Rapid fat metabolism helps you lose weight faster

The Rapid Fat Metabolism (RFM) program is designed to access the “famine” fat stores preserving muscle mass and structural fats as well as potentially normalising hormone levels. Specially formulated  remedies are used to rebalance the hypothalamus in conjunction with specific dietary protocols.  Together they facilitate the body’s ability to lose weight.

Weekly naturopathic consultations are recommended throughout the program to keep you motivated, on track and to answer any questions along the way.

As part of the weekly consultation a Bio-Impedence Analysis (BIA) will be a part of your weight loss program which will tell us more about your progress than a number on the scales!  This method will give us insight on how your body has changed biologically.

So….  are you ready for our weight-loss challenge?
Re-ignite your Personal Power by calling Emily and Fran on 07 3368 1300 to book an appointment.

“When you expect success, your mind focuses on success”

A recent article in Environmental Health Perspectives  reviewed some new research into the field of “obesogens” – everyday chemicals which can cause us to gain weight even if we’re eating right and exercising.  This is especially interesting to those who are overweight but cannot loose weight no matter what they try.

The research has shown that different chemicals have different effects on fat cells.  Some affect number of fat cells, others tell fat cells to become bigger, and still others affect the hormones that affect appetite, satiety, food preferences, and energy metabolism.

None of us are immune to the exposure of even low level chemicals on a day to day basis.  Whether it’s eating foods sprayed with pesticides and containing additives, using cosmetics or other personal products containing a string of chemicals, using cleaning products, driving in traffic or simply taking a cash register receipt from a sales person, we are constantly exposed to substances which even in low levels can add up to cause problems.  I liken it to collecting rain drops in a rain barrel.  Each drop represents an exposure.  At some point that barrel will fill and spill over.

2 chemicals of particular concern in relation to weight gain and obesity are BPA and PFOA

• BPA is a plasticizer found in the lining of some tinned food cans, some plastic bottles, medical devices like IV tubing, syringes, and cash receipts.  BPA is a very well know endocrine/hormone disruptor and has been banned in some countries.  A recent study had 75 people eat a normal diet but included 1 can of vegetable soup for 5 days in a row.  After 5 days, BPA levels rose by over 1000%!!

• PFOA is a surfactant used for reduction of friction, and it is also used in nonstick cookware, Gore-Tex™ waterproof clothing, Scotchgard™ stain repellent on carpeting, mattresses, and microwavable food items

How to get rid of toxins

Avoidance is of course the best policy, but once these chemicals are in your fat tissues, detoxification must include a way to

• Mobilize these toxins
• Help your organs to process and eliminate the mobilized toxins
• Supply nutrients which are specific for eliminating specific toxins
• Replenish depleted nutrients

But SIBO is not only implicated in IBS–it is now considered to be the underlying cause of conditions such as

-  restless leg syndrome

-  Fibromyalgia

-  fatigue and exhaustion

-  chronic infections

-  and much more

Normal digestion

Our digestive tract is divided into 2 parts – the small intestine which is responsible for the break down of foods and absorption of nutrients and the large intestine which forms stool, extracts water and produces a few vitamins.

The Large intestine is a hotbed of bacterial action–it is the home of trillions and trillions of bacteria which live inside of us and are part of the normal flora.  Here, they help us do many of the functions we take for granted.

This includes regulating bad organisms, such as yeasts and bad bacteria which can normally be found in small amounts in a healthy gut, but run rampant in those which have had a lot of digestive disturbances.

The small intestine, in contrast, does not normally contain very many bacteria at all.  We’re talking hundreds of thousands per gram of stool in the small intestine vs billions and billions of bacteria in the large intestine.  The body is pretty clear about where it wants these bacteria and regulates this by a “cleansing wave” of muscular contractions which sweep the small intestinal contents and excessive bacteria downwards towards the large intestine.

Let’s now look at what happens when we have a bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine:

Normal digestion of starches such as breads, potatoes, grains etc is done mainly by enzymes released by the pancreas.  It breaks the long strands of starch in to more manageable, bite-size chunks.  These chunks of carbs  get then broken down into the absorbable carbohydrate forms by enzymes released by the wall of the small intestine, called brush-border enzymes.

With a bacterial overgrowth, this breakdown of carbs in ineffective because the bacteria damage the brush border of the wall.  The result is that these bacteria then ferment the undigested starches and produce gas.  Both hydrogen gas and methane gas is produced which causes obvious gas and bloating, particularly after meals.  The gas is also further damaging to the small intestinal wall, causing a problem with nutrient absorption.

For example, people with SIBO often have an iron deficiency which doesn’t easily get fixed.  Other minerals can also be low, such as zinc which can then cause all the problems associated with low zinc such as chronic infections, skin problems

once the bacteria are established, common symptoms include:

-  frequent bloating

-  constipation or diarrhea

-  abdominal pain

-  tiredness

Why doesn’t the body get rid of the bacteria?

The cleansing wave of the small intestine occurs every 90 minutes or so in a healthy person.  In a person with SIBO, this can be seriously impaired, causing the slow-down of digestion and fermentation of food.  This slow-down can be caused by medication such as acid blockers, pain medication, and blood pressure medication.

Also, once the wall of the small intestine is fairly damaged and you can’t absorb all your nutrients, the immune function is also affected.

How do I know if I have SIBO?

you can order a breath test which tests for the presence of gas produced by the bacteria.  It involves following a strict diet for 2 days.  Drinking a test substance is then followed by the collection of breath samples over the course of 3 hours

What can be done?

a great book on the topic is Dr. Mark Pimentel’s book “a new IBS solution”.  He’s one of the researchers in the topic and has some excellent suggestions.  He is a conventional doctor so he mainly recommends specific antibiotics to kill the bacteria along with other drugs to improve the cleansing wave

“Breaking the vicious cycle” is another fantastic book if you suspect you have SIBO.  Elaine Gottschall wrote this book many years ago –it is great in terms of explaining the damage that occurs to the brush border and how to repair it with diet.

Naturopathic treatment

involves

-  a specific carbohydrate diet,

-  natural antibacterials

-  healing agents for the small intestine

-  nutrients which are deficient as a result of poor absorption

In summary, if you have IBS symptoms and have gotten no relief with previous treatments, consider getting tested for SIBO.  The results of treatment can be quite dramatic

WHAT YOU CAN DO…
Getting rid of those scratched up teflon pans is the first step. I shudder to think of my college days and all those omelettes in pans that looked silver because the coating was almost completely gone. Also, never ever overheat in teflon pans–especially when they don’t have any oil in them yet.
Replace non-stick teflon pans with:

• Cast iron skillets–these are great especially for those women who are in need of more iron in their diet. Acid foods like tomato sauce can pull out extra iron from the pan
• Stainless steel pans
• Ceramic cookware– the newest company to offer non-toxic non-stick ceramic cookware is Neoflam. I just bought one and can’t stop cooking with it, although I don’t have any more information than the company promo materials to confirm it’s non-toxicity claim
• If you are attached to the non-stick idea, you may look into those that make harder surfaces where there’s less toxic escape. Scanpan makes some nice products in this range.
• Don’t reheat in plastic, styrofoam, wrapping or containers. This includes Take away containers, microwave meals, and microwave popcorn bags.

?Living in our modern world we are all exposed to a multitude of substances that stress our detoxification pathways. Many health conditions can therefore benefit of a whole body cleanse. There are many cleanses out there but not many actually support all the systems of detoxification.

I am very experienced in clinical detoxification and know how to guide you safely and efficiently through your cleansing experience.

What is Detoxification and what is it used for?

Detoxification and cleansing are used to stimulate and support all the body’s means of processing and eliminating hormones, chemicals, and other substances that we are exposed to on a daily basis. It is aiding the body in getting rid of unwanted substances.

A poor ability to detoxify may contribute to illnesses like allergies, chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue; digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease; hormonal issues such as PMS and menopausal symptoms; or skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. But you need not suffer from any particular illness to do a detox/cleansing program. It is beneficial for almost anyone wanting to improve their health.

It is not a question as to whether you’ve been exposed to toxins – the question is whether or not these exposures are significantly impacting your health. A detoxification or cleansing program is one way to help determine if this is the case.

The Body’s Systems for Detoxification and Elimination

Skin: Your skin is your largest organ and as such is an important part of your body’s detoxification process. Sweating is the main way to detoxify through the skin. This can be accomplished through exercise, sauna or fever treatments.

Kidneys: The kidneys function to filter the blood of the body’s waste products.
Drink plenty of fluids. This is especially important during the detox process, as you will be mobilizing potential toxins out of your tissues and into your bloodstream.

Lungs: Your lungs are responsible for filtering your blood of carbon dioxide and replenishing your blood with oxygen. Oxygen is an important to function of every cell in your body. Certain toxins are also removed through the lungs through expiration.

Liver: Your liver is your body’s detoxification powerhouse. Among it’s many duties, your liver helps to filter your blood through the phase I and II detoxification pathways. The nutrients required for this process are vital for proper detoxification. If a detox program is suggested for you, you will receive instructions as to which products are right or you.

Intestinal Tract/Colon: The surface area of your digestive tract equals that of half a tennis court! Many processes of elimination occur here. An improperly functioning digestive tract is often the source of many of the body’s ailments. For example, constipation can lead to the recycling of estrogens meant for excretion resulting in an increase of total estrogen in the body. But not only estrogen is reabsorbed therefore constipation must be avoided while doing a cleanse of any magnitude. Colon hydrotherapy can greatly improve the health of your colon and are recommended treatments while doing the detoxification program.

Lymphatic System: The work of the lymphatic system includes carrying cellular wastes back to the vascular circulation so that it can be properly excreted. Because fats are transported by this system from the gut this system can get sluggish and congested. Massage, body scrubs, hydrotherapy, exercise, and sauna are all good practices to decongest your lymphatic tissues

“Toxicology textbooks list the first symptoms of chronic poisoning as low energy, fatigue, muscle weakness, inability to concentrate and intestinal complaints.”

Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., The 20-Day Rejuvenation Diet Program, pg.23.
How long will I need to cleanse?

That will depend on the severity of your condition and your detoxification reserves. For example, a detox is not recommended for those with chronic constipation (until constipation is resolved), a weakened constitution, or severe illness. Sometimes just a one week cleanse can be enough. Many people, however, can easily tolerate a 3 week cleanse.

What’s involved in the detox program?
• Herbal and nutritional products to support your liver and other organs of elimination
• A meal replacement drink to be taken 2-3 times daily
• A specialized hypoallergenic detox diet

Examples of our daily toxic exposures:

• Phthalates (chemicals used make plastic flexible) have been found to be elevated in young girls (aged 6 months to 8 years) with premature breast development – this chemical and its metabolites act like estrogen in the human body.
• In one study, 2 different pesticide metabolites were found in 19/20 and 20/20 samples of fetal meconium – a marker of in utero fetal exposure to these chemicals.
• US Children’s Urine Studies showed that when the same pesticide metabolites were tested for in Seattle preschoolers, 99% were positive for at least one.
• Some people have genetic differences in their ability to detoxify. This means that different people may react differently to the same toxic exposure.
• If you do not have daily bowel movements and plenty of fiber in your diet, it is very likely that you will recycle toxins processed by your liver, even if it is processing them effectively – colonics can dramatically reduce this problem, as can fiber supplements such as psyllium with plenty of water to keep your digestion in motion.
• The Dirty Dozen: 12 most-contaminated fruits & vegetables (in this order) – strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, cherries (US), peaches, cantaloupe, celery, apples, apricots, green beans, grapes (Chile), and cucumbers.
• 12 least-contaminated fruits & vegetables (also in order) – avocados, corn, onion, sweet potato, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, grapes (US), bananas, plums, green onions, watermelon, and broccoli.
• Tuna from a can contains less mercury than fresh tuna – probably because smaller fish usually have less mercury. Great Lakes fish such as Walleye, bass, and perch all have more mercury than either kind of tuna – possibly even double the amount.

“One week before my period, I’m so irritable I could rip my husband’s head off” is a frequent statement. Oral contraceptives seem to be the one-stop treatment of choice for many of these complaints and although artificial stabilization of hormones can bring relief for the issues of PMS, it does not help to find the cause of the problem.

Natural medicine has much to offer for PMS sufferers as it targets the root of the problem. In my practice in Brisbane, I help women unravel the cause of their particular PMS symptom picture

Let’s take a look at what’s going on.
PMS is defined as the well known myriad of symptoms which start 1-2 weeks before the period. These include

- breast pain
- mood changes such as anger or depression
- headaches
- acne
- digestive complaints such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
- weight gain and water retention
- sugar cravings
- fatigue often 1-2 weeks before the period.
All symptoms MUST resolve with the onset of the period to be classified as PMS or something else is going on.
Hormonal Balance

From the first day of the period to ovulation (typically around day 14), oestrogen rises slowly and declines after the egg is released from the ovary. In a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone is the main hormone after ovulation—it helps to offset some of the strong effects of oestrogen.

A common finding in PMS sufferers is an elevated oestrogen/progesterone ratio in which oestrogen is abnormally elevated compared to the level of progesterone. This can be due to an inefficient liver clearance of oestrogen or mild progesterone deficiency.

Another reason why progesterone is low in the 2nd half of the cycle is stress. Stress raises a hormone called cortisol. When stress is continuous, progesterone is taken from the menstrual cycle to convert to cortisol. This is a protective mechanism –as the body thinks it is running from a tiger it considers cortisol more important than the reproductive hormone progesterone.
Irritability and Depression

Not only can high oestrogen cause all of the symptoms of PMS, but an elevated oestrogen/progesterone ratio has also been shown to impair proper neurotransmitter synthesis such as the “feel-good” serotonin. This may be due to oestrogen depleting B6 levels which is a necessary vitamin to produce proper serotonin levels.

B6 levels are frequently low in depressed patients, especially those taking oestrogens such as the birth control pill or menopausal medication such as Premarin.

Anger is also often experienced by women with PMS. Energetically, anger can be a frequent sign of liver congestion and oestrogen overload.

Oestrogen Dominance

The total amount of oestrogen in your body is determined by

- how much you make yourself (technically, all oestrogen starts as testosterone and is converted in the ovaries or fat tissues—known as endogenous oestrogen)

- how much comes from the outside (from hormones in animal products, chemicals in cosmetics etc—known as exogenous oestrogen)

and how well you detoxify both.

Too high oestrogen is known as oestrogen dominance, a condition associated with PMS, breast cancer, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis.

Other hormonal influences

In addition to the above mentioned effects, excess oestrogen has also been implicated in a rise in aldosterone secretion from 2-8 days prior to menses, causing fluid retention, a common complaint in PMS. Endogenous and exogenous oestrogen can also increase prolactin secretion by the pituitary gland. Elevated prolactin has been linked to progesterone deficiency, breast pain, fibrocystic breast disease, and hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism affects a large percentage of women with PMS, and should therefore not be underestimated. If symptoms persist, a simple blood test can identify blatant thyroid dysfunction.
Natural Approaches to PMS

It is always important to know what type of PMS you are experiencing before embarking on a treatment plan. The suggestions below are just examples of a wide variety of professional treatments.

Diet: In my practice, diet and lifestyle recommendations are always the foundation on which I build my treatment plan. I often start the treatment with a cleansing diet for 2-4 weeks, after which I focus on specific diet changes. Depending on the symptom picture, a typical dietary recommendation for a patient with PMS may be to reduce all animal products to decrease exogenous oestrogens as well as saturated fats. To put this into context: vegetarian women excrete two to three times more oestrogens in their faeces and have 50% lower free oestrogens than their omnivore counterparts. Overall reduction of fat, sugar, and salt all has been shown to significantly improve PMS symptoms in some women.

Liver Detox: the liver is a very important organ of detoxification. Oestrogens are detoxified through the 2 main detox pathways of the liver. Abstaining from alcohol, caffeine, chemicals and processed foods can lower the total detox burden of the liver. Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage) contain Indole-3-carbinol—a potent compound that aids in the liver detoxification of oestrogen. This is also available in pill form.

The Gut: Another important aspect of PMS treatment is to establish proper bowel flora. To detoxify oestrogens, the liver binds it to glucuronic acid which prevents the reabsorption of oestrogens from the bowel. Certain undesirable gut bacteria produce the enzyme beta-glucuronidase which cleaves this bond and allows these oestrogens to re-enter the circulation, adding to the total oestrogen pool. Increasing fibre and adding probiotics to the treatment protocol can be very beneficial.

Exercise and stress reduction have been clearly documented in the literature for reducing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Specific Herbs and Nutrients

These will be prescribed on an individualized basis.

Just a few examples:

By far the most commonly used herb in PMS is Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste tree berry). It is so effective in regulating menses and lowering prolactin it has been written up in Europe’s prestigious “German Commission E” – a scientific database on herbal substances

B6 and Magnesium are important for proper serotonin production especially in cases of oestrogen dominance. It also seems to help with sugar cravings before the period.

What is it?

Yeast vaginitis is caused by a common fungus known as candida. There are about 150 different species of candida, only a few cause health issues, the most common of which is candida albicans. Under normal conditions, this common fungus lives in most places where we have a mucous membrane: the digestive tract, the vagina, and the sinuses. This is not surprising since yeasts love a warm, moist environment.

When conditions are right, this fungus proliferates and causes itching, discharge, and general misery. Vaginal yeast is most often associated with a thick “cottage cheese” like discharge and the accompanying itching can be intense. Vaginal odor is mostly yeasty, not malodorous as commonly seen in Trichomonas or bacterial vaginosis.

What causes it?

Candida overgrowth can be caused by

• A diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates –yeast loves these!
• A lack of beneficial bacteria in the gut or vaginal tract
• Semen can alkalinize the vagina’s acidic environment and can cause yeast growth in some women.
• As a consequence of antibiotics
• Hormones—estrogen and progesterone fluctuation tend to increase vaginal yeast symptoms. This can cause symptoms right before the onset of the menstrual flow. In menopausal women, thinning vaginal tissues can compromise the defense barrier of the mucosa and also cause problems.

Some other interesting facts:

• Women who wear pantyhose are 3 times more likely to develop vaginal yeast infections
• Tight clothing and frequent use of panty liners are also implicated in this condition
• Topical creams that treat only candida albicans may allow other strains of candida to proliferate and grow. In other words, sometimes the topical creams meant to treat yeast may make matters worse.

What can be done?

First of all, get the proper diagnosis. Not all vaginal itching accompanied by discharge is yeast. Bacterial infections can have very similar symptoms, yet needs very different treatment. Seek medical care if symptoms persist or continue to recur.

Diet

As mentioned above, yeast feeds on sugar and simple carbohydrates (ie: biscuits, crackers, white bread, processed foods). Avoid these foods as well as alcohol, yeast containing foods (breads, etc), and dairy (due to the milk sugar lactose) except plain natural yogurt.

The naturopathic view that digestive yeast can often “re-infect” women’s vaginal tract is not backed by research but has merit on anecdotal grounds. It also makes sense if we consider all mucosal surfaces as one organ, not just isolated to the vaginal tract.

In my naturopathic clinic in Brisbane I frequently see women with chronic, long standing yeast vaginitis. Mostly they also suffer from more “systemic” symptoms of yeast overgrowth which include:

• Fatigue
• Digestive problems like gas and bloating
• Body aches
• Sinus congestion and allergies
• Depression

In these cases the diet can take 3-6 months, if not longer, to re-establish a normal vaginal and digestive flora For very occasional bouts of vaginal yeast, 2 weeks of the diet can suffice.

Topical treatments

The idea is to re-establish proper pH of the vagina (typically 4.0-4.5), to re-inoculate with good bacteria (lactobacillus acidophilus, etc) and to kill the yeast outright.

This is a nice home treatment that works for many women and is particularly good for those suffering from yeast infections after sex or around their period.

For acute symptoms do twice daily:

• Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per cup of warm water. Sit on toilet and rinse vulva. Wet your fingers with this mixture and do a finger sweep of the internal vagina (make sure your nails are trimmed!)
• Follow this procedure with a finger sweep of either plain yogurt (containing live cultures) or powdered probiotics (available in the fridge of chemists or health food stores)

Other topical treatments include antifungal creams and suppositories. Boric acid and tea tree oil are particularly good natural topical antifungals.

To ensure replacement of beneficial bacteria, take a good probiotic at least twice daily with meals.

Other suggestions: do not wear pantyhose, panty liners or synthetic underwear. Use hypoallergenic detergents.

With the right diet, hygiene choices, and proper supplements you can make recurrent vaginal yeast infections a thing of the past.

The next day I received a post from my US Naturopathic Doctor forum asking for help on locating a medical supply company that offered phtalate-free IV tubing and bags. I realized then, once again, how ubiquitous these chemicals are in our life. It is virtually impossible to live completely free from xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens are a class of chemicals which are known “endocrine disruptors”. These can act like oestrogens in your body, thereby increasing your chance of developing oestrogen dependant conditions such as breast cancer. Also discussed last week were specific detox pathways in your liver that help metabolise this volatile hormone.

This week’s topic will investigates

IMPROVING OESTROGEN BALANCE— HOW TO RID THE BODY OF BAD OESTROGENS:

a. improve liver clearance
Your body’s total oestrogen levels depend on your own production of this hormone, outside sources (xenoestrogens), and how well you can get rid of it through your liver (metabolise it).

In the last 10 years, one of the most important discoveries in the natural health industry has been indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and its isolate DIM. These are compounds from the brassica vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage) that help push oestrogen toward the beneficial oestrogen metabolite. This process mainly occurs in your liver. Make sure you eat plenty of these vegetables, but if you need extra help your natural health care provider can guide you to products that concentrate I3C and DIM, thus eliminating the need to consume huge quantities of broccoli.

Research has shown that I3C and DIM can prevent certain types of cancers.

b. improve digestive function
Once oestrogen is metabolized in your liver it gets packaged up for excretion through your bowels. Your bowels are host to trillions of organisms. Most are beneficial and help with many functions, but some bad organisms produce an enzyme that destroys the packaging around the oestrogen, thus allowing it to be reabsorbed and added once again to the oestrogen pool. Improving bowel function means making sure you have a good balance of beneficial bacteria. If you have a history of antibiotic use that exceeds 2-3 courses in the past 10 years, you may benefit from taking a good acidophilus product. I find that most people who have dysbiosis (gut overgrowth of bad organisms) cannot reestablish this healthy balance with diet alone.

c. lose weight
Fat is one of the tissues capable of oestrogen production. Very overweight and obese people tend to be more at risk to develop cancer partly due to the fact that fat can efficiently convert testosterone to oestrogen. Fat also serves as an excellent storage for xenoestrogens (chemicals that act like oestrogens)

I always tell people that if exercise were a pill, everyone would take it. Exercise has tremendous health benefits, one of them being fat loss.

Conclusion
All this complicated talk about xenoestrogens has probably left you feeling somewhat uneasy. It is never my intention to contribute to the general feeling of helplessness that pervades our society. Rather, I hope I have provided you with some useful tips on how to reduce your risk of xenoestrogenic exposures.