires a little extra support. As discussed, resilience against infection draws greatly on the health of the microbiome, with probiotics offering a solution to help boost immunity and resistance to infection. To ensure you choose the right probiotic seek the advice of a qualified health care Practitioner who can prescribe the right probiotic for your child’s needs.
Which nutrient helps alleviate the pain of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis,[1] supports brain and skin health and also reduces the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease?[2] Not sure? Here’s a hint: it’s found in seafood and is particularly abundant in fish.
If you answered omega-3, you are correct! This essential nutrient provides a wide variety of health benefits as it is required for the healthy functioning of almost every cell in your body. Omega-3 cannot be produced by the body and must be consumed from the diet or through supplementation. Alarmingly, only 20% of adults meet the recommended daily intake (RDI) of this vital nutrient, with only 10% able to do so without taking a supplement.[3] It is for this reason, a good quality fish oil is recommended to ensure adequate intake of omega-3.
Alarmingly, only 20% of adults meet the recommended daily intake (RDI) of this vital nutrient, with only 10% able to do so without taking a supplement.
What fish oil can do for you
Omega-3 is important for all ages and stages of life, from unborn babies to the elderly. During pregnancy, omega-3 plays a pivotal role in foetal development[4] and also reduces the risk of premature birth.[5] It supports healthy brain and nervous system development throughout childhood,[6] and also benefits adult brains by reducing the risk of mood disorders such as depression.[7] In later adulthood, omega-3 reduces mild cognitive and memory impairment[8] and may assist in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.[9] It also reduces the risk of some major chronic diseases prevalent in Western society, such as cardiovascular disease and heart attack.[10] Additionally, it is beneficial for conditions characterised by pain and inflammation, such as arthritis.[11] Due to its diverse health benefits, it is important you choose a high-quality fish oil to ensure you get the most out of your supplementation.
Quality fish oil for best results
When looking for a fish oil supplement, you may be tempted to buy bulk quantities at a cheaper price. However, in the case of fish oil, you get what you pay for. Fish oil supplements that have not been sourced from a quality supplier or undergone rigorous quality testing often contain higher amounts of contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides, and/or higher levels of oxidation (rancidity). Oxidation causes an unpleasant fishy odour and taste, reduces fish oil’s effectiveness[12] and may even be harmful to your health. In the case of fish oil, you get what you pay for.
When looking for a fish oil supplement, you may be tempted to buy bulk quantities at a cheaper price. However, in the case of fish oil, you get what you pay for.
To get the full benefits of omega-3, I recommend choosing a high quality fish oil that meets the following criteria:
Sustainable: Look for products that are certified by Friends of the Sea so you know the fish are sourced via sustainable and eco-friendly fishing practices.
Clean: Choose a fish oil that is made from small, cold water, pelagic fish. These fish occupy positions lower in the marine food chain and therefore accumulate fewer contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides. Also, look for products that are further purified by molecular distillation to remove any remaining contaminants.
Concentrated: Dosage is critical to the results you experience, with a recent review finding fish oil to be ineffective at lower doses.[13] Ensure you chose a fish oil supplement that provides a therapeutic dose of EPA and DHA containing at least 500 mg and 200 mg per capsule, respectively.
Fresh: The fish oil you choose should be manufactured using processes that minimise exposure to environmental factors such as air, heat and light to minimise oxidation. For added protection, look for fish oils that are twice-nitrogen flushed – a process where nitrogen is used to remove oxygen within the bottle to reduce oxidation over time.
Tested: Fish oil should be tested at all stages of manufacture to ensure the final product is free from contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals and oxidation.
If this sounds a little too complicated, don’t worry, the easiest way to access a high-quality fish oil is to see a Natural Healthcare Practitioner, who can prescribe a Practitioner-only fish oil that meets all of the above criteria. Additionally, a I will be able to assess your health and omega-3 needs (via Omega-3 Testing or dietary assessment), allowing them to recommend the specific dose necessary for you.
For more information in finding the right fish oil supplement for you, please contact me.
Childhood microbiome health: the secret to resisting illness.👨👩👧👦🤗
