Naturopathic Health- January 2011 Hints and Tips

• Treat yourself and go swim in the ocean - what is your treat?
• Traveling - take a thermos and a sandwich - avoid the drive through’s and arrive feeling healthy!
• Tired? Go to bed early. Be refreshed for the new week.
• Feeling a tad Monday-itis - take a B complex and boost your energy
• Take on "Toss out Tuesday" - go through your cupboards and shed some clutter. What did you throw out?
• Sending positive vibes to all those in Queensland - Be safe.
• Sunshine helps increase levels of serotonin, the happy chemical in our brain - Go outside and get some sun, it may only be here for a minute!
• Go on - go for a brisk walk give those endorphins a kick start to begin your weekend. What healthy options do you have install?
• Research has shown drinking Beetroot Juice can increase blood flow to the brain! What's your favourite juice?
• Try a MEATLESS MONDAY! Aid you bodies digestive track by giving it a holiday and assist with the reduction of your carbon footprint as meat production is such a big use of resources.
• Thirsty. Have you had your 8 glasses of water today?
• WATER the great detoxer - reduces those feelings of sluggishness, generally gives the body a flush and hydrates the body
• YOGA - have you ever tried to get bendy? What is your favourite type of yoga?
• Prevention is better than a Cure. What can you easily prevent this weekend?
• Does an apple a day keep the Dr away??? Best to buy from farmers markets and try organic or biodynamic produce produce.
• Monday starts the beginning of the week - try to achieve HAPPINESS by acknowledging GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION. Why are you grateful and appreciative?
• Did you know using 'Blu Tac" as earplugs is great to protect small children's hearing (and of course adults too)! Are you celebrating Australia Day with loud music?
• Research shows that Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes assists with a healthy prostate! Summer = Tomatoes - fresh from the garden, eat up guys!

What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy can easily and succinctly be broken down to define the ‘Natural Path’.

However, Naturopathy has really evolved over centauries and can be traced to ancient Greek times. In about 400 B.C, Hippocrates, ‘the Father of Medicine’, first formulated the concept of the ‘healing power of nature’ linking the body, mind and spirit to inherently be able to heal itself.

Naturopathy is the practice of health care that combines both traditional wisdom of natural medicine with modern scientific based evidence. It is the practice of treating the body as a whole and taking the body, mind, spirit and environment into account whilst preventing, assessing and treating conditions that are presented.

Naturopathy takes into account physical conditions, possible pathological presentation, psychological and emotional factors, diet, inherited genetic characteristics, lifestyle and environmental factors when rebalancing or aligning the body’s natural state.

The role of a naturopath is to work with a person to promote their body’s natural balanced state and their ability to maintain optimal order and function of their body (homeostasis). As a practitioner I will take a detailed case history assessing your current health concern/s, medical history, family history, current environmental and lifestyle factors that may influence your wellbeing, including exercise, diet, nutrition and stress levels. Pathological tests may also be required. From there I will be able to make an assessment and be able to recommend a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Follow up visits assess your progress and treatment strategies are adapted to best suit you and your health, as well as providing further education for you to maintain optimal long term homeostasis.

The therapies I use may include; Herbal remedies (liquids, tablets or capsules), Homeopathy, Nutritional supplements, Diet and Lifestyle recommendations.

Naturopaths are able to treat most ailments by assisting and facilitating treatment plans. Naturopaths can treat: Women’s hormonal imbalances; PMS, PMT, painful periods, inconsistent periods, Pregnancy issues and pregnancy support. Children’s ailments and illnesses including; common coughs and colds, anxiety and stress. Men’s Health issues; exhaustion, stress, aid and support prostrate health. General health problems relating to the skin, energy levels, stress and tiredness just to name a few.

The Benefits of Oysters

People either love or hate oysters. I am an oyster lover.

I have loved them since I was a child and my dad would open them on the rocks and we'd walk with the waves washing around us and eat them. I loved the taste, that hard to describe metallic, salty, rich flavour, I loved the texture, I loved the whole experience. Now as an adult I can easily sit and eat a dozen natural oysters (or more) in one sitting – YUM and this summer I did.

The best thing about oysters is their goodness. They are known to provide an abundance of vitamins and minerals, packed into a high-protein, low-fat, and low-cholesterol package, this makes them sound like the perfect food. They also have a high vibrational energy too – this is because they are often shucked then eaten, it is as fresh as eating vegetables straight from your garden!

The Health Benefits of Oysters:

High in Zinc

Oysters are commonly known as a rich source of Zinc in fact they are one of the most concentrated natural zinc sources.

Zinc plays an important role in wound healing and in maintaining a strong and healthy immune system, and helps regulate ones taste and smell senses. Zinc is also an important mineral required for the production of testosterone.

Zinc deficiencies can result in symptoms such as decreased wound healing, weakened immune system, poor appetite, slow growth of hair, skin and nails, loss of hair, impaired senses of taste and smell and more frequent infections. Eat an oyster and feel stronger!

High in Protein

Oysters are a good source of protein, on average six oysters can contain about six grams of protein. The protein found in oysters is high in quality and is easy to digest.  

Protein helps build and repair tissues and muscle it aids growth within our complex make-up. So do yourself a favor and eat some protein, complement of half a dozen oysters

Possible Aphrodisiac

Oysters have often been called aphrodisiacs! They are rich in specific amino acids that are known to increase the levels of sex hormones and of course high in zinc which aids in the production of testosterone!

It is believed that if food resembles an organ or body part then it is beneficial to it.  Taking on this theory, aphrodisiacs are those that resembled sexual organs. Oysters have a clear resemblance of a female vagina and food that in some way looked like vaginas were reputed as being aphrodisiacs, making oysters a possible aphrodisiac!

Good Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Oysters are a good source of Vitamins including Vitamins A and B12 and rich in minerals such as Calcium and Iron.

The Vitamin A can help improve your eyesight.

The B12 will give you energy and help with brain function, helping your mood.

Calcium is good for your bones and the Iron helps your blood form and transport.

Nutritional Highlights of Oysters

Oysters raw, (6 medium):
Calories: 57
 Protein: 5.9g
 Carbohydrate: 3.3g
Total Fat: 2.1g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Zinc (76mcg), and Vitamin B12 (16.3mcg)