Magnesium

  • Exclusion diet/ Gluten Free/ Healthy Food

    Given up Gluten Grains ?- what you need to stay Healthy…

    Natural fresh healthy food Gluten Free

    Given up Gluten Grains?

    Well the media are at it again with their fear tactics and poor science. According to latest reports giving up Gluten could ‘make you more prone to developing Heart Disease and Diabetes’.

    Let me just turn this around for a moment and query whether they are saying that they have scientific studies that prove that eating bread, biscuits and cake prevent Heart Disease and Diabetes?

    NO – all the latest research shows the complete opposite.

    Let’s look at the facts.

    • The studies quoted were mainly based on the fibre content and lack of some nutrients connected to not eating Whole Grains.
    • The majority of gluten grains consumed in the developed World are highly processed.
    • Processing grains strips away the bran and the germ – removing more than half the B vitamins, 90% of the Vitamin E, most of the minerals and virtually all of the fibre.
    • The rise in Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes has been epidemic over the last 40 years when Governments have been pushing high carbohydrate, low salt, low fat diets.
    • People that develop Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes often are overweight and eat a nutrient poor diet.
    • Latest research in many Countries is confirming that a Low Carb, High Good Fats diet can prevent and even reverse both Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease and Government guidelines are being adjusted accordingly.

    What Nutrients do wholegrains contain?

    Processed flour products usually have some vitamins added back in plus sugar and salt to make up for the lack of flavour. Typically in cereals Vitamin D, some B Vitamins and iron are added.

    Unprocessed wholegrains contain

    • all the B Vitamins – B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Biotin.
    • Vitamin E
    • Vitamin K
    • Choline, Inositol

    and the minerals

    • Magnesium
    • Zinc
    • Chromium
    • Copper
    • Manganese
    • Molybdenum
    • Phosphorous
    • Selenium

    Therefore if you find you need a Gluten Free Diet for managing IBS, Coeliac or Non-Coeliac gluten Sensitivity, any other inflammatory Bowel disease or Autoimmune Disorders it is important that you eat a varied diet that supplies these nutrients. This is not hard as these nutrients are in many other foods but it does become difficult if you also are limited to a vegetarian or vegan diet and in those circumstances I would suggest enlisting the help of a Nutritionist. If you are Paleo then you may not want to eat some of the foods on this list but for the sake of nutrition I prefer to eat what I term a modified Paleo diet and include them.

    I follow a Gluten free diet and am also dairy free. Many people that are sensitive to Gluten are also sensitive to Dairy, including people with Coeliac Disease. I like to include some non-gluten grains that I tolerate well and one of the important ones is Oats. Some people might contest this but as long as I buy GF Oats I find they are OK. Oats contain much higher levels of iron and Magnesium than wheat and also plenty of soluble fibre rather than the irritating bran fibre.

     

    What to eat to stay Healthy when Gluten Free

    GRAINS

    Non GMO Corn, GF Oats, Brown Rice, Quinoa, buckwheat and millet.

    VEGETABLES and Legumes

    Leafy Green Vegetables, Avocados, carrots, sweet potato, alfalfa, kelp, tomatoes, Broccoli, mushrooms, peas, beans, lentils, onions, garlic.

    MEAT and FISH

    All meats, liver, pate and other offal for the important vitamin B content. Fish, oily fish and seafood.

    EGGS

    FRUIT

    Melon, Bananas, fresh oranges, grapefruit, apricots, prunes.

    NUTS and SEEDS

    Almonds, Brazil nuts, Pecans, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame seeds, Flaxseeds.

    DAIRY

    Live Yogurt, Cheese, Milk. If you eat dairy or not I would add a good Probiotic as it is in the Gut that we make the most B Vitamins and neurotransmitters.

    Green Tea and Dark Chocolate

    for good sources of Vitamin K and Magnesium

    If you eat a good selection of these foods on a regular basis you will not be nutrient deficient or be lacking in Fibre but you will definitely be free of the chemicals they spray grains with (like Glyphosate) free from inflammation

    and

    Healthy!

     

     

    Related posts:

    No related posts.

  • 10 portions Fruit and Vegetables a day/ Health/ Magnesium

    Magnesium deficiency Stats Reveal All

    Magnesium

    Magnesium deficiency is commonplace and can have quite an impact on your health.

    These Magnesium stats reveal all.

    Magnesium content in vegetables has declined up to 80% since 1950 and modern processing of grains for flour and pasta removes 80-90% of total magnesium. No wonder we are now being told that we have to eat 10 portions of fruit and vegetables a day to remain healthy!

    The World Health Organisation states that 75% of the population do not  reach the RDA for Magnesium of 300mg.

    What factors affect our levels of cellular Magnesium?

    • Stress and illness
    • carbonated drinks – phosphates bind to Magnesium
    • caffeine causes more Magnesium to be excreted through the kidneys
    • refined sugar does as well
    • taking Calcium supplements without Magnesium

    Magnesium is in your cells and the intercellular spaces so cannot be accurately measured with blood tests.

    Symptoms of Magnesium deficiency are  muscular cramps, poor sleep, anxiety, times of hyperactivity, chronic pain and heart problems but you can be deficient and not have identifiable or constant symptoms.

    Magnesium can be found in leafy green veg, wholegrain cereals, brown rice, nuts, pumpkin and other seeds, beans, fish and seafood, cocoa and dark chocolate.

    Here is a YouTube video from David Perlmutter MD that explains just how important Magnesium is for health.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmNIL3lo_Jg&sns=em

    Related posts:

    No related posts.

  • Anaemia/ Autoimmune diseases/ Blood sugar management/ Cancer Prevention/ Energy/ Immune System/ Stress Reduction/ Supplements

    B Vitamins and Autoimmune Disease

    B Vitamins

    There are eight numbered B Vitamins that are all important for cellular metabolism but with more recent findings we know the importance of some B Vitamins and Autoimmune Disease.

    People who suffer from Autoimmune Diseases and/or have genetic mutations that affect the way Vitamin B is used in the body may benefit from supplementing the natural forms of B6 (Pyridoxine), B9 (Folate) and B12 (Cobalamin). These three vitamins are critical for for supporting the methyl cycle and DNA and RNA synthesis. B Vitamins are all water soluble and easily lost or destroyed by water, heat processing, roasting and canning. Elevated homocysteine is a proven factor for cardio vascular disease and taking B6, B9 and B12 can lower Homocysteine levels.

    Vitamin B6 as the co-enzyme form Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, P5’P  is used in the metabolism of proteins and fats and is necessary for creating glucose from these foods and is also essential for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and red blood cells. It is necessary for the production of Hydrochloric acid and the absorption of Magnesium and B12. Helps the body metabolise and transport selenium and zinc, is a natural diuretic and alleviates nausea. It is involved in converting 5-HTP into Serotonin and also the calming neurotransmitter GABA.

    Signs of Deficiency are

    • Anaemia not corrected by iron
    • poor sleep
    • kidney stones
    • morning sickness
    • PMS – Premenstrual Syndrome
    • Skin rashes and dry skin
    • Anxiety and nervousness
    • Insulin Resistance
    • muscle spasms and cramps
    • Carpal Tunnel syndrome
    •  Asperger’s and Autism
    • Heart Disease

    Causes of deficiency are Read More →

    Related posts:

    No related posts.

  • Five Tibetan Rites/ Health/ Healthy Food/ Mindfulness/ Mineral Depletion/ Sleep/ Stress Reduction

    Mindfulness, stress reduction and sleep.

    Apple icon

    Mindfulness, stress reduction and sleep – who doesn’t need help with these things in their busy lives. If we are stressed, tired and not getting enough sleep we make poor food choices, poor decisions and we don’t work efficiently.

    Start the day right…. in the morning it can help to have a ‘Ritual’. You may already have one but not call it a Ritual and to me, the main difference is that you might do the same things each morning but you probably do them while thinking about everything else you have to do that day/week or while multitasking with emails and internet. It can really help to start the day calm and energised if you do a few things living ‘in the moment’ and concentrating as well as enjoying what you are doing.

    Most mornings this is my Ritual… On waking, drink some water. Go to the loo and splash my face with water. I pull the blinds up to see what kind of a day it is – this morning was a gorgeous golden sunrise, which was a bonus! I then spend a few minutes doing some exercises/stretching, which for me is The Five Tibetan Rites (there is a separate Post on this in Contents). It is easy to do this on automatic but I find it is much more beneficial if I do it with strength and purpose and also paying attention to deep breathing. I end my repetitions with ‘Pose of a Child’ and then a kneeling prayer position ‘Namaste’. Find whatever exercise or stretching you can do and build on it every week – it will stretch and warm up your muscles and joints and help get plenty of oxygen and lymph flowing around your body.

    I then wash and dress. Breakfast varies with how I feel but I always love 1 or 2 coffees – black with a 1/4 tsp Coconut oil. This morning I had Paleo pancakes (made with banana, egg and almond butter) with pecan nuts and maple syrup..YUM! That is a treat about once a week, other days I might have a herb omelette, or rice cereal with a banana and coconut milk and sometimes I just have a couple of dates and some walnuts or almonds or a piece of fruit. If you burn a lot of energy and like a cooked breakfast then bacon, quality sausages, eggs, avocado, mushrooms are all good options and better than cereal and toast.

    If you can avoid doing anything else while eating and drinking then great – think about what you are eating and enjoy every mouthful, enjoying holding a warm cup of drink in your hands or slowly sip a home-made smoothie while contemplating the health and energy giving ingredients. Read More →

    Related posts:

    No related posts.

  • Arthritis/ Autoimmune diseases/ Energy/ Exclusion diet/ Health/ Inflammation/ Mineral Depletion/ Sizzling Minerals

    Confessions of a Nutritionist…..

    Confessions of a Nutritionist …..

     I have been writing this blog pretty much anonymously for several years

    but today I am going to share A LOT!

    After years of good nutritional food and a small fortune spent on supplements I found myself looking and feeling well below par. Several years of high stress and poor sleep had taken a toll and the signs and symptoms were many.

    • Poor sleep with erratic patterns – difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently or early
    • Low energy
    • Poor concentration and hyperactive mind/anxieties
    • Poor digestion and IBS
    • Joint pains and stiffness pretty much everywhere
    • Sinus and throat congestion
    • Ear infections, wax and pain with some loss of hearing and sensitivity to loud noises
    • Dry, irritable eyes
    • Fungal and viral foot infections
    • slow, irregular heartbeat 49-52 average
    • Low Blood Pressure 100/56
    • Lack of appetite
    • Poor blood sugar control, often feeling dizzy or shaky prior to eating.

    A lot of these symptoms could be considered sub-clinical disease but at this stage they just spoil your quality of life and make you look tired and worn out as in the picture above. My hair was always dry and thinning a lot, skin and eyes were lack lustre. My dry skin was becoming thin and crêpey and my nails also dry with deep vertical lines and they would laminate and break easily. I knew I had to get myself to a better level of health and get my mojo back!

    So I began an overhaul of my diet to get my digestive system working better. After completing The Autoimmune Summit I decided to do an elimination diet and then follow the Alejandro Junger MD ‘Clean Gut’ and ‘Clean Eating’ and after a month felt much better. I had lost 7lbs, had a flatter belly than I had had for years, had less pain in my joints and could even touch my toes. Gluten and Dairy free really suited me. The diet evolved to include rice, mainly brown or Basmati, some potatoes and some gluten free flour products like wraps, pittas and gluten free oats occasionally. I also included plenty of good healthy oils/fats like avocados, olives and olive oil and coconut oil and plenty of Celtic sea salt.

    So after several months of adjustments there was quite a lot of improvement – going by the list above about 45% reduction in symptoms but I still wasn’t sleeping any better despite frequent meditation sessions, my brain was still hyperactive, my skin, hair and nails were still suffering and a day looking after young grandchildren would wipe me out.

    Then three months ago I discovered a new Mineral supplement that sounded great. This product, Sizzling Minerals, was 100% natural and each wafer contains 600mgs of 75 pure plant minerals that are fully bio-available. Knowing about Mitochondria, energy and ageing – these seemed to be just what I needed. I like to be scientific about things and I always question everything so I took photos of myself and my nails before starting on the minerals. I already knew that I would need to take them for at least 90 days to see the effects but after just 4 days I found I had much more energy and felt happier. After just 5 weeks of taking them I was seeing a difference in the mirror so took the second picture. Then a couple of weeks later this one below to update my social media pictures.

    FullSizeRender (2)_e

     

    Not too bad for 64.

    I decided to join the Company, Simply Naturals as a Distributor. Their mission is to get 1 million people on Sizzling Minerals and feeling better and that is something I am enjoying being a part of. If you are a professional and would like to do the same click here for more info. So after 90 days I am sharing my health transition with you.

    • My sleep is dramatically better, I frequently fall asleep straight away, sleep for 6-7 hours and then wake gradually feeling refreshed and relaxed.
    • My concentration is 100 better, much more focused and no brain chatter!
    • Energy levels are really good – now I tire the grandchildren out. I have completed 3 on-line Nutrition courses and I am learning a lot of internet and Social Media Skills
    • My digestion is good and IBS gone, I feel hungry more often and enjoy my food more
    • All foot infections finally disappeared.
    • No ear or sinus problems
    • No more dry eyes
    • Blood pressure and pulse improved B/P 125/60
    • Skin and hair improved
    • Nails getting smoother, shiny and strong

    IMG_0687 (1)

    nails in March 2015

    nails 90 days laterIMG_0795

    So I feel completely confident in saying that EVERYONE needs minerals because they are so obviously missing in our food these days. Sizzling Minerals are a ground-breaking product that supplies what your body is craving ( I no longer crave chocolate by the way – so I know my body has enough Magnesium now!) and for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. They come in wafers in a choice of four flavours – Natural, Cherry, Orange and Lemon/Lime for a refreshing fizzy drink, powder or capsules if you prefer.

    They get to every cell, they detoxify, they help oxygenate the tissues, they are involved in enzyme production and they act as co-factors to vitamins to make any other supplements you take work more efficiently. They are essential for good health.

    Try them for 90 days yourself and let me know how you get on.

    To buy some  go to the shop at  www.healthcoach2000.info

    Available in Europe, UK and USA

     

    Related posts:

    No related posts.

  • Brain - Gut Connection/ Health/ Inflammation/ Leaky Gut/ Mineral Depletion/ Nutritional Medicine

    The Brain – Gut Connection

    The Brain -Gut Connection

    Brain Fog – ADHD – Autism – Dementia – Alzheimer’s – Anxiety – Depression – Multiple Sclerosis – Eating Disorders

    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – IBS – Tourettes – Schizophrenia

    The Brain – Gut Connection is being talked about throughout the Medical and Nutritional world. What goes on in the gut directly affects our mood, cognitive ability and brain function. We have known about this connection for years but mistakenly thought the communication was only one way – as when anxiety can cause nausea and diarrhoea and depression can cause changes in appetite but not the other way round. Now we know that the communications between the trillions of bacteria living in our gut and the enormous amount of neurons surrounding it are in constant two-way contact with the Brain and many are now calling the gut our second Brain. It also goes some way to explaining why we say we have ‘gut feelings’ and ‘trust your gut’! A multitude of conditions as listed above are now thought to have a connection to problems of inflammation and gut dysfunction due to the wrong mix of good bacteria or infection with toxic ones.

    What are the causes of gut dysfunction and inflammation?

    • Gut wall integrity is vital to good health. The gut wall is only one cell thick and has the surface area of a tennis court. Many problems can cause this area to become inflamed and leaky – meaning that the product of our digestion and bacteria which should be contained within our digestive tract can enter the bloodstream.
    • Chronic constipation.
    • Stress
    • Environmental Toxins
    • High blood sugar – when the blood sugar is kept high due to a poor diet of sugar and carbohydrates, sugar binds to protein in a process called ‘glycation‘ and high glycation leads to actual shrinkage of the brain as well as release of high levels of inflammatory chemicals called ‘cytokines‘ and increased leakiness of the gut lining.
    • Antibiotics -either given to us or to animals that we eat can damage our good bacteria in what is referred to as our Microbiome.
    • Lack of B Vitamins -that frequently follows antibiotic use.
    • Gastroenteritis and chronic infections with overgrowth of toxic bacteria like Clostridium Dificile and similar, difficult to treat infections.
    • High levels of Omega 6 fats in the body that fuel inflammation.
    • Exposure to gliadin, a protein in gluten containing foods, increases permeability to the blood/brain barrier and gluten increases leaky gut.
    • The gut is lined with gram negative bacteria (LPS) and if these enter the systemic circulation it triggers widespread inflammation including in the brain.
    • When we get inflammation and pain the anti-inflammatory drugs given may relieve some of the symptoms but the condition will actually worsen because the drugs also irritate the digestive tract. Frequently these anti-inflammatories are given with stomach acid lowering drugs which upsets our digestion and assimilation of nutrients from our food and also the balance of bacteria in the digestive tract.
    • Histamine Intolerance – caused by too little of the enzyme DAO (diamine oxidase) that breaks down Histamine in foods. Too much Histamine causes leaky gut and a damaged gut can’t then make more of the enzyme. Magnesium is also necessary to make DAO therefore low levels of this mineral also affect the gut. For more information click Allergy

    When the Brain gets inflammatory Cytokines it responds by sending messages to the Adrenal glands to produce Cortisol which can lead to more gut leakiness, further changes in gut bacteria  and more inflammation that affects the brain. The only way to stop the cycle is to heal the gut. See the Posts on Leaky Gut and Healing Your Digestive tract.

    Beneficial bacteria in the gut have another purpose – they manufacture neurotransmitters that affect our sleep cycles, and activities in the brain and Central nervous System. Inflammation in the gut disrupts the Tryptophan – 5HTP – Serotonin – Melatonin pathways which can lead to sleep problems, anxiety, depression and other mental problems as too much Tryptophan that is not converted to 5HTP will be converted into a brain irritant called quinolinate. If there is any balance or movement disorder then it can be GABA that is affected.

    TREATMENT OPTIONS Read More →

    Related posts:

    No related posts.

  • Health/ Homocysteine

    Cholesterol is no longer the bad guy!

    February is Heart Health Month and we finally see the end of Cholesterol being the bad guy. For over 50 years the Medical Profession and Governments have been telling us that we must cut down our saturated fats and cholesterol if we want to avoid obesity, heart attacks and strokes but in a dramatic turnaround they are now conceding that they were wrong. Heart disease is still a leading cause of death worldwide and obesity is far worse a problem than it was, we now have other major health concerns that have been accelerating like Diabetes, Autism, Dementia, Alzheimers, Autoimmune disease, GERD, Cancer and Chronic Fatigue – could there be a link? Could going low fat for 50 years be a causative factor?

    Cholesterol is essential, it is needed by every cell in our bodies. Here are some of the things that it does:-

    • It strengthens and protects the cell membranes -which could be vital in protecting us against diseases like Cancer and Alzheimer’s
    • It is a building block for the manufacturing of Vitamin D in the body – essential for our immune system.
    • It is essential to our neurotransmitters, nervous system and brain.
    • It enables the liver to make Bile Acids that break down fats and help us to absorb the vital fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Bile acids are essential for good digestion and transit time.
    • It is the base for all the steroid hormones; oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, aldosterone and Cortisol

    Our bodies manufacture Cholesterol in the liver, approximately 2,000 mgs a day. If we deprive ourselves of cholesterol in the diet then the liver tries to make more. It also makes more in response to inflammation within the body in an attempt to protect and heal cells. The average daily intake of Cholesterol from food is 200-400 mgs.

    So have we been trying to look after our heart at the expense of the rest of our body? YES.

    Should we be eating eggs, quality real meat, liver, butter, ghee, duck and goose fat, coconut oil, olive oil? YES.

    Should you be concerned if your cholesterol is high? YES because it shows that you have inflammation in your body, not that you had bacon for breakfast.

    What should we be doing to cut down our health risks for all these diseases?

    • Do not eat low-fat and fat-free processed food
    • Do not consume bad Cholesterols and other fats that have been changed by processing as in processed meats, margarines, corn oil, trans -fats, hydrogenated fats, rapeseed and sunflower oil that contain inflammatory Omega -6
    • Cut down all sugars: sodas, sweeteners, fruit juice and alcohol
    • cut out all gluten grains and products
    • get your Homocysteine blood levels checked and if it is high it means that your methylation processes are not working well and therefore you may be low on Glutathione which is the body’s strongest antioxidant. If so take a Homocysteine lowering supplement that contains methyl group nutrients – Betaine, choline, methionine, Vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid.
    • Help your body deal with detoxification and inflammation by eating healthy foods like Beets and carrots, Tomatoes, spinach, cabbage and Avocados that all contain Glutathione or help the body produce it.
    • Eat non-farmed fish and seafood often
    • Use Celtic Sea salt to help get 80+ good minerals into your diet and not just sodium and notice how much better your food tastes.
    • Get plenty of Magnesium into your body by diet, supplements, Magnesium Spray or Magnesium Bath Flakes.
    • STATINS are not necessary in the majority of cases – discuss with your Doctor and read more about these.

    I know it is difficult to comprehend, after all this time, that we no longer need to eat low cholesterol and that we can tuck in to eggs and bacon, good quality steak, chicken, pork, lamb, duck, venison because animal fats do not cause heart disease.  We can eat Avocados, coconut oil, olive oil, butter and ghee.

    I made all these changes and:-

    1. I enjoyed my food so much more
    2. was never hungry between meals
    3. became more flexible
    4. had more energy.
    5. I also lost 1 stone in weight from all the right places
    6. no more joint pain.

    Food with natural fat in it tastes so much better. The Paleo Diet is the easy way to get recipes and ideas but we don’t actually need to go back to the Paleolithic era we only need to go back to the 1940’s-1950’s diet basics and home cooking with lots of fresh vegetables. We also need to support sustainable farming, biodiversity, and buy more seasonal products and locally produced foods so we support our local economies. Go out and forage in your local neighbourhood instead of relying on the supermarket for everything and try new things, food should be enjoyable not just a necessity.

    Good fresh food gives us vitality and health.

    Processed, factory food gives us inflammation and a poor quality of life.

    Listen to your body.

     

    Click here to visit bodykind

     bodykind stock several good Homocysteine lowering supplements and Magnesium products plus Omega 3 oils.

    Related posts:

    No related posts.

  • Health

    Constipation in children

    What is normal and what is constipation in children? Normal poop should be soft and easily passed and if it occurs less often than every other day then constipation is likely or could be starting. In babies who are breast fed the poo is paler and yellow and more liquid than formula fed babies. In babies who show signs of constipation the first line of treatment is to supplement boiled and cooled water in between feeds and check their temperature as the most common reason is a degree of dehydration.

    Constipation in children under 5 years old seems to be becoming a much more common and worrying problem. It can affect their behaviour, their appetite and their concentration and it can cause them tummy ache and to feel sick. First actions should always be to get them checked out by their Doctor especially if they have any other symptoms like swollen tummy, severe pain, excessive thirst, weight loss or any blood in their poo. It is important to rule out any underlying disease or condition. If no cause is found then it is called idiopathic constipation and it may respond to increase in fluids, fruit and vegetables and a little prune juice or pure apple juice but in 1 in 3 children it becomes persistent and long-term. Persistent constipation in children can be a symptom of gluten intolerance and /or Dairy intolerance.

    So what goes wrong and why is it worrying? We now know that within the digestive tract we have a huge amount of good bacteria that are essential for our well-being. These bacteria make up what is called our microbiome and it is our own internal ecological system that supports our digestion, nutrition and immune system. We start life with just a few species of bacteria that we acquire from our mothers, in the womb, when giving birth and when breast feeding. Even though our knowledge about the microbiome is fairly recent it has been acknowledged for centuries that the first breast feeds give the baby colostrum and that is very important for the immune system. In the first 6 months the baby will only have about a dozen different species of good bacteria in their gut but by the after the age of 2 years the number of species increases rapidly as the baby interacts with the environment and starts to eat more foods. An adult should have about a thousand different species of good bacteria but this is increasingly not the case and the main reason is antibiotics.

    The younger you are when you have antibiotics the more damage they will inflict. Some antibiotics when taken for a 5-7 day course will alter the microbiome for a couple of years or it may never be the same. If your child has had antibiotics (or the mother has while breastfeeding), or had a severe case of gastroenteritis, it is vital that you try to repair the damage. The main symptoms may be constipation, excessive crying and wind,  poor skin (dry or eczema), poor immune system, failure to thrive and fatigue. Worse and the symptoms may be severe allergies, Asthma or Attention deficit disorders.

    So what are your treatment options? In many cases your Doctor may say that the child is ‘stool holding’ and because it has hurt when they have been to the toilet then they resist the urge to go and it just gets worse. The problem with this is that it doesn’t occur without constipation being a problem in the first instance so it is not a helpful diagnosis on its own. If the Doctor feels that the constipation is severe he may prescribe a laxative. The most frequently used for children are:-

    • Lactulose, an artificial sugar that absorbs water and changes the acidity also discouraging the growth of some of the bacteria in the bowel.
    • Movicol Paediatric plain or Miralax which are osmotic laxatives made of polyethylene glycol, a petroleum derivative similar to ethylene glycol (anti-freeze). These are not approved for children, or adults for more than 7 days use. The FDA has received over 7000 reports since 2001 of adverse symptoms of neurological disturbances and kidney problems.
    • Glycerine Suppositories that have to be inserted into the rectum with a lubricant and the glycerine acts as a stimulant/irritant plus lubricant to make it easier to pass hard stools. This may not work if the suppository is not pushed far enough in or if it is not held in the rectum for at least 20 mins. It can be quite painful and cause some gut spasms. If it does work you still need to follow up on other treatment to get the stools moving down from higher up or it may only be a short-term fix.

    Safer treatments that have the benefit of increasing the immune system are :-

    • Milk of Magnesia for ages 3-12 with a maximum of 30 ml in 24 hours and not for more than 3 days (only use for children under 3 on the advice of your doctor.
    • Prune juice, pure Apple juice & pure Pear juice are well tolerated.
    • Syrup of Figs for children over 1 yr. old following dosage on bottle.
    • Magnesium oil spray on the skin or Magnesium Flakes added to a warm bath before bed and peppermint or fennel warm tea that may help ease wind discomfort and contains natural poly-phenols that also help feed good bacteria and
    • Probiotics – there are good ones available for babies and infants (and breast feeding Mums) by companies like OptiBac and Saccharomyces boulardii that is a specific probiotic that can help kill bad gut bacteria and yeasts.
    • Effervescent Vitamin C drinks of 500 mg -1500 mgs can also be a way of softening and speeding up elimination as the body has a tolerance level of about 2-3 grams for adults and the dose should be lower for children.

    At the same time adjust the diet according to age and stage of weaning by leaving out gluten grains, bread, pasta, processed foods, sugar and increase fibre like porridge, brown rice, freshly ground flax seeds, fruits separate from main meals – especially raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, cherries, plums and prunes. Vegetables like sweet potato, jacket potatoes with skin, peas, olives, cucumber, broccoli and Olive oil, coconut oil and ghee or butter and live yoghurt if tolerated, and chocolate/cocoa. Encourage plenty of sugar free drinks like water, herb or fruit teas, as well as pure fruit juice diluted with water a couple of times a day. Re-introduce gluten grains, bread and pasta gradually when bowel movements are normal and if constipation or other symptoms return try omitting them for longer.

    Exercise is always beneficial – get them to learn to Hula Hoop! Specific Yoga moves like doing the Cat and pulling in stomach muscles or lateral twists where you lay on the floor with your arms out to the side and then draw up your knees together and roll them from side to side, while keeping your shoulders on the floor, are good and can be made into a game. Gentle massage to the abdomen is beneficial but only if you start in the bottom right-hand corner and work up in circular movements then across under the ribs and down the left-hand side.

    Most of this advice is just as appropriate for adults with constipation and I will cover digestive well-being for all in a other posts.

     

    Related posts:

    No related posts.

  • Autoimmune diseases/ Cancer./ Leaky Gut/ Nutritional Medicine/ Wheat and Dairy Intolerance

    Healing your Digestive Tract

    Healing your Digestive Tract and Leaky Gut is the key to your Health

    You can definitely do this!

    Terry Wahls MD has Multiple Sclerosis and had been in a wheelchair for 5 years and by changing her diet and nutrition she made an amazing recovery. You can find  information on “The Wahls Protocol” on this 4 min video here. After just a Year she was able to do an 18 mile bike ride. Now I wouldn’t promise that you could do this (as I certainly can’t cycle that far!) but get the right mind set. As she says “The Magic is in the food. If you don’t change your diet and you just take supplements – you are wasting your money“.

    What I am suggesting here is going to be the basic guidelines and if you want to know more I will point you in the direction of quality, easy to follow information.

    So let’s get started!

    First of all you need to prepare so that you can start in a methodical way and not get overwhelmed by the changes.

    Shop for the foods and supplements you need.You will need to eat more vegetables than you are probably used to so buy plenty of these but only as much as you can keep fresh at any one time. These are the things you will choose from to make meals in the first 14+ days and then we will add in some more.

    Shopping list

    • Meat and fish – buy the best quality you can afford and nothing that has been processed. If you can get organic and free range then all the better. If you buy a quality whole chicken then you will be able to get more than one meal out of it and boil the bones up to make a good broth/soup that is beneficial to the immune system. Lambs liver is cheap and nutritious if you like it.
    • Vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, salads, fresh herbs, all leafy greens, squash, tomatoes, cucumber, fennel, mushrooms, asparagus, bean-sprouts, bell peppers, onions, garlic, avocado.
    • Fruit – all fresh and frozen berries, lemons and limes.
    • Nuts and seeds – all kinds except peanuts as they are technically legumes (starchy vegetables). They can be toasted and sprinkled on salad.
    • Fats and oils – Olive oil cold pressed if possible,  walnut, almond, flax. Coconut oil and coconut butter are especially important as they have the ability to help you get rid of any unwanted yeast levels in the body and are a healthy form of saturated fat that is important in healing.
    • Dairy Substitutes -Almond milk, coconut milk, other nut milks. Coconut or nut milk Kefir,  Eggs.
    • Drinks – filtered water, mineral water, green and herbal teas (peppermint, ginger and fennel teas are especially good to help soothe the digestion.) Miso soup and coconut water. Apparently Yerba mate tea is very good if you are giving up coffee.
    • Kitchen staples – Apple cider vinegar, all spices, herbs, carob, sugar free raw chocolate (it is possible to make this yourself with cacao butter and cacao powder and I will do a post on this as it is brilliant), mustard and Celtic sea salt or Sel de Guerande from France as these salts are full of natural minerals and therefore not white. Sweeteners Stevia or xylitol if required but I prefer to leave sugar out completely for the elimination diet and I don’t like sweeteners.

    This is wonderful, real food and you will quickly start to feel better and have more energy than usual.

    You may get some ‘odd’ symptoms within the first week. These could include aches and pains where you haven’t previously had them, headache, strange dreams and better dream recall, changes in bowel habit and sleepiness. Most of this can be put down to your body detoxing and should not be severe. Drink more, especially water and this should help. If you have been a coffee addict and you give it up suddenly you may get quite a severe, migraine like headache. I would suggest giving it up by cutting down slowly.

    SUPPLEMENTS.

    In the first couple of weeks you should start with

    • L-Glutamine 500mg -1000mgs per day -an amino acid that can help the gut heal
    • Vitamin B complex 50 or Chlorella tablets (start with 2 twice a day and gradually work up to 15 a day)
    • Vitamin D3 1000iu a day
    • Omega 3 fish oils or Krill oil. If you have problems with fish then try Flax seed oil
    • A good Probiotic with over 5 billion live cultures twice a day.
    • Saccharomyces Boulardii probiotic which is actually a tropical yeast culture made from lychee and mangosteen that can kill certain gut infections like Clostridium difficle, E Coli and Salmonella but if you have blood in your stool, as in Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis do not take this supplement without medical advice. If you have blood in your stool and you don’t know the reason, see your doctor!
    • Magnesium which can be taken by spraying on the skin or preferably have a Sizzling Mineral drink that you sip throughout the day. This is a natural plant based mineral supplement that contains 75 minerals that are bio-available even to a damaged gut. They are available to buy in Europe and the USA and are expanding worldwide.  See video and shop here.

    N.B. If you have been ill with cancer or have any other illnesses  or treatment that mean you have a low white blood count or are immuno-compromised you should speak with you Doctor before starting this regime. For children follow the intake recommended on the supplement.
    Click here to visit bodykind

    Next step is to get a large shopping bag or box and clear out all your kitchen cupboards and fridge of the things you should not eat while on this detox. Out of sight – out of mind! We hope.

    Wheat and other grains, oats, Barley, Rice, Corn and their flours. Even gluten free varieties.

    Dairy, milk, butter, cream and ice cream, cheese and yogurt and for the first 3 weeks at least sheep and goat products as well.

    Sugar and all sweeteners except the ones on your shopping list

    Alcohol

    caffeine

    Potatoes or sweet potatoes

    soy and soya products

    all other fruit and fruit juices

    Finally gather more information and recipes and make a menu plan for a few days. If you want a cookbook Clean Eats by Alejandro Junger MD is full of great ideas and you can also find lots on the internet – try searching for wheat and dairy free or Paleo but check ingredients list against what is allowed at least in the first 2-3 weeks. if you have Autoimmune disease there are even recipes for Paleo autoimmune protocol which leaves out the nightshade vegetables. If you sign up to Pinterest you can save your favourite recipes and ideas easily. There are loads of websites and Blogs where you can get free information and recipes.

    Breakfast can be the one meal that people have the most trouble with but try to have some protein like eggs(with spinach maybe). Home-made smoothies can be a very nutritious start to the day, especially if you are in a hurry or not used to eating breakfast add a spoon of almond butter or a handful of nuts and seeds to add protein and stop you from feeling hungry by mid morning.

    You should not be hungry on this diet. It will stabilise your blood sugar. Have a few nuts and seeds (like sunflower or pumpkin) with you for if you get hungry or are late with a meal. Your lunch and dinner should be mainly vegetables or salad with maybe olive oil and lemon juice as a dressing and a medium portion of protein. If you want to stir fry it is best to use coconut oil as this stays stable at higher temperatures.

    I found that because of putting more thought into meals and food combinations I started to enjoy my meals more. Try not to concentrate on what you are not able to eat and remember that as your health starts to improve you will feel better than any “treat” made you feel!

     

    Related posts:

    No related posts.