New Tests Available

Bit more on tests whilst I’m at it. BTS has just raised its prices due to the Euro, but happily not by too much. Also, there is a new stool test which will look for all bacteria, yeasts, moulds, pH etc as usual, but also digestive residues to see if you are breaking down fats, proteins and carbs well enough. Cost is £130.

Genova have also changed some of their prices, but some down as well as up, so good news. New tests there include an Antioxidant Screen including CoQ10 (£140) which is useful for everyone, but particularly if you’re on statins or have cardiovascular problems, Metabolic Syndrome as above and Adrenal-Thyroid Profile, as we often have to measure both as the thyroid won’t pick up effectively if the adrenals are shot, and vice versa, £140. All tests are done postally as usual and all relevant info is now on the new Tests section of the website so have a peek or ask if you need advice. 

The Three Key Factors in Poor Health

I read a fascinating piece the other day from Patrick Holford where he mentioned what he was coming to believe are the top three factors that combine in modern day to cause the most health problems. I thought you might like to hear them – and I’ve worked out tests for you that will check all three.

 

First, he mentions methylation. Here is what he says: “There are a billion methylation reactions in your brain and body every second. The process controls everything from making neurotransmitters like adrenaline, to turning genes on and off. It’s highly dependent on B vitamins.” The best way to test methylation is your blood homocysteine level, which is easily done. In fact, in January’s British Medical Journal, it was reported that homocysteine levels predicted no less than two thirds of cardiovascular deaths in 5 years and that this indicator is far more predictive than cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking or any combination of those factors.

 

Glycation is the next process he mentions. This relates to how you control blood sugar and insulin levels. “Glycation describes the loss of resilience in processing carbohydrates, reflected by fluctuating blood sugar levels and increasing insensitivity to insulin….It’s not only a major risk factor in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, but also in cancer, depression and mental decline.” Again, this is easily tested as fasting insulin.

 

Finally, he refers to oxidation. This is the ‘rusting’ process of the body, if you like. We produce free radicals from our body processes and in response to environmental, food, toiletry, medicines, radiation and other pollutants. Every free radical has the potential to cause damage somewhere in the body and is thought to be a major factor of the ageing process. For every free radical, you need to offset it with an antioxidant like A, C, E, zinc, selenium, CoQ10, lipoic acid etc from food or supplements. That’s why our 5-10 a day are so important. An oxidative stress analysis can be carried out, which uses aspirin as a challenge substance, to see what your oxidation rate and antioxidant level is like.

 

How to Test

 

Each of these processes can be tested using our usual postal lab testing service. The test required are:

Homocysteine –you can do this via a home finger prick test £75

Metabolic Syndrome Test, a blood test which measures blood fats inc different cholesterol fractions including VLDL, triglycerides etc plus fasting insulin and HbA1C. £70

Oxidative Stress Test, a first-morning urine test £65

 

You can have these done separately, or the total of all three are normally £205, but as a special offer, I will do them as a set for £180 during March and April. Give me a call or email to order if you think these would benefit you – I’d love them to be on the NHS and everyone over 40 has them for free – think how many people that could help, and how many billions off NHS costs!

How Our Diet Has Changed…

 

Here’s an interesting look at how our diet has changed over hundreds of years – a good indication of why we might not be at our best as a population (obesity/cancer/diabetes/heart disease etc) and a good reminder of what we should be returning to. I hope you enjoy it.

 

Our ancestors’ diet was 100% ‘whole,’ it had 19-35% of calories from protein, 28-58% from fat and a ratio of omega 6 to 3 was equal ie. 1:1. Mostly lean meat and fish with large amount of veg, fruit, nuts and seeds. It had a high antioxidant (ORAC) score and was very low GI.

 

We then move to our agricultural age, now a 90% ‘whole’ diet, a large increase in grain consumption like wheat, barley etc which contained more omega 6 fats, more grain-fed meat and less veg.  The omega 6:3 ratio changed to 5:1 and the ORAC and GI scores shifted to medium.

 

Then we come to the Industrial Revolution when we start to process food and we are eating a 65% ‘whole’ diet. We began to refine our grains and fats (think white flour and margarine) and introduced refined sugar. The omega balance is now 10:1 in favour of omega 6, we have a high GI score and a low ORAC one.

 

Next we compound our processing to create our modern diet. We introduce trans and hydrogenated fats, have a very low intake of the original vegetable matter of the diet – veg, fruit, nuts and seeds and are hooked on poor nutrition convenience and fast foods. Now 35% ‘whole’ as compared to the original diet with an omega 6:3 ratio of 20:1, a very high GI score and a very low ORAC one.

 

Oh dear. The consequences of this are many: lower nutrients for our body and mind systems to work efficiently, a gain of weight especially around the middle due to loss of insulin control, faster ageing processes causing early damage to tissues (as in heart disease and arthritis) and a much higher inflammation in the body generally.

 

This is crucial knowledge as many experts believe that most of our poor health is related to increasing body inflammation. Inflammation is totally linked to the amount of the different omega essential fatty acids in the body – and just look at the way omega 6 (which can cause inflammation when too high) has risen over hundreds of years, whilst the omega 3 (which dampens it) has reduced dramatically. Now, perhaps, we can understand why we keep seeing all these studies coming out about omega 3 seemingly helping everything from behavioural problems in children, to depression, obesity, heart disease and cancer in adults. Makes sense when you think about it, doesn’t it?

 

Have I made my point? What are you going to do to retrace your diet steps a bit? All the stuff I witter on about all the time. Reduce meat, eat more fish, nuts, seeds, veg, fruit and pulses, avoid trans and hydrogenated fats as margarines, processed cooking oils, ready meals, cakes, biscuits and roasted nuts and lower your grain level down. Eat food that’s as simple as you can and not messed about with and you can’t go far wrong. Lecture over – until the next time!!

Did you Know…

 that despite 72% of people saying they didn’t want it, Southampton & SW Hampshire health authority has decided they will fluoridate the water anyway? What’s the point in asking our opinion if they don’t listen to it?! Other area are going through this process currently so keep an eye out what’s happening near you.

What’s Your De-stress CD?

 

I felt quite stressed after a busy day the other day and so I lay on the floor and listened to some of my favourite music. It reminded me of when I used to teach stress seminars and one of things we did was try to follow a strand of music through a song – it really concentrates the mind a bit like meditation. Anyway, have a think what your favourite music is. It doesn’t have to be soothing – my favourite is Leftism by Left Field – real dance stuff! Just something that makes your soul sing. Thought about it? Get it out and listen to it more.

Get Wrapping!

I recently read that you can now get wraps made from soya beans – a bit like the rice pancakes I’ve talked about before. A good high protein, low GL alternative to flour tortillas that are easy to eat and very portable. You can get them from www.japanese kitchen.co.uk. Beware, though – they come as a variety of flavours in the pack and I noticed that the original and sesame versions have wheat in them, but the rest don’t. Just wrap whatever you want to eat as a sandwich in these instead. Miles better for you.

 

Whilst I’m at it, remember there are other great ways of making wraps too, without having to resort to tortillas. These will also work well: a thin omelette, rice pancakes, lettuce leaves, cabbage leaves, banana leaves, seaweed (nori) sheets or make your own using a wheat-free flour recipe. You could make a selection to get great nutrition and taste.  Here’s one of my favourite recipes for a wrap:

 

Use any of the above wrap ideas and pile prawns, a bit of mayo or sweet chilli sauce and some avocado in the middle. Simply wrap up and eat as you would any sandwich. Or, how about bits of organic chicken or turkey and mango chutney, a simple egg mayo or hummus, rocket and a few sundried tomatoes? Anything you would normally put in a sandwich (except sweet things, of course – lettuce and jam – yuk!) will go nicely in a wrap and they’re often quicker to make. If I am tempted very occasionally into a Chinese restaurant to have Crispy Duck, I always ask for lettuce to make the wraps with rather than the flour ones – they’re not fazed; that’s often how they eat it…