Labor is trying to exclude natural therapies from private health fund rebaes.  It is your private health fund that you pay into so what gives the government the right to dictate what you can receive refunds for?  Treatments including homeopathy, aromatherapy, ear candling, crystal therapy, flower essences, iridology, kinesiology and naturopathy could be found ineligible.

Homeopathy, aromatherapy, naturopathy and more have been around for thousands of years – initially being used exclusively for health care purposes.  There are enough books and records to fill buildings, yet the government still argues about ‘evidence’ and whether these therapies are ‘clinically effective’.

You just need to ask those who have found relief with natural therapies after years of no relief using main stream medicine.

Which treatment is really ‘effective’?  Stand up for your rights.  I always believed Australia was a free country, with freedom of choice.  Obviously no longer – at least not with Labor.  Write to your local Member as silence = consent.

I urge anyone contemplating getting vaccinated or with children to read the research.  There is more evidence daily on the dangers of vaccinations and on countries either ceasing or delaying immunisation programs.

Low stomach acid rather than too much is what causes heartburn.  Lowering this essential acid even more can be dangerous and have long term affects on your health.

Real more about the importance of stomach acid.

We live in a world surrounded by toxins. Every year about 1000 new chemicals are released on the market, many not fully tested for their effects on the human body. Some are so-called PBTs or Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins, meaning that they are present in the environment and in our food chain for a long time. These are substances such as pesticide residues (eg DDT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and plasticisers.

Other more common exogenous toxins include food additives (including colours, flavours, preservatives), chemical ingredients used in body care products, cigarette smoke, industrial pollutants, etc. When accumulated in the body their effects range from immunotoxicity to endocrine (hormone) disruption and may also affect the nervous system, vital organs, cellular respiration, antioxidant reactions as well as mucosal surfaces. Some may even be carcinogenic. Then there are endogenous toxins – these are made inside the body as part of normal bodily functions and include histamine, adrenaline and more. If these are not excreted or cleared sufficiently from the body, they can be just as harmful as external toxins.

Toxins may originate from a variety of sources:

• Physical: weather, irradiation, light, noise, electromagnetic fields, radioactivity
• Chemical: pollution, compounds from our everyday life such as cleaning products, insecticides, prescription and non-prescription drugs, body care products, cosmetics
• Biological: bacteria, fungi, viruses, food, allergens
• Psychological: stress overload, psychosomatic diseases, etc

Metabolic reactions need to occur in a proper environment, free of waste materials and within an ideal pH acid/alkaline) range. When there is a build-up of toxins in certain areas of the body, the natural chemical reactions become slower and of poorer quality which, in turn, can affect all of the body’s functions. As the quantity of toxins increases, the reactivity potential and natural defence mechanisms of the individual decrease negatively affecting the body’s capacity to detoxify itself. This may translate into an evolution of pathologies towards irreversible stages where the conditions become chronic, degenerative or out of control (neoplasm). Many diseases that may then appear are directly related to the body’s incapacity to rid itself it its toxins.

Clinical detoxification supports your body in clearing accumulated toxic substances and repairs any damage that may have occurred. An individual assessment is essential in order to provide the support your body requires. Detoxification should never be undertaken without the support of a qualified natural health practitioner.

So what causes our body to over-react in this way? 

In order for any allergy to develop, the body’s digestive system must be impaired with associated poor metabolismm of nutrients, have developed a sensitised immune system and been exposed to infections.  So you can see, that the development of an allergy has multiple causes. Therefore, in order to treat allergies, we need to address all these processes.  That is:

• improve digestion
• assist the body to metabolise and absorb nutrients
• support the body’s detoxification
• help the body overcome infections
• treat the actual allergy.

Repeated contact with an allergen triggers an immune response telling the body that a particular substance is foreign and needs to be attacked or eradicated.  When a response to a given substance is immediate, identification of the offending substance becomes easier.  Reactions can be delayed for anything from 12 hours to several days.  These delayed responses often involve a different biochemical reaction within the body and make idetification of the offenfing substance/s more difficult.

Delayed reactions may be triggered by subsances the body is exposed to daily – basic foods, environmental toxins, amalgam fillings or occupational exposure.  Repeated exposure constitutes a large strain on the body.  Unlike acute reactions, repeated exposure may lead to chronic conditions.

Some common symptoms of allergies:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, palpitations especially after eating, tight chest pain, oedema, vertigo, either low or elevated blood pressure;
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, recurrent middle ear infections, ear ache;
• Thyroid disturbances, hormonal imbalances, adrenal exhaustion;
• Abdominal bloating, cramps, burping, colitis, constipation, Crohn’s disease, diarrhoea, flatulence, gastric reflux, haemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, variability of bowel function, candida;
• Premenstrual tension, menstrual difficulties, frequency or urgency of urination, burning urination, genital itch, frequent night time urination, urinary incontinence, bedwetting;
• Headaches, mirgraines, pressure, throbbing, stiff neck;
• Swollen painful joints; aching muscles, musclular spasm, shaking on waking, cramps, fibromyalgia, restless legs;
• Difficulty thinking clearly, memory loss, word finding difficulties, short concentration span, insomnia, headache, difficulty waking up, cranky on waking, irritability, tenseness, anxiety, panic attacks, overactivity, restlessness, rage, melancholy, depression, withdrawal, lack of confidence, confusion, seizures, persistent fatigue that is not relieved by normal amounts of rest;
• Asthma, blocked nose, bronchial and chest infections, chronic cough, hay fever, hyperventilation, nasal congestion, post nasal drip, poor respiratory function, wheezing;
• Eczema, hives, rashes, itching, dryness, blotchiness, pallor, excessive perspiration, chilblains, eruptions from direct contact with irrtiants, dry or oily hair, lifeless hair, brittle nails, blushed cheeks;
• Metallic taste, mouth ulcers, frequent sore throats, stuffiness, sinusitis, sneezing, breathing through mouth, swelling of mouth lips and eyelids, overproduction of saliva;
• Being over- or under-weight, fluctuating weight, feeling suddenly tired or chilly after eating, sudden onset of feeling unwell, bad breath.

As with any constant stressor, our body’s defences become exhausted.  It is no different when it comes to allergies.

An allergy can become masked or suppressed causing reactions to alter over time.  Examples are colic in an infant, bronchitis in the young child and sinus infections in the adolescent or adult.  How often have you been told that a child “outgrew” its allergy?  Whereas what really happens is that the target organ shifts as cummulative assaults on the body weaken different organs or systems over time.

Major offenders

The most common substances identified in causing allergies are:

• foods – wheat, dairy & milk substitutes (including baby formulas), gluten, sugar, genetic modification
• fungi – moulds, yeasts, candida
• chemicals – food additives (colours, flavours, preservatives), aspartame, MSG
• parasites
• viruses and bacteria
• vaccinations – thimerosal, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde, aluminium, squalene (preservatives and adjuvant substances)
• inhaled allergens – aerosols, pesticides, dust, moulds, pollens, grasses, soft toys, animal hair

As you can see from the multiplicity of allergies – causes and effects – treatment must also be multi-factoral and address all areas of the body that are affected.

As a qualified Naturopath, Dagmar is trained and experienced in treating the ‘whole’ body.  So if you are not feeling 100% all of the time, give Dagmar a call on 07 3287 3015 today and arrange a thorough health assessment.

Also disconcerting is that using even just one course of antibiotics can destroy beneficial gut flora for up to two years!

Our body is equipped with the best defence against infection – the immune system.  Nature provides numerous options to strengthening and balancing the immune system as well as helping ward off viral infections.  Protect yourself and your family naturally this winter – give Dagmar a call today on 07 3287 315.

Nutritional supplements, whether they be individual vitamins (Vitamin C, E, D or B) or grouped together as a ‘multi’ come in different forms.  Unfortunately, what type they are is not listed on the packaging.  Synthetic supplements cannot be utilised by our body and, as such, provide absolutely no health benefits.  Then there are minerals – calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium …. and the list goes on.  Clever marketing urges us to take calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis.  However, rarely are we given any detailed information about what type of calcium is needed.  Indeed, osteoporosis is more often than not caused by over acidity of the body.

Let’s take a look at calcium.  Taken in the incorrect format – especially Calcium Carbonate – it cannot be easily used by the body leading to build up in tissue.  This build up can be in blood vessels, organs such as kidneys or on bones as spurs.  More recent research has noted that people with higher concentrations of calcium in their bodies are more prone to developing autoimmune conditions and have a greater susceptibility to infections from Ebstein Barr virus which is responsible for glandular fever. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease has also been linked to over consumption of calcium (in the wrong format) due to arterial calcification.

Aside from over-supplementation, calcium storage can increase in the body in the presence of other factors; for example vitamin D, copper, oestrogen or insulin.  There are always many factors which work together in our body.

Another supplement which I often see patients wasting lots of money on is fish oils.  Fish oil MUST be kept in the refrigerator.  Secondly, there are extreme differences in quality and purity.  Due to legal constraints I am unable to name brands, however, fish oil coming from the Nordic regions from a specific company have been tested and accredited with being one of the three purest in the world.  The third temptation is to purchase Krill oil as the capsules are so much smaller – well so is the quantity of the EPA and DHA they contain.  Krill are also crustaceans and are best avoided by anyone with a shell fish allergy.

So the next time you feel tempted to purchase a supplement, please stop.  Seek the advice of a qualified health professional who is able to carry out a thorough health analysis (as opposed to spending a few moments talking to you in store) and then prescribe quality products that will actually have health benefits for you.  After all, these health professionals spend many years studying in order to be able to help you.

Dr Watts, D Ph.D., Calcium and Virus Activation, TEI Newsletter, V3n.5, Nov-Dec 1989

While some conditions may be warded off this way, others require other forms of prevention.  A prime example is malaria.  There are drugs often prescribed, however, even the medical journals warn that “there is no preventative medication available that is 100% effective”¹

As with most natural threats, nature offers 100% effective treatment or prevention.  Artemesia annua is a herb, an extract of which is used intravenously to treat severe malaria.  I recommend using entire (not partial) herbal preparations as a safe  preventative when travelling to countries where malaria carrying mosquitoes may occur.  The special blend of herbs protects not only against malaria, but also against parasites and other infections as well as digestive issues that may arise while travelling.  I have helped support safe (health wise) travels to various African countries, Asia, Papua-New Guinea and south America.

One of the most prescribed Malaria-preventative drugs in Australia is Malarone.  Recorded side effects of this drug include headache, fever, muscular pain, abdominal pain, cough, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, gastritis, back pain, visual disturbances, dizziness, depression, anxiety and other neuropsychiatric events, even liver damage has been recorded.²

So before travelling, perhaps consider natural options for protection and support to minimise unwanted side effects of drugs or vaccines.  Arrange a consultation on 07 3287 3015 today.

1. http://www.myvaccination.com.au/malaria.aspx
2. http://www.drugs.com/sfx/malarone-side-effects.html

Does this information totally confuse you?  It need not.  Ultimately what it is saying is that a moderate amount of saturated fats – whether from grass fed cattle or sheep or as butter or full fat milk – is beneficial to health.  Makes perfect sense if you also consider that our body is programmed to recognise animal fats and it uses these fats to help it detoxify substances such as heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium and others abounding in our society).  The low-fat options or vegetable spreads usually contain in part or all, hydrogenated and altered fats – transfats – which our body cannot recognise or remove therefore causing a negative impact on blood lipids (cholesterol) composition and cell membrane function.  It is for this reason that these transfats actually cause problems in our body.

In addition, regarding cholesterol one need only realise that the liver makes up to 80% of the cholesterol the body needs.  Kind of tells you how important this substance is.  If we eat more, our liver makes less.  If our cholesterol is elevated, it is probably because the body is making more to protect your body from toxins or free radicals.  So it seems counterproductive to stop cholesterol when our body is making it to protect us.

But, I hear you say – what about cholesterol and atherosclerosis and plaque build up?  It is not the cholesterol level that causes the build up in your blood vessels but rather the level of inflammation in your body.  A measure of this inflammation is homocysteine – if this is elevated, then the risk of cholesterol sticking to your blood vessels increases.  Always ask your GP to test your homocysteine levels. If they are not up to date with the wealth of information regarding homocysteine since Kilmer McCully’s observations in 1969, then they may like to read Steven R. Lentz, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, C303 GH, The University of Iowa and the AMA Journals on this topic.

Your health is in your hands.  For a comprehensive health assessment and unbiased* food recommendations, arrange an appointment today – call 07 3287 3015

* I give nutritional advice based on facts and knowledge of the body’s biochemistry.

Super Sperm and the Mighty Minerals

One in six couples is infertile. In 40 per cent of cases the problem rests with the male, in 40 per cent with the female, ten per cent with both partners, and in a further ten per cent of cases, the cause is unknown.

•One in 25 males has a low sperm count and one in 35 is sterile.

http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/stories/2007/05/30/1919840.htm

Fertility issues can often be left in the hands of the female partner, but it is actually critical that men address their role in conception too.  Even with issues such as miscarriage, it is equally vital to

support the health of the male partner as well. Whilst there are many specific herbs and nutritional supplements that can support male fertility, two of the key minerals when it comes to male fertility that can not be overlooked are zinc and selenium.

Sperm are actually more vulnerable than eggs to toxic exposure and nutritional deficiency. Unlike eggs, which are safely cocooned within the mother’s body and are only vulnerable during maturation, sperm are generated wholly during the preconception period, and therefore exposed to any physiological or environmental hazards present at that time. Sperm are also smaller than eggs and are held outside the body, increasing their susceptibility.

Issues with sperm health can vary from poor sperm count, poor motility (movement), poor morphology (shape) to fragmented sperm DNA, and therefore treatment options vary as well.

However, once causes are identified and addressed, many of these issues respond well to natural treatments.

Nutritionally, zinc is of paramount importance for all sperm parameters, and has been shown to increase count, motility and morphology, as well as overall fertility1,2. Zinc deficiency is associated with reduced sperm numbers2 and testosterone levels, and men with normal concentration have higher levels of zinc than those with reduced numbers3. Zinc supplementation has also been shown to reduce the incidence of anti-sperm antibodies in semen2, thus improving motility.

Healthy semen is rich in both zinc and selenium, which is an essential source of antioxidant protection against free radical damage. Oxidative stress is devastating to all sperm parameters, including DNA fragmentation. Unfortunately zinc and selenium are two of our most common deficiencies in Australia and NZ, with our ancient soils (and a major cause of high incidence of asthma and allergy).

Selenium has been shown to have an effect on Leydig cells (which produce testosterone) and can increase the production of testosterone, and lead to improved sperm quality and all parameters4, has been shown to help prevent DNA fragmentation5, and has been associated with reduced miscarriage risk6 (and as I mentioned for which we always need to also treat the male).

If you are looking to start a family it is advisable to ensure that both partners are in excellent health and free of toxins.  Arrange a thorough health assessment today by calling Dagmar on 07 3287 3015.

Please resist the temptation to self-prescribe as the form of minerals and supplements taken is vital to ensure success.  Dagmar uses only superior quality practitioner-only products.

References

1.   Carpino et al, Molecular Human Reproduction 1999; 5(4): 338-41

2.   Tikiwal M et al, Ind J Phys Pharm1987; 31:30-34

3.   Danscher G et al, Int J Androl 1978; 1: 576-81

4.   Akinloye O et al, Biological Trace Element Research 2005; 104: 9-18

5.   Chi H J et al, Reproduction 2008; 23(5): 1023-8

6.   Scott R et al, Br J Urol 1998; 82: 76-80