Nutrition
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)? HTMA is a safe and non-invasive pathology test. It measures the levels and comparative ratios of nutrient and toxic minerals found in hair. HTMA is regarded by many doctors, naturopaths and nutritional therapists as one of the most valuable screening tools available in everyday and preventative health care. Why test for minerals? Minerals are essential for growth, healing, vitality and wellbeing. They provide structural support in bones and teeth,...
Health Benefits: Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is packed full of nutrients and an amazing dairy free alternative to cheese. Some health benefits of nutritional yeast that you may not know are: It is a complete and excellent source of protein It is packed full of amino acids Helps to stabilise blood sugar levels Is incredibly rich in magnesium, zinc and B vitamins (thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, B6, B12 folate, and pantheonic acid) Is high in fibreIn the realm of nutrition, certain ingredients stand out as hidden gems,...
Health Benefits: Cacao
In the realm of indulgence, cacao stands as a timeless favourite, delighting palates with its rich flavour and velvety texture. Yet, beyond its decadent taste, cacao harbours a treasure trove of health benefits that have been celebrated for centuries. From ancient civilisations to modern-day science, the virtues of cacao have been revered and scrutinised alike. In this article, we embark on a journey to uncover the myriad ways in which cacao contributes to our well-being, from heart health to...
Health Benefits: Quinoa
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is an ancient South American grass seed that has been cultivated as a food source and exploded onto the western market in recent times, and for good reason! This starchy seed is very similar to a grain - but isn't, is gluten free, and an incredibly rich source of protein. It also contains all 8 essential amino acids, almost all B vitamins (excluding B12), vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, iron, potassium, has a low GI, and is very high in...
Health Benefits: Cayenne Pepper
If you're a chilli fan, you probably know all about cayenne pepper. Originating from South America, cayenne is a beautiful red chilli pepper, and is cousin to paprika, jalapeno and the bell pepper. It is the most prominent powdered chilli spice used in cooking by many different cultures in traditional cuisines. The abundant health benefits of cayenne pepper may surprise you, with some detailed below:Stimulates blood flow and circulationRids the body of LDL (bad) cholesterol, as well as...
Health Benefits: Blueberries
We all know blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants - in fact, most purple foods are incredibly rich in antioxidants.. but do you know about all of the other wonderful nutrients they also contain? The phytonutrients found in blueberries include anthocyanins (which give them their beautiful purple colour), flavonols, hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids. These all function as very powerful anti-inflammatories within the body. Blueberries are also very high in vitamin C & K,...
Gut Health
The gut is fast becoming known as our body's 'second brain', and for good reason. Unfortunately though, good gut health is often undervalued and overlooked. Not only is our gut responsible for digestion and the underlying structure of our body's immune system, it also plays a crucial role in our mood, thought patterns and brain activity. So it is no surprise that good gut health is now being recognised to underpin the basis of overall optimal physical and mental health. This is all down to the...
The Power of Pollen
Did you know that bee pollen's little golden grains are actually a complete food? They contain nearly all of the vital nutrients required by the human body to sustain life, perfectly packaged in a tiny floral, golden nugget! Bee pollen has been used and consumed by humans for centuries, and in recent times has been rediscovered as one of natures own powerful superfoods.So, what makes bee pollen so 'perfect'? This baby-bee food is made up of roughly 40% protein, around half of which are free...
Health Benefits: Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are a nutritious staple in our household, I even feed them to my dog! Chia seeds are an ancient Mayan and Aztec food originating from South America. They are an excellent source of protein, and extremely rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids, antioxidants (30% more than blueberries), calcium (6 x more than whole milk), vitamins B1, B2 & B3, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc and potassium (twice that of bananas). They are almost completely carbohydrate free, most of which...
Eggs Everyday!
Eggs are tasty little parcels full of so many vital nutrients, both macro and micro. One large egg will provide roughly 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fat, as well proving to be a great source of essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B2, B6 & B12, vitamins A, D, E & K, selenium, iron, copper, zinc and lecithen. The yolk also contains essential fatty acids and cholesterol (HDL - the good kind!), which can help to lower the risk of heart disease. The protein in egg is a...
Health Benefits: Mesquite Powder
Most commonly used in the modern world as an alternative sweetener, the ancient mesquite powder is sourced from the seed pods of the Mesquite plant which originates from Peru. Mesquite powder has an incredible mineral profile, containing high amounts of zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and the amino acid lysine – which also aids in the absorption of calcium. It is also very high in protein and dietary fibre, making it effective in stabilising blood sugar levels and improving...
Why I Drink Lemon in Warm Water Every Morning!
Lemons are a powerhouse of nutrition and, in my opinion, should be a staple in every household. Although a citrus and acidic in its natural form, once lemon has been metabolised by the body it becomes incredibly alkalising and naturally raises the body's pH levels. Additional to providing a wonderful source of alkalinity to the body, it is incredibly rich in vitamin C and a great source of calcium, potassium, flavonoids, B-complex vitamins, iron, and magnesium. Lemons also have very powerful...
Hemp – The Ultimate Super Food
Hemp is an incredibly versatile ‘super’ plant that can be used for paper, clothing, rope, building materials and much, much more .. But, probably its most powerful use is that in health and nutrition.Hemp is an ancient source of nutrients and is one of very few plant based complete proteins, containing all 21 amino acids and 9 essential amino acids in adequate amounts makes it the most complete protein in the plant kingdom. The protein found in hemp is 65% Edestin, a globular protein...
Ghee: What Is It & How Do I Use It?
It’s funny that for something that has been used in both cooking and medicinal remedies for hundreds of years, when I mention ghee as an ingredient, most people have never heard of it before!Known for its longevity qualities, Ghee has been traditionally used in India’s ancient Ayurvedic cuisine, as well as for ceremonial and medicinal purposes, for centuries. Ghee is a type of clarified butter (from cow or buffalo milk), made by using a very slow clarification process that removes all...
Health Benefits: Kale
Kale is definitely one of our favourite leafy greens, and for a very good reason…Kale is very low in calories (roughly only 33 calories to 1 cup) and an incredible source of iron, fibre, vitamin K (K1 & K2), vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, folate, manganese, sulphur, copper, tryptophan, potassium, phosphorous … and the list goes on!!Due to the ITCs (isothiocyanates) from glucosinolates in kale, this luscious, leafy green plant...
Are You Magnesium Deficient?
Due to extremely depleted soil nutrients, bad dietary choices and pharmaceutical drug use, many people today are magnesium deficient. Magnesium is essential for all body systems and deficiency has been linked to a multitude of chronic illnesses and certain diseases if left untreated. The best way to find out whether you are deficient or not (and by how much) is through testing. If you suffer any of the following symptoms, try increasing your magnesium intake and see if you find any...
The Almighty Avocado
I think avocados are possibly our favourite food… and for good reason! Not only are they FULL of essential nutrients and taste amazing, they’re also incredibly versatile and, additional to the food world, can be used as a wonderful beauty product that both your skin and hair will thank you for!Health Benefits…Healthy brain; avocados are full of vitamin E & omega 3 fatty acids – these good fats and folate have been shown to prevent progression of Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as...
Health Benefits: Cinnamon
Don’t you just love cinnamon?! It smells incredible, tastes amazing and is such a versatile spice – used in cooking, hot drinks, oils, skin care and fragrances. There really is nothing better than a good book, a comfortable seat and a big mug of warm almond chai, lathered in cinnamon powder on a cold dreary day… BUT, were you aware of the incredible health benefits this elegant little role of bark also offers?It is great for controlling blood sugar levels and aids those with insulin resistance...
Inflammation & How to Fight It!
Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s immune response, protecting us against foreign invaders and other harmful stimuli that may be of threat to our health. There is both acute and chronic inflammation; acute being the response to a localised injury or infection, and chronic is that of long term inflammation, when often no symptoms occur until there is a loss of function. Chronic inflammation can go on for years unnoticed, causing systemic damage and destruction of tissue. Present...
Oil Pulling, Have You Tried It ?
Oil pulling has been around for years, and has a vast array of health benefits – besides the obvious improvement in oral health. If you have been thinking about oil pulling, we urge you to give it a go. You can oil pull with most organic (preferably) cold pressed oils – we use coconut oil, however sesame has been proven to have the best oral benefit.Oil pulling should be done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and for roughly 20 minutes – with a tablespoon of oil.Swish the oil...
Health Benefits: Turmeric
Turmeric is known for its bright orange colour, and a commonly used spice in Indian cuisine. Turmeric has some pretty incredible health benefits and is used in many traditional medicinal modalities, such as Ayurveda, for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is a root vegetable, related to the ginger and galangal family.Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric, along with manganese, iron, vitamin B6, copper and potassium. Due to the curcumins anti-inflammatory...
Dairy Intolerance – Casein or Lactose?
Some information I recently stumbled across regarding dairy intolerances helped me to set a few things straight regarding my allergies that no one had been able to answer in the past (Doctor’s included).Lactose is a sugar (disaccharide containing glucose and galactose) present in milk and dairy products, and for many people, is extremely hard to digest. This is due to a shortage in lactase, an enzyme produced by the small intestine that is needed by the body to break down lactose. A...