PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a set of common symptoms caused by a hormone imbalance. If you’re one of many who suffer with it, you may notice irregular or heavy periods and unwanted facial hair and acne.

A lot of this hormonal imbalance is caused by spikes in insulin, meaning symptoms can flair up when insulin levels get particularly high. This excess insulin means you may find you put on weight around your stomach and have difficulty losing it again.  There’re also other reasons which we can investigate.

It is important to treat PCOS, as without preventative steps you may experience problems with fertility, high blood pressure and diabetes down the line.

How can nutritional therapy help with PCOS?

Because of the link to insulin production, PCOS responds well to dietary changes. By eating foods that cause you to secrete less insulin, the majority of symptoms can be improved or even reversed. Together we will work through a three step process to get the answers you’re looking for and help you make positive changes to dramatically improve your health.

Step 1: Take a thorough case history

First we will discuss what has been going on so I can get a picture of all the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. We will take a non-judgemental look at your diet, identifying foods which might be healthy enough but simply not suited to your biochemical make-up.

Step 2: Functional tests

You may have already received a diagnosis of PCOS from your GP, but if not I will recommend a full clinical analysis to check whether there is anything else going on as well. I never look at symptoms in isolation – it’s important that we work to heal your body as a whole, not just the condition you are presenting with.

Step 3: Create a specialised nutritional plan

Finally I will create a nutritional plan specifically for you. We will move towards a PCOS friendly diet and supplements to control those insulin levels and reduce unwanted symptoms.

Adrenals

Do you feel like you’re constantly rushing from one thing to another? Do you crave sugar and junk food all the time, just to keep you going? Are you exhausted when you fall into bed, but still not able to sleep well?

The adrenal glands are two little organs that sit on the top of your kidneys. They’re only the size of walnuts, but they produce over 50% of the hormones in your body that manage vital bodily functions like immune response, blood pressure, and energy levels.

If the adrenal glands are forced to respond constantly to stress they get drained and can no longer control all of the other hormones as they should. Cortisol levels in particular will become high. If left unchecked this can lead to adrenal fatigue and to conditions like ME.

How can nutritional therapy help with adrenal support?

Alongside lifestyle changes and improvements to self-care, a nutritional programme can be designed to help you balance your blood sugar levels and keep cortisol in check. Together we’ll work through a three step process to help you identify stress factors and make positive changes to dramatically improve your health.

Step 1: Take a thorough case history

First we will discuss what has been going on so I can get a picture of all the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. We will talk about lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your stress levels, and look at your diet and eating patterns.

Step 2: Create a personalised nutritional therapy programme

Equipped with this information I will design an individual nutritional therapy programme for you. You will learn the types of foods you should be eating and those you should be avoiding to better support your body in times of stress. Supplements might also be needed in order to help balance cortisol levels and bolster your immune system.

Step 3: Acupuncture to help recover your energy and vitality

Endometriosis

Is a female hormone disorder that causes tissue growth outside of the uterus. These tissues thicken and break down, leading to pain, bleeding and potentially problems with fertility. This happens when something causes a blockage to inhibit the normal hormonal flow.

Many of my clients with endometriosis say it seriously impacts their quality of life, leaving them fatigued and even bedridden for a day or two each month. As with most conditions, there is a spectrum of severity. For some women, the symptoms can even go unnoticed. That doesn’t mean they won’t cause complications with fertility, or problems in the future.

How can nutritional therapy help with endometriosis?

While it is not curable, diet and lifestyle changes – such as choosing anti-inflammatory foods, and those that can naturally balance hormones – can play a huge role in making the symptoms of endometriosis more manageable. Together we will work through a three step process to get the answers you’re looking for and help you make positive changes to dramatically improve your health.

Step 1: Take a thorough case history

First we will discuss what has been going on so I can get a picture of all the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. We will take a non-judgemental look at your diet, identifying foods which might be healthy enough but simply not suited to your biochemical make-up.

Step 2: Create a tailored nutritional therapy programme

Finally I will create a tailor-made endometriosis diet plan helping you learn which foods you should be eating more of, and which you should be avoiding to help reduce those unwanted symptoms.

Step 3: Acupuncture to move blood and Qi stagnation and help relieve symptoms

Thyroid Issues

What are hyper- and hypo-thyroidism?

The thyroid gland is a regulator that controls the rate of our metabolism. It works a bit like the accelerator in a car. Depending on the pressure we put upon it, the car’s speed increases or decreases. Imagine the body ‘steps on’ the thyroid gland in order to give appropriate commands for all the functional mechanisms of our bodies.

If your thyroid is out of sorts it can cause big issues:

• Hyperthyroidism causes everything to speed up, leading to feelings of agitation, weight loss and difficulty sleeping.
• Hypothyroidism causes the body to slow down, leading to weight gain, constipation, fatigue, high cholesterol and heavy periods in women.
• In serious cases the body can produce antibodies against the thyroid. This, combined with food intolerances, can lead to autoimmune thyroid diseases.

How can nutritional therapy help with thyroid issues?

Our thyroid does not lose its rhythm for no reason; there are many lifestyle and dietary factors that can cause this deregulation. Together we’ll work through a three step process to find out what’s behind your thyroid issues and help you make positive changes to restore it to its proper function.

Step 1: Take a thorough case history

First we will discuss what has been going on so I can get a picture of all the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. We will talk about lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your stress or anxiety levels, as well as looking at your diet and eating patterns. Because thyroid function directly depends on the adrenals and the pituitary, I always support all three glands nutritionally.

Step 2: I may suggest a food intolerance test to check for intolerances to foods such as gluten.

Step 3:Create a personalised nutritional therapy programme

Equipped with the results of the tests I will design an individual nutritional therapy programme for you including recipes and a supplement plan. You will learn the types of foods you should be eating and those you should be avoiding, to better support your body in resolving this condition.

Weight Issues

Did you know that if you’re on a diet there is a 70% chance you’ll end up weighing more than when you started.

I’m a firm believer that diets don’t work. In order to lose weight and make sure it stays off, you need to make permanent lifestyle changes, altering what you put into your body, and when.

The reasons for excess weight gain can vary by person. Only by exploring your individual circumstances can you put an effective plan in place. It’s worth remembering that just because you’re eating ‘healthily’ doesn’t mean you’re eating the right foods for your individual body.

How can nutritional therapy help with weight issues?

Undergoing nutritional therapy is not the same as dieting. By correcting any issues that may be contributing to your weight gain, nutritional therapy can greatly improve your chances of losing weight and keeping it off. Together we’ll work through a three step process to get the answers you’re looking for and help you make positive changes to reach your target weight.

Step 1: Establish likely reasons for weight gain

First we’ll discuss what’s been going on so I can get a picture of your core weight gain drivers. We’ll establish whether there are reasons for a pattern of overeating, or whether something else is going on. I’ll usually ask you to keep a food diary, but don’t worry – you won’t get any judgement from me about any bad habits it uncovers, just simple advice and the support you need to make positive changes.

Step 2: Possible food intolerance & other functional tests

To see if there is anything else going on that could be affecting your weight. If issues are suspected, I may also suggest testing thyroid and liver function to determine whether this could be a contributing factor. I may also decide to run some tests to establish whether you have an imbalance in your gut bacteria that makes your body crave sugar.

Step 3: Create a personalised nutritional therapy programme

Taking into account your likes and dislikes, we will produce a plan that is achievable by moving you towards your goal in manageable chunks. You won’t be expected to change established eating patterns over night! With simple but effective strategies you’ll make gradual lifestyle changes that will be easy to stick to once you see the benefits.