naturopath

Research in recent decades indicates  that lycopene, the red pigment in tomatoes and red fruits and vegetables, reduces the risk of cancer and heart attacks and helps reduce cholesterol. In the mid-90s a Harvard study found that men who consumed at least 10 servings of tomato products per week reduced by 34% the risk of developing prostate cancer. More recently, another study found benefits for women: those whose diet was rich in lycopene has reduced by 30-50% the risk of developing breast cancer.

Genes are not destiny, and our diet, lifestyle and reaction to stress can affect our genome both positively and negatively, depending on our choices. The epigenome are trigger factors on the surface of genes that control their activity and expression, by turning on and off different different parts of our DNA. As this article shows, diet can have a powerful positive epigenetic effect...

In these studies, interaction with horses was found to boost adolescents'social skills, dog interaction helped people with dementia, and in the third, pet ownership improvided social relationships...

Deficiency signs of magnesium include the following: muscle pain, cramps, twitches, fatigue, constipation, poor sleep, insomnia, irritability and depression. Magnesium supports the adrenals, which stress, poor diet and lack of sleep overtax - and so the vicious cycle continues. At our Perth naturopathic clinic we find that homeopathic salts of magnesium are often needed as constitutional remedies to help people under stress, especially those with sleeping difficulties. See our page: www.cottnat.com.au/insomnia-treatment-perth.asp

I can't say too much about this because I have to live and practice here, but it's true we live in one of the most repressive nanny-states in the world regarding health...

The polyphenol antioxidant resveratrol has been a controversial compound for some time. Does it slow aging or help prevent certain chronic diseases, and is it absorbable? New research suggests the answer is yes. But don't overdose on red wine. It is also found in blueberries, cacao and grapes, especially grape skins...

Over the last 3 decades, more than 20 controlled and uncontrolled studies have been published examining saffron’s potential to lower the risk of several diseases and improve health conditions (eg, depression, premenstrual syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease) in human participants. Six studies have examined saffron's effects on sexual dysfunction (ie, 3 randomized controlled trials, 2 case series studies, 1 crossover study)...

Dark berries contain anthocyanins. These compounds offer powerful antioxidant protection that has been proven to combat multiple pathways of disease. However, recent evidence shows these foods exert their effect in ways that go far beyond their antioxidant activity: they enhance glucose metabolism, clear amyloid in Alzheimer's, improve lipid profiles, have anti-cancer and antiviral activity, inhibit DNA damage, reduce capillary fragility and have many other benefits. This article outlines the properties of each fruit individually...

The salt of the earth, the salt of the sea. It's essential for health and bears no resemblance to the pure white, bleached poison that is added to processed food and that most people add to cooking or to their food at the table....

An interesting Star Trek analysis of meditation. Mr Spock, the voice of logic and reason, represents the left brain. Captain Kirk, who makes decisions because they feel right, is the right brain analogy. We want Mr Spock to give us the information but ultimately we want the intuitive Captain Kirk in charge of the ship...Meditation helps us achieve that...

This experiment speaks for itself...

I'll buy this, but only because I like cats...

The stress hormone cortisol excites and arouses us, keeping us alert and primed for action long after the trigger stressor has vanished. But, when as a result of prolonged stress, cortisol levels remain at higher levels, there is no chance for the adrenal glands to recharge in preparation for for the next stress alarm response. Chronically high cortisol from overloaded adrenals is bad news for a good night's sleep. Sleep issues and insomnia are among the most common problems treated at our Perth naturopathic clinic: www.cottnat.com.au/insomnia-treatment-perth.asp   

All is one. That is what great wisdom traditions have always said, and now it seems to be  the only rational interpretation of what modern physics has revealed. It makes sense that our real self, our consciousness, exists outside the hologram of time and space..."Within a hologram, the whole is within the part. No matter how many times you divide the whole, the part will always contain it’s totality. Just as higher consciousness realizations show that each part, as seemingly small or separate it is from total reality and the Source of reality itself, contains that very Source and vice versa. The deduction from the holographic experiments conclude that autonomy and separateness are an illusion and that all is one."

In this video, Gabriel Cousens MD outlines the issues with vegan diets. They can be healthy but they have to be done properly and with care, and vegans have to be aware of certain pitfalls. He says he is "99% vegan" himself...

Moderate sun exposure is vital for health and our immune response, and recent research shows that it increases nitric oxide, which lowers blood pressure. Lack of vitamin D has also been implicated in melanoma, while its incidence does not appear to be increased by sensible sun exposure. On the other hand, the chemicals in most commercial sunscreens have themselves been shown to be risk factors for skin cancer. There are natural alternatives, however,that give some protection, and here is a recipe...

Beyond its obvious role in regulating body temperature, sweating has been found to facilitate the elimination of accumulated heavy metals and petrochemicals, indicating that if we want to be healthy we should put regular effort into doing more sweating. As Edgar Allan Poe said: "The best things in life make you sweaty."

This study shows that skipping breakfast may lead to one or more risk factors including obesity, high blood pressre, high cholesterol and diabetes and may eventually lead to a heart attack...

As I have mentioned before, the bacteria in our body outnumber our human cell count by ten to one. They have far more influence on our health, and especially our weight, than has ever been suspected. We need to nurture feed and influence this necessary constituency, as they hold sway over our health more than our own DNA. In fact, they can alter DNA expression. This article outlines five ways to improve the health of your gut microbiome... 

This study shows how flavanol-rich cocoa can improve mild cognitive impairment. It is important to use high quality dark chocolate or raw cacao powder to achieve these benefits...

Systemic inflammation plays a large part in all chronic disease. Digestive disturbances, muscle and joint pain and stiffness, brain fog, depression, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure and many other complaints and vague syndromes: all are contributed to by inflammatory processes at work in the body. This article shows how the naturopathic approach to diet and lifestyle can help deal with this issue...