November 27, 2019
Person running up stairs, probably uses joint supplements!

Demystifying Joint Supplements…

When you want to get out and about, the last thing you need is for niggly joints to slow you down. Kelly, one of our in-house naturopaths has shed some light on joint supplements helping you support your joint health. Kelly, Help! There are so many supplements to support my joint health, but which one should I take? Great question! Yes, there are a lot and it can definitely be
August 10, 2018

How to look after your Gut Health – Herbs and Nutrients that Support Digestive Health

Looking for extra gut health support? In the first article of this “Looking after your Gut Health” series, we talked about the bare bones basics of supporting a healthy digestive system. If you missed that article, the short version is that it all begins with a healthy diet: one that’s low in sugar and processed food, and high in fibre and nutrients. Get that wrong, and the best natural health products
August 1, 2017
Why You Should Have Turmeric

Why You Should Have Turmeric Every Day

Before there were prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines, herbs and spices were the foundation of traditional medicine practices around the world. Fast-forward thousands of years, and researchers today are now taking a fresh look at the potential in these natural remedies. The Indian spice Turmeric is right at the top of the list.
August 1, 2017
Health Benefits of Turmeric

4 Health Benefits of Turmeric

1. It may help protect the heart Inflammation can stiffen the heart muscle by stimulating extra collagen to form around heart cells – this forces the heart to work harder. Curcumin may help prevent this process. 2. It may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Curcumin may help preserve memory and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
August 1, 2017
getting the right omega 6

Getting the right Omega 6 balance with flaxseed oil

Omega 6 fatty acids: what they are and why you need them What exactly are Omega 6 fatty acids, and why do some experts say they’re bad for us? How does Omega 6 differ from Omega 3 or 9? If you find all the information about the omega family confusing, this article should help to clear things up.
July 18, 2017
4-food-swaps

4 simple food swaps that to help keep your energy levels up

Wish your energy levels were higher? It all starts with your cells… If you regularly wake up tired, and then end each day sprawled out on the couch, you’ve probably wished for more energy. To make that happen, it helps to understand your body’s energy-production process. If you zoom in to a cellular level, you’ll find that every single cell in your body contains several little organelles called mitochondria.
June 26, 2017
Omega 6 fatty acids: what they are and why you need them What exactly are Omega 6 fatty acids, and why do some experts say they’re bad for us?  How does Omega 6 differ from Omega 3 or 9?  If you find all the information about the omega family confusing, this article should help to clear things up. First, the basics. Fatty acids are the building blocks that make up the mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated  fats and oils in our diets.  Our bodies require them in the same way they require other nutrients, e.g. amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Fatty acids are divided into three major groups according to their chemical structure: Omega 3, 6 and 9.  Omega 6 fatty acids can help to maintain heart1, skin and hormonal health, IF they’re in balance with the other omegas in your diet.  Omega 6 fatty acids also play a role in forming hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins, which can affect our health and wellbeing in various ways.  They also make up a significant proportion of our cell membranes. What’s the right Omega 6 balance? Research suggests that we need an Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio of around 2-4:1 to support optimal wellbeing and health.  Unfortunately, the balance of these fatty acids in our Western diet is often closer to 14-25:12. In these ratios, the prostaglandins that we produce can actually create inflammation in our various systems, rather than countering it.  The result is that instead of supporting our health, Omega 6 fatty acids may make certain inflammatory conditions worse. Of course, this isn’t to say that we should avoid Omega 6 fatty acids completely.  However, it does mean that we need to ensure our intake is in balance with our intake of other omega fatty acids. Flaxseed oil is one of the most balanced natural Omega 6 sources Many wholegrain and plant foods contain Omega 6 fatty acids. However, none of them contain Omega 6 in a more naturally balanced ratio with other omegas than flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil is extracted from the seeds of the flax (Linum usitatissimum) bush. Omega ratios can vary somewhat between individual flaxseed oils, but an Omega 3 content of anything up to 65% is not unusual.  Because the remaining fatty acids include both Omega 6 and 9, flaxseed oil is an ideal choice to provide a balanced omega intake. What to look for in a flaxseed oil supplement Omega 6 oils are particularly heat-sensitive, so ensure that any supplement you choose is cold-pressed.   They also oxidise easily, so it’s important to store liquid flaxseed oil in a completely airtight bottle in the fridge. Or, alternatively, choose a capsule – not only do many people find capsules more convenient to take, but encapsulating the oil helps to prevent oxidation. Finally, try to find an organic product.  If the flaxseeds have been grown organically, they’re certified as being free of toxic residues from pesticides or fertilizers.  And the fewer of those you take in, the better! 1William S. Harris, Dariush Mozaffarian,; Eric Rimm, Penny Kris-Etherton, Lawrence L. Rudel, Lawrence J. Appel, Marguerite M. Engler, Mary B. Engler, Frank Sacks. Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease. Circulation. 2009;119:902-907 2http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/flaxseed-oil-000304.htm

Dealing With Kids That are Picky Eaters

When it comes to serving your kids nutritious meals, most parents will have experienced – at least once ‐ being confronted with screwed up faces and a blatant refusal to try certain foods. Unfortunately it is most often vegetables that appear to be the culprit when it comes to bringing out the devil in your usually angelic child. Meal times can become a battle of wills which, at the end
June 1, 2017
Which-food-boost-memory

Which Foods Can Boost Your Memory

There’s no argument that physical and cognitive exercise can benefit your mental ability. However, why stop there? Just like topping up your car with a specific type of fuel for the best performance, you should feed your body with the appropriate foods for optimum functioning. Part of preventing the risks of certain health conditions is to maintain your body’s wellbeing in the best way possible.