Wellbeing by Julia

Happy Holidays

2011-12-30T10:49:00.000+11:00

Wellbeing is on Holidays!!
I apologize if I haven't been writing much lately, it has been a very special year which I dedicated most of it to my beautiful daughter Luana. I am looking forward for 2012 and I have many healthy projects on the way, I'm sure you will love it!

Happy Holidays!! Stay healthy for next year!

Lots of love and health to everyone

Natural treatment strategies for Children's with learning disorders & Bhavioural issues

2011-11-01T14:59:00.000+11:00

I went to this Metagenics seminar on the weekend about Children Epidemics.
It was discussed the importance of the connection between Gut-Immunity-Brain (GIB) since childhood.
From a Naturopathic point of view, if one of the parts mentioned above are disrupted, the whole body will be affected. Therefore, it is crucial to look after our health from a very young age.
Low immunity, disrupted microflora and poor brain function can be linked to most of childhood problems.

Foundations for building a healthy brain start in childhood. Childhood is a time of immense social and intellectual development. Ensuring healthy brain development in this vital stage of life can set the stage for a healthy cognitive function, memory and learning well into adulthood.

Issues with brain function and learning during childhood can lead to longer term social, psychological and behavioural problems. If your child suffers from learning, behavioural or developmental issues, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism, your natural health care practitioner can help.

Common Childhood Problems

ADHD is the most common behavioural disorder in children. It affects about 5 to 10% of children. ADHD is characterised by different levels of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and/or significant academic , social and emotional problems.

Autism is another common childhood problem affecting the brain. It is less common, but it is becoming more widespread. This neurodevelopmental condition is characterised by impaired socil interaction and communication, restricted interests and repetitive behaviour.

Allergies and Obesity are also very common among children. Skin allergies such as eczema, psoriasis and others are related to leaky skin, asthma is related to leaky lungs and constipation or diahrroea are related to leaky gut. Good gut bacteria is the key to eliminate body toxins and keep the nutrients. A good dose of probiotics are fundamental in the treatment of allergies.
Obesity is related to poor diet and lifestyle.

Natural Medicines can help

If your child has a learning disability, behavioural problem or other disroder affecting their brain function, your natural Healthcare Practitioner can help by complementing any existing treatments with specific recommendations for dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments and key natural supplements. Some basic recommendations that can help support healthy brain function, learning and behaviour in children include the following.

Feed that hungry brain
Healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and protein.
Ensure your child eats a full breakfast every day
Avoid processed foods additives and artificial flavours.
Growing children Need a Healthy lifestyle
Identify your child's interests and encourage active participation
Exercise and fresh air matter
Sleep and rest are also important
Positive role models and family support are essential
Smart supplements for a better brain: Multivitamins, Minerals, Fish oils and Herbal Support

If you would like more information on these natural medicines, dietary or lifestyle advice talk to you healthcare Practitioner.

One Apple Everyday

2011-10-23T20:36:00.000+11:00

Im sure you have already heard that we must eat one apple everyday, I just wanted to make sure you understand why it is important to do so.

The other day walking at the beach with my friend Raquel we started to talk about all the amazing things that an apple can do. It all started and we were discussing the best tips to reduce fat in the abdominal area.

The Benefits of eating ONE apple EVERYDAY

Neutralizes the body ph
Reduces abdominal fat
Reduces bad breath/halitosis
Protect the cells against free radicals
Improve skin quality
Anti-aging
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

Organic fruits are always a better choice!

Cold & Flu in babies

2011-10-09T16:42:00.001+11:00

Luana is only five months old and has a flu for the first time. It breaks my heart to watch her suffering. She has a very blocked nose but she doesn't know how to get rid of the mucous, which is causing a cough and short of breath. A young baby’s natural instinct is to breathe through their nose – even when it is blocked. This can make their life very frustrating, disrupting sleep, nursing and bottle-feeding. That’s why it’s so important to keep your baby’s nose clear.

3 tips that is helping my baby a lot

1- Euky Bear Vaporiser
Keeping a vaporriser in the babies room will allow her/him to breath easily. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil , open the window a little bit and let it steam. It will work for up to 12 hours and then stops automatically when steaming completed.
The steam moisturises mucous membrane, reduces irritation and clear mucous from the nose, bronchial tubes and lungs. The Euky bear vaporiser helps alleviate the symptoms of colds and flu, bronchitis, croup and other respiratory aliments.

2- Fess little noses Saline spray
This is a non-medicated saline solution that provides relief of dry or blocked noses due to colds, allergies, sinusitis or dry air. The gentle alcohol free saline solution will not sting your baby’s delicate nasal membranes and being non-medicated it can be used as often as needed without the worry of harmful side-effects. works by loosening and thinning nasal mucus and moisturising dry nasal passages. This helps to clear stuffy noses, allowing your baby to breathe easier. As babies insist on breathing through their nose, a clear nose is essential prior to feeding and sleeping.

3- Love
There is no mystery for the third tip. All a baby need is lots of love from mummy and daddy, specially when they are in pain. Kiss and Hug your baby as much as you can, don't worry if you end up getting their flu, we are "big girls" and we can handle it much better than they do

In cases of choke put your mouth into babies nose and suck all the mucous! I know it sounds disgusting but it has helped many babies to breath in emergency situations.

http://www.fess.com.au/products.8

Cow's milk protein intolerance in babies

2011-09-28T19:18:00.001+10:00

Cow's milk protein intolerance is now becoming an epidemic. Many babies are now developing symptoms of CMPI and this should not be confused with Lactose Intolerance ; the latter refers to the inability to digest lactose whereas CMPI refers to a immunological reaction where there is damage to the digestive tract , including the oesophagus incurred by proteins passing through the mother’s milk, to the baby, after she has consumed dairy products.

“About 1 in 50 babies have the problem – most grow out of cow’s milk allergy by the age of 4 years and cow’s milk allergy in adults is rare.”

Symptoms of CMPI generally includes: unsettled behaviour, unhappiness , bad sleeping and most of the times doctors misdiagnose CMPI as Acid Reflux due to the similarity of symptoms.

CMPI “…is easily missed and needs to be considered as a cause of infant distress”

The best treatment for this condition is a very restricted diet to the mother (when beast feeding). This dietary changes is based on the elimination of dairy, including milk, chocolate, cheese, butter, eggs and all products including dairy derivatives. Soy should also be avoided as this is considered a high allergen food. Mothers should also pay attention in processed food, you will be amazed with the high amount of dairy and soy in these foods.

Dairy products are rich in Calcium, when eliminating it all from your diet is important to find other types of food which contain calcium, as calcium deficiency is another major issue in our society. Dairy free calcium supplements is a good option.

Mothers who suspect their babies are suffering from this condition should see a medical professional for assessment and advice. It is not recommended that anyone attempt an elimination diet without medical supervision.

Elimination diet is very challenging for some mothers, specially for the vegetarian ones. A good option is tahini treats, it taste great , are high in protein and are free from allergens!

Tahini is one of the ingredients use to make humus.

Carrot and Celery sticks with humus can be a great afternoon snack!

The information contained in this article should NEVER be used as a substitute for the advice of a licensed physician. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please see a physician if you think you or your child are unwell.
http://childhood101.com/2011/01/eating-like-a-cow-breastfeeding-cow’s-milk-protein-intolerance

Top 15 list of foods to improve skin quality

2011-09-20T14:55:00.000+10:00

Over many years people have been trying all kinds of moisturizer, toners, cleansing gels, masks and even laser in order to have a beautiful skin.
We all want to look good and healthy, a person's skin says a lot about someone. I can tell straight away if a person is healthy or not just by looking at their skin.
For a better skin is necessary to have a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and good oils
I am not saying that moisturizers don't work, of course it does! But takes much more than that to keep a beautiful, shiny and healthy skin

This is a list of the foods that we should try to include in our daily diet. Try to include at least 5 of the foods below in your diet everyday!!!

Salmon
Carrot
Linseed or flaxseed oil
Beet root
Avocado
Spinach
Celery
Chlorophyl
Orange
Berries
Olive Oil
Tuna (fresh or cooked)
Quinoa
Lettuce
Pomegranate

Supplements such as Zinc, Silica, Fish oil, Vitamin A,D,E also help to improve the quality of skin and work on the connective tissue, but all these can be found in the foods mentioned above.

How to choose the best sunscreen for our babies?

2011-09-14T22:19:00.001+10:00

The sunny season is starting and I can't wait to take Luana to the beach. I want my baby to love the beach just like I do, however , there are some cautions that need to be taken with a newborn baby on sumer. Because of global warming, the sun is getting stronger and stronger every year. Sunscreen must be used everyday. Babies skin's are 100 times more sensitive than an adults skin.
How to choose the best sunscreen for your baby?

I received this message from Nicole, a Osteopath at 'Bulb Osteopathy', a very nice clinic located in Clovelly.
I thought it would be interesting for the new mums

Which sunscreen for babies/children?

I made it though last summer without using any sunscreen on my girls as they were under 6 months old and stayed in the same spot when you put them down. Rather than use sunscreen that might be absorbed into their delicate skin, I used UV covers on the strollers, hats, wraps and kept them in the shade.

Now they move all over the place and hate wearing hats. Sigh. I have thus succumbed to buying and using sunscreen. Which one? After some research, mostly from the Environmental Working Group site listed below, I bought 'Invisible Zinc'. I bought it from Coles, you can also get it from pharmacies.
Why not just any sunscreen? Some sunscreens don't provide protection from UVA rays (there are UVA and UVB rays, UVA rays primarily cause aging, but have recently been linked to skin cancer. UVB rays are mostly responsible for visible sunburn). Some sunscreens contain synthetic oestrogens which can potentially disrupt hormone levels and others still contain ingredients broken down by UV radiation.
The Environmental Working Group http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/is the best website I have found that explains sunscreens in detail. They are a US not for profit, seemingly well referenced organisation that has ranked 1841 sunscreens and they provide a list of 158 best sunscreens (unfortunately mostly US brands, but you can apply their criteria to sunscreens on the shelf here or order online).

So basically AVOID

* using sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using small amounts of sunscreen on babies under 6 months as a last resort.

* nanoparticles (a new technology of uber small particles, haven't been around for long and there are concerns they may enter bloodstream)

* oxybenzone (potential hormone disruptor, penetrates the skin in relatively large amounts)

* vitamin A (retinyl palmitate). Recent studies have shown tumors develop sooner on skin coated with creams containing vitamin A.

CHOOSE sunscreens containing:

* zinc or

* titanium dioxide or

* avobenzone

that provide protection against UVA and UVB rays.

And creams are better than sprays or powders as sprays or powders may be inhaled.
The Environment Working Group also has an app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ewg-sunscreen-buyers- guide/id378866183?mt=8 that rates sunscreens on their claims and safety.

Spring Recipe

2011-09-06T17:05:00.000+10:00

It is not winter anymore , sun is shining stronger lasting longer, thank god!
Summer is coming and soon we will be hanging down the beach, ladies with bikinis on and gentlemen's with shirts off. It sounds very exciting, the only problem is all that fat left from winter. All the extra weight and the bad winter habits have to go as soon as possible!!!

By bad winter habits I mean chocolates, deserts and fatty food that we tend to eat more when it is cold.

To start the new season with a healthy habit I suggest you to add a fresh fruit juice every morning on your diet.

Fresh fruit Juices suggestions:

Immunity recipe: Orange, ginger & apple

Digestion recipe: Celery, mint, ginger & apple

Sun tan recipe: Carrot , Beet root & orange

Energy recipe: Chlorophyl, ginseng, orange & apple

Detox recipe: Celery, pineapple & mint

Lacking and Craving

2011-09-01T21:38:00.001+10:00

I got this message from my friend Fernanda and I thought it might be interesting for you too. It is an easy and simple way to relate cravings with the lack of minerals and food sources. Sometimes it is hard to eat all the foods to achieve the daily dose intake of essential minerals. If you have a busy life and feel that you need an extra help to get all the minerals you are lacking check my previous post about a very good product from Metagenics, which is called Mineral Essentials

http://www.healthbyjulia.com/2011/08/mineral-essentials.html

If you crave this...	What you really need is...	And here are healthy foods that have it:
Chocolate	Magnesium	Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits
Sweets	Chromium	Broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans, calves liver, chicken
	Carbon	Fresh fruits
	Phosphorus	Chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, grains
	Sulfur	Cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale, cabbage
	Tryptophan	Cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
Bread, toast	Nitrogen	High protein foods: fish, meat, nuts, beans
Oily snacks, fatty foods	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
Coffee or tea	Phosphorous	Chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes
	Sulfur	Egg yolks, red peppers, muscle protein, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables
	NaCl (salt)	Sea salt, apple cider vinegar (on salad)
	Iron	Meat, fish and poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries
Alcohol, recreational drugs	Protein	Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, nuts
	Avenin	Granola, oatmeal
	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
	Glutamine	Supplement glutamine powder for withdrawal, raw cabbage juice
	Potassium	Sun-dried black olives, potato peel broth, seaweed, bitter greens
Chewing ice	Iron	Meat, fish, poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries
Burned food	Carbon	Fresh fruits
Soda and other carbonated drinks	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
Salty foods	Chloride	Raw goat milk, fish, unrefined sea salt
Acid foods	Magnesium	Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits
Preference for liquids rather than solids	Water	Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.
Preference for solids rather than liquids	Water	You have been so dehydrated for so long that you have lost your thirst. Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.
Cool drinks	Manganese	Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries
Pre-menstrual cravings	Zinc	Red meats (especially organ meats), seafood, leafy vegetables, root vegetables
General overeating	Silicon	Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
	Tryptophan	Cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
	Tyrosine	Vitamin C supplements or orange, green, red fruits and vegetables
Lack of appetite	Vitamin B1	Nuts, seeds, beans, liver and other organ meats
	Vitamin B3	Tuna, halibut, beef, chicken, turkey, pork, seeds and legumes
	Manganese	Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries
	Chloride	Raw goat milk, unrefined sea salt
Tobacco	Silicon	Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
	Tyrosine	Vitamin C supplements or orange, green and red fruits and vegetables

Welcome Baby Rafael

2011-09-01T10:30:00.000+10:00

Rafael is the son of my cousin Geraldo and his wife Karen.
Rafa is the cutest little boy and today he is turing 1 month old, congratulations Rafael!!!!
He has such a pretty face, so perfect , look how cute these photos are, he is smiling with such a young age, what a happy baby.... Can't wait to meet him

Every baby is different and have their own time to do things, but in general, most babies suffer from colic from a very early age. It breaks my heart when I see Luana struggling to make number 2.

3 tips to relief colic:

1- Always massage the baby belly after bath with an oil in clockwise direction. Bending the babies legs also helps to improve bowel movement.

2- Fennel and Aniseed tea for the mum. This is my number one tea recipe for colic relief. It only works if you are breast feeding of course! The mum drinks the tea therefore the baby receive it from the milk and helps to reduce the pain.

3- "Funchicorea"- This is a magic powder that we have in Brazil, is composed of Fennel and Chicory, comes in a powder form. All you have to do is dip the dummy into the powder and give it to the baby. It has a sweet taste which helps the baby to grab to the dummy and also calms the baby down.

There are many contradictions regarding to the relation of what the mother eats and the breast milk. I used to agree with the theory that everything we eat will come out in the milk. After all my readings I am starting to think that it is not 100% true. My pediatrician also disagrees with this theory, which makes me happy and not feeling guilty every time I have a glass of wine!

Some books says to avoid spicy foods and grains, others says it will have no effect on the baby. According to some books, countries like India where curry is in every food, it is impossible to avoid spice and not every baby suffer from colic.

I guess the best way to prove or disprove this theory is to pay attention in what you eat. If the baby get upset more than once over the same food, keep in mind that this type of food should be avoided during breast feeding. The same works for the types of food that you have eaten and has made your baby calm and relaxed!

Mummy Karen is the owner of a very famous blog in Brazil, CASAMENTEIRAS, it is worth to check it out, specially for the mums to be, there are lots of great tips for babies, baby showers and others. It also has photos of the best weddings I have ever seen, plus yummy recipes for the housewives! All in one site
www.casamenteiras.com.br

Congratulations Ge and Karen for your beautiful Rafael!!!!

Luana is dying to meet her lil cousin, so am I!

Cherry

2011-08-29T19:35:00.000+10:00

It does not only alleviate pain and inflammation, but also contain melatonin which is the hormone that helps to sleep.
Cherries are full of anthocyanins , that is antioxidants which gives its red colour. These components are responsible for the prevention of pain, helping to stop the production of certain enzymes which causes inflammation.

Cherries are very effective in the treatment of Gout - type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the joints, causing severe inflammation.

Cherries may also alleviate the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, such as fibromyalgia - pain in the joints, muscles and tendons.

Sleep Quality
Cherries also contains antioxidants like superoxide (good for the joints and for a healthy respiratory and gastrointestinal system) and the hormone melatonin, the best inhibitor of free radicals that has already been founded so far, also great for the immune system. Low levels of melatonin has been linked to insomnia and poor sleep quality.

Nutrients found in cherry:
Vitamin B3,B5, C
Betacarotene, biotin, folate, calcium, iron,magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, fibres and carbohydrates.

I suggest you to include cherries in your diet. Best option is to eat as a desert at night. If eaten during the day may cause tiredness due to its high content of melatonin, the sleep hormone!

Mineral Essentials

2011-08-21T20:07:00.000+10:00

Mineral Essentials is a multi mineral supplementation from Metagenics that provide the right doses of minerals that the body must achieve every day.

It provides minerals with enhanced bioavailability such as Meta Mag - Magnesium diglycinate, Meta Zn - Zinc diglycinate and Meta Fe Iron diglycinate to support daily requirements. These minerals support cardiovascular, immune and nervous system helth and are used in energy and hormones production.
It also contains selenium which is a powerful anti-oxidant that rejuvenate skin cells avoiding premature aging.

Multi-Essentials comes in a powder form and in 2 different flavors, Berry and Pineapple. I usually go for berry but I have tried them both and the pineapple one is actually very nice, taste fresh and is easy to drink. You simply mix it up with 200 ml of cold water and drink it up!! It is better taken with food, feels just like a pineapple juice.

The importance of probiotics and prebiotics for athletes

2011-08-07T20:49:00.001+10:00

You may have not heard about the probiotics and prebiotics before, but you probably have already eaten them. They are considered food with functional properties. In other words, it is basically foods that are beneficent for the organism.

Probiotics are living microorganism, that when linked with food, contributes to balance the intestinal microflora, it is the good bacteria that helps to eliminate the toxins and impurities and keep the nutrients and vitamins in the body.It can be found in fermented milk and yoghurt and can be found in capsules or powder form too. These bacteria belong to the Lactobacilus and Bifidobacterium gender.

Many studies suggests that probiotics have benefits in the immune system, relief of constipation, better absorption of the nutrients, relief the symptoms of lactose intolerance and decreases bad cholesterol. But its main job is to regulate the intestinal transit and protect it from possible infections.

Prebiotics are the non- digestible carbohydrates such as soluble fibres, which resist the digestive process, getting in the intestine intact, where stimulates the growth of the good bacteria that composes our intestine.
It helps to balance the intestinal microflora, stimulates intestinal flow, contributes to normal consistency of the faeces (avoiding constipation or diarrhoea), improving lactose intolerance and help to decrease the excess of cholesterol and glucose.

List of Prebiotic food:

Onion
Garlic
Tomato
Banana
Oats
Brewer Yeast
Beer
Inulin (chicory root, aspargus, wheat and onion)

Probiotics and Prebiotics are very important to those who like to do exercise, especially athletes. These group of people are more exposed to alterations in the intestinal microflora due to the high intake of food and drinks with artificial flavor such as 'gatorade', 'powerade' and others.

Alterations in the intestinal microflora result in the destruction of vitamins, enzymes inactivation, production of toxins and decreasing nutrient absorption.

Consult a health care professional to obtain the right daily dose of these foods.

Growth Spurt in babies

2011-08-06T21:12:00.000+10:00

Since I started to read about babies the term ‘growth spurt’ became more familiar. It was always in the middle of the books and in the articles that I was reading, but I must confess that I used to read a little bit about it and skip the rest. I thought it was just a myth.

Last week I experienced I real ‘Growth Spurt’, and that’s how I realized that it really happens.

Growth spurts occur at approximately 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 4 months and 6 months of your baby's life.

During these times, you will notice that your baby will be demanding additional feedings and becoming fussy, especially if you are breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, your baby may want to nurse longer and more frequently until your supply catches up. You may find yourself wondering if your breast milk supply is diminishing, be rest assured though, it is only temporary.

If you are bottle feeding, your baby may require more formula at each feed, or may require an extra bottle or two during the day, your baby will soon let you know when they're hungry. You may also find that your baby's sleep become disrupted during this time. . It is not recommended to wake the baby up and it is advised to feed them for as long as they wish.

It is recommended that mothers shouldn’t leave the house during these periods. In my case I had to go out a few times and my baby didn’t behave so bad. She actually slept more when we were out and demanded more when we were at home. She is now in a stage that she feeds 10 minutes each breast. Suddenly she started to feed for 20 minutes, then 25, and sometimes she went for 30 minutes in each breast. She is turning 3 months this week s I guess she went through the 12 weeks period of growth spurt.

It is very intense and I was exhausted. It took 48 hours to finish but after these 2 days I’ve noticed the difference on her. She is more alert and responsiveness to the world. Her sleeps patterns have also improved. She is staying more awake during the day and sleeping better at night. And she is also back to the 10 minutes of feeding.

Don’t panic if your baby wants to feed more than usual out of the blue. It doesn’t mean that she/he is back to that first week of life, things will only get better. This is an important period in their lives and it is essential for their growth and development.

Welcome Baby Zarah

2011-08-02T21:09:00.000+10:00

Zarah Maya Place
What a beautiful name! What a beautiful girl!
This gorgeous baby was born last Wednesday,on the 27th of July 2011. Mummy Mano and Daddy Jeff are doing very well.
I went to see Zarah on Sunday and I was surprised when I saw a 4 day old baby girl lying on the bed with her eyes open, very quiet, just listening to mummy, daddy and friends chatting. What a Bless.... Babies that young are usually crying when awake. This little Angel is just adorable!
We are so proud of the Place family. Luana can't wait to meet her lil girl friend.
Zarah got home yesterday and she is very happy and relaxed in her nest around mummy and daddy
Congratulations Mano & Jeff!!
Congratulations Vovo' Re!!

Better Babies

2011-07-25T14:35:00.002+10:00

Pregnancy Care

Before, During and Beyond

Yesterday I went to this amazing metagenics seminar .“Better Babies” was a seminar focused on women who are planning on getting pregnant, pregnancy and post partum women.

It is necessary to prepare the body for a healthy pregnancy. There are some fundamental aspects that are important to pay attention in order to have a healthy baby/child.

When treating a patient with infertility problems or someone who is planning to have a baby I like to treat both, the women and the men too. The importance of a healthy pregnancy has total effect on children disease, allergies and brain function.

The main aspect to look at is Diet. If we think about it, diet is everything. For the sperm to enter in the egg is not an easy job and we need very healthy and strong cells. There is nothing better than a healthy diet to make our cells happier and ready for the job.

By a healthy diet I mean: 5 serves of fruit and 3 serves of vegetables everyday

Another important point is our friend ‘STRESS’. Stress will damage the whole process. So it is important to look at things that will reduce the everyday stress in our life.

My best advices to reduce stress are: Exercise and Sunlight

20 minutes in the Sun everyday

Exercise 3 to 4 times a week.

Factors that contribute for infertility and an unhealthy pregnancy:

Obesity
Stress
Toxicity - Poor digestion, poor thyroid function, inflammation and poor diet.

Treatment

Weight Management: 10 to 13 kg during pregnancy is enough!
Reduce Toxicity/inflammation: Supplements and exercise
Detox program: before pregnancy, never during it.

And to finalise I will tell you about my secret formula for men and women who are planning to have a baby and for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Men:

Vitamin A,C and E
Zinc
Coq10
Tribulus terrestris
Fish Oil

Women:

Fish Oil
Probiotics
B12
Folic acid
Iron
Vitamin D

o Always see a Naturopath before starting a treatment

Baby Polo

2011-07-18T21:33:00.001+10:00

Welcome Baby Polo!!!!
Born on the 25th of June, Marco Polo is the son of one of my best friends Bruna and Marco Polo. He is just soooo cute! I wish I was there to share this special moment with my friend Bruna but I have no doubt 'Polinho' and Luana will be great friends in future. I can't wait to hang at Joaquina Beach with Bruna, Polinho & Luana while daddy Bruno and Marco Polo are surfing!!!
Bruna was born to be a mum and I'm sure she is doing really well
Congratulations to Grandma Witti too, I bet she is in haven with the new member of the family
Congratulations Bruna & Polo, we already love little Polo so much!

Winter Recipe

2011-07-14T17:40:00.000+10:00

This is the cold season in Australia and everyone tend to be more vulnerable to a sore throat, to get a flu or to lower energy levels due to a great amount of laziness. Winter is not very fun and people spend more time indoors than outdoors. Most of the places have a heater or air conditioner on to keep the environment warm, however most of the times we get in and out of the car the weather is not very pleasant and we have to cross very windy and wet areas. The body temperature changes very rapidly from one warm place to another freezing environment and this is one of the causes why adults and children get a cold in winter.
Tips to prevent the Flu:
Eat fruit and vegetables at least once a day. Take your vitamins and minerals everyday. It will not only prevent the flu but also maintain energy levels high!

Multi-vitamin
Echinacea
Olive Leaf
Zinc
Vitamin C
Chlorella
Vital greens
Berries

Keep yourself warm. Hot herbal teas are also a great choice:

Lemon grass tea
Ginger tea
Green tea
Ginseng tea
Echinacea tea

Drink caffeine and alcohol in moderation. A glass of wine is fine and 1 coffee a day is enough.

Exercise regularly. Make sure you stretch your body in winter. Most of the muscular tensions happen in the cold weather when the body is very stiff and tense. Yoga and Pilates are the best option. Magnesium and Calcium taken together act as a muscle relaxant.

Epsom salt bath is a relaxing and excellent idea that will also reduce tension in the muscles and remove the toxins from the body which cause stress and lead to physical and emotional imbalance.

Go on a detox every six months. To find out more about Detox check this link:

http://www.healthbyjulia.com/2011/01/detoxify-your-body-after-silly-season.html

Do you sleep well?

2011-07-04T16:50:00.000+10:00

A bad night of sleep can cause stress, decreases concentration and productivity and leads to a very bad mood. A good night of sleep is necessary to recover the body energy.

One of the main reasons that cause insomnia is the Internet. The computer screen is very light so our brain can’t differ it from sunlight. The brain thinks that is still daylight and so it limits the production of melatonin, which is the sleep hormone.

For those who do not sleep well is harder to manage body weight. It raises cortisone levels, which increase the appetite for bread, pasta and sweets.

The computer is not the only reason for a bad night of sleep. Alcohol, cigarette and sleep on your back may also contribute for poor quality of sleep.

Apnoea, the lack of breathes for a few seconds, can disturb sleep. The intervals in between each breath can lead to a more superficial sleep. People usually wake up exhausted.

Stay awake all night can result in lack of energy, difficulty in concentrate, irritability and the famous “morning mood”.

o Avoid TV 3 hours before bed

o Avoid caffeine and alcohol after 3pm

o Do exercise regularly

o Learn how to relax 2 hours before going to bed

The first month of the baby

2011-06-15T21:53:00.001+10:00

Tips for the first month of the babyThe first month the baby is very intense. Besides the joy and the love it requires lots of patience and energy to mommy and daddy.Luana was born 1 month ago and every day I learn more and understand better her routine. Luana is a good baby, she sleeps and feeds a lot during the day, but at night is not so simple, she wakes up every 2 hours to feed, sometimes every 3 hours and when I'm lucky she sleeps for 4 hours in a row. I believe that things will change over time and Im looking forward for a whole night of sleep again,Everyone tells me to sleep when she sleeps, but during the day is when I have time to take a long shower, cook some lunch and live a little bit too! In order to maintain a healthy life for the mother and the baby is necessary to focus on a healthy diet and supplements that increases energy levels,milk production and lowers stress levels, such as: a daily multivitamin, ginseng, spirulina and fish oil.

Breast feeding is the best way to feed your baby. Breast milk is the perfect food and provides the most efficient and effective delivery system. Plus there are many benefits for mom too!When breastfeeding is necessary to focus on your diet. Make sure you eat your salad along with lunch or dinner, vegetables and fiber, a diet rich in protein , avoid sugar and fried food. Soft drinks no way, it causes colic in infants. Do not skip the meals, its crucial to eat well during breast feeding. Always have a 'snack' bedside, don't starve in the mornings. Cereal bars are a great option, a portion of almonds, cashews and macadamia too.It is healthy to take your baby out, daylight is important. Luana goes out since her first week and she loves it! I think its good for the baby to get used to the noise from the street and from people since now, otherwise in future the baby can be disturbed by any kind of noise and it can be quiet stressful for the mom.

Men that wake up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet may have prostate problems

2011-06-01T16:06:00.000+10:00

Urgency to urinate, pain and sensation of not emptying the bladder are symptoms of a common disease of the prostate, benign hyperplasia (BPH), which reaches 80% of men over 50 years old. The urologist Flavio Lobo Heldwein points out that wake up at night to urinate not that normal- As the symptoms get worse slowly and gradually, most of man do not see anything wrong and get up at night becomes part of their routineNegligence is also the problem raised by the urologist Sandro Faria, director of the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU). The disease begins silently, gradually increasing the frequency of urination. Over time, can cause pain and the feeling that the bladder never empties. Advanced cases lead man to the retention or incontinence or even renal failure.- The benign prostate enlargement overwhelms the bladder muscle, which will weaken over the years and, in some way, becoming more sensitive - says Sandro Faria.Flavio Heldwein said that generally there are two problems that are correlated, the prostate and bladder that grows in a way, is weakened and sensitive.These changes in the bladder may be related to circulation problems. He states the example of people who are overweight, who do not suspect that the excess back fat can affect the prostate and bladder.    
Natural Treatment
Pygeum africanum is a large evergreen tree found in central and southern Africa. The extracts from the bark contain several compounds thought to be helpful in prostate health and have been used for more than 40 years in France, Germany, and Austria for patients suffering with prostate enlargement. Frequent interruption of sleep leads to daytime tiredness. The pharmacologic use of plants and herbs for the treatment of BPH has been growing steadily and a well-known herb used for this purpose is also saw palmetto. The extract of the African prune tree, pygeum africanum, is one of several herbal agents used by many men who have BPH.
Saw Palmeto
First used in the treatment of BPH late in the nineteenth century, Saw palmetto has been the subject numerous laboratory and clinical studies. These experiments demonstrated Saw palmetto's anti-oestrogenic and anti-androgenic (-testosterone) effects and confirmed that the extract affects many hormonally dependent pathways for prostate growth. These are considered significant interventions in the treatment of BPH. A mild diuretic, anti-inflammatory and urinary antiseptic, Saw palmetto reduces inflammation and the tendency to infection in the genitourinary tract. Traditionally seen as a nutritious tonic for both female and male reproductive systems and urinary tracts, the berry was also used to increase breast milk supply.

Welcome my Baby Luana

2011-05-17T21:49:00.003+10:00

Luana came to the world last Tuesday, 10th of May 2010. It was the most beautiful experience of my life and I am more than happy to share with you

Monday morning at 4am I went to the toilet and I have noticed something different than normal, but I didn't wanna wake up Bruno, my husband ,for no reason, so I tried to go back to sleep....a few minutes later Bruno grabbed my hand and asked if everything was all right because he had just had a dream that I was going to hospital and Luana was gonna be born. Bruno and I have a very strong connection so I didn't even think twice, I just said..... Let's go to hospital then, I think my water broke.....
I always had this idea that when the water breaks a large amount of water bursts and everything gets soaked, but it was a bit different, it started to leak slowly at 4 am and it lasted for almost 24 hours, very few drops of water as if I was having my period but instead of blood it was water.
When we got in the hospital I was so nervous and I didn't now what to say to the midwife, I wasn't sure if my water was broken I wasn't sure if that cramp was contractions, everything was so soft and I didn't wanna make a scene for nothing....
After checking baby's heart, my blood pressure, my contractions, temperature etc, etc, etc I did an urine test, that was when the midwife came and said, your water definitely broke!!!!!!!
After this moment I was sure my baby girl was really coming... so exciting, me and Bruno were just in another world.

My doctor came to see me and explained what would happened from that point. My due date was the 25th of May, Luana came 15 days earlier , I was 37 and a half weeks, which is considered full term. Dr. Leader, my obstetrician (whom me and Bruno fell in love with) said that after the water breaks they give 24 hours to see what happen and if the hard contractions and dilation didn't happen I was gonna have to be induced. Broken water for longer than 24 hours can cause some infection. So me and Bruno decided to go back home and wait to see what was gonna happen. We got home around 10 am and it was a very long day.... nothing was happening, no contractions, no bleeding. We called our families and everyone was so excited and nervous at the same time, my mum was supposed to get here on the 10th of May , tuesday at 6pm. Everyone was trying to change flights to get here on time, my dad was crying like a baby. Everyone could feel the energy.

Around 6pm in the evening I was starting to get more nervous, we had nothing else to do at home, we were literally waiting. Me and Bruno sitting in the couch trying to pretend we were watching TV, so we decided to go to hospital and wait in there under the doctors and midwifes control.
So there we were again, in that delivery suite checking for baby's heart, blood pressure, contractions, dilation... but nothing much had changed. Dr. Leader suggested that we should sleep in hospital and that I was gonna be induced the next day at 6am.
There are 2 ways to be induced. One is a gel, that is applied inside the vagina and produces a hormone that will make the water breaks and start the contractions the other one is a drip, which is an intravenous liquid that induce the contractions. Because my water was already broken I only needed the drip.
I have chosen to have an epidural, I hate to be in pain and if there was a way to get away from the pain, why not??
Many people go against the Epidural because it has its side effects. When the anesthetist came to the room he started to go through all the procedures and I must confess that I got so scared. He started to mention all the side effects of the Epidural: Nausea, vomiting, numbness, shivering, and at the end he also mentioned, "It will cause loss of movement of the legs and in rare situations it may never come back". OH MY GOD so scary. But I guess it is all part of the process and I am a very positive person I was sure everything was going to be fine.
After 30 minutes the epidural started to work and I couldn't feel my lower body anymore.
I slept the whole day.Bruno and one of my best friends Marina were in the room with me, I could hear them talking but I had no idea of what they were talking about, I was sleeping so deep and dreaming with many different things at the same time.
It was a long day. My mum and my sister were coming from Brazil and they were supposed to get in Sydney at 6pm. When it was 5pm Dr. Leader checked on me again and I was only 4cm dilated.
I remember all this midwifes and Dr. Leader coming to the room to check on me every now and then.
Around 5.30 Marina went to pick up my mum and my sister in the airport.
At 7pm Dr. Leader checked on me again and I couldn't believe when he said: "10cm dilated, we are now ready to go" my heart started to beat so fast and I started to shake.
At 7.15pm my mum and my sister got there. Just on time to see me and wish me good luck, I think Luana and I were just waiting for it to start the process.
My friends Marina and Greicy were there too. I asked everyone to wait outside the room, I just wanted Bruno there with me.
It was a beautiful moment. Dr. Leader told me what to do, every time I had a contraction I had to push soooooo hard, and as soon as the contraction stopped I had to stop pushing too, that way I wouldn't hurt my self when she came out.
At 7.20 I started th e"pushes" and at 7.55 Luana was born!
After 8 very hard pushed I could see Luana's head. As soon as the head came out she started to cry, it was unreal.... I had to wait for another contraction to push the rest of her body away.
The other contraction came, and there she was, ready to join our world!!!
I can not explain how beautiful that moment was, it will be forever in my heart.
Bruno was unbelievable, he was so calm, holding my hand and my head so I could breath better. He made me feel so confident and safe. I couldn't do it without him by my side.

Today baby Luana is one week old. She gets more beautiful everyday and my love for her grows every second!

Caffeine to treat disease

2011-05-08T18:54:00.002+10:00

For many people around the world, the day only begins only after a good cup of coffee. Most consumed psychoactive substance on the planet, caffeine has been demonized for decades. Studies have pointed to as a factor for the development of various diseases such as hypertension and ulcers, and cause abortions, harm the fetus and cause dependency. Now, however, new research shows its beneficial effects on health.
- Of all the studies published so far on caffeine, you can not extract the data to prove unequivocally that this substance presents a danger to the body - says nutrologist Credidio Edson, an expert in quality management and safety of food from Unicamp.
Also present in teas, chocolates and soft drinks, among others, caffeine - if consumed in moderation - help prevent memory loss caused by Alzheimer's disease and aging, and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The substance also could halt or even prevent Parkinson's disease and relieve asthma and headaches, among other uses. The interest around their properties in recent years has grown so much that last month was launched an international scientific journal devoted exclusively to it, "Journal of Caffeine Research".
One of the most prominent researchers in this field is the Brazilian Lisiane Porziuncola, a neuroscientist at the Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, she said, animal experiments have shown that doses between 300 and 400 milligrams of caffeine daily - the equivalent of three to four cups of coffee a day - helps protect the brain from dementia.
- We saw in mice that administration of caffeine throughout the life of animals, until they reach middle age, prevents the decline of recognition memory, which is what allows us to recognize something new in an environment that is familiar . - This memory has an impairment with age in animals and is very similar to that memory loss of Alzheimer's disease in people.
Currently, Lisiane tests whether caffeine intake only from middle age also help in prevention:
- To date, we found that animals that have reached middle age and who consumed caffeine for 30 days appear to be an improvement in the performance of the recognition task, but the data are still very preliminary.

As a Naturopath, my advice is:
If you are a coffee lover it is fine to have 1 to 2 coffees a day, as long as you eat something before that. It is not good for the body, especially the liver, to have a coffee with empty stomach in the morning. Make sure you have a juice or eat a fruit before your everyday Coffee! And to make it even healthier, add some soy or rice milk into your cup of coffee.

Read more about this in http://oglobo.globo.com/

Raw or Cooked?

2011-05-06T16:05:00.000+10:00

Think raw is always best when it comes to vegies? Karen Fittall finds out how heat can boost the health properties of some "five-a-day" favourites.

When I was at university I used to work for this Naturopath who told me once that Thai food was the best take away I could ever get because all the vegetables in a Thai dish are RAW.
According to many diets, raw foods are the best way to absorb our nutrients without destroying its properties, the theory does not always apply to every food. Check out the list of these 6 vegetables and find out the best way to prepare each of it!

Carrot
Eat it: Cooked.
To: Increase its effectiveness as a cancer fighter. According to researchers in Arkansas, cooked carrots contain 34 percent more antioxidants than raw ones. They also have more falcarinol, a compound with strong anti-cancer properties.
Researchers at the UK's Newcastle University believe it's because when carrots are cooked, their composition changes so that they lose their ability to retain water, and as that happens the concentration of falcarinol increases.

Potato
Eat it: Cooked and cooled.
To: Give your immune system a boost. Spanish research has shown how diets high in resistant starch, which is found in cold rather than hot boiled potatoes, can lead to lower levels of white blood cells, a sign that the body's immune system is working efficiently.
It's thought that the effect is produced in the large intestine, where resistant starch ferments after being pushed there from the small intestine, an organ that can't digest starch in this form.

Broccoli

Eat it: Raw or very lightly steamed.
To: Make the most of its cancer-fighting nutrients. Research has shown that a chemical called sulforaphane is responsible for broccoli's anti-cancer action, but US researchers say too much heat strips cruciferous vegies of this chemical. How? Heat destroys an enzyme in broccoli called myrosinase, and without it, sulforaphane — formed during the chewing and digestive processes — can't develop.

Tomato
Eat it: Cooked with olive oil.
To: Maximise the absorption of lycopene — an antioxidant that protects against cancer, including melanoma, and heart disease. The cooking process boosts a tomato's lycopene content, with US scientists revealing how exposure to just two minutes of heat doubles the amount available, while half an hour of cooking increases lycopene levels by 164 percent.
And add a splash of olive oil when you're cooking your tomatoes. Melbourne research found that olive oil significantly increases the amount of lycopene absorbed during digestion.

Garlic
Eat it: Crushed and rested before it's cooked.
To: Protect its "healthy heart" properties. Garlic contains a compound called allicin that protects against heart disease. Cooking inactivates the enzyme that is needed to kick-start allicin, so unless you like raw garlic, US researchers recommend crushing a clove before cooking and letting it sit for 10 minutes. This allows the enzyme to do its work before heat destroys it.

Corn

Eat it: Cooked — and the longer it's exposed to heat, the better.
To: Increase its antioxidant content. US research shows that the longer corn is cooked, the more its antioxidant levels rise, undergoing a 22 percent increase after 10 minutes of heat and more than doubling after 50 minutes of cooking.
The cooking process also releases a specific and hard-to-find antioxidant called ferulic acid, which helps fight cancer. The researchers found that it increases by as much as 900 percent after 50 minutes of cooking — but even 10 minutes is enough to increase levels by 240 percent.

www.ninemsn.com.au/health

Whether or not to keep the baby's stem cells from the umbilical cord?

2011-05-04T22:26:00.001+10:00

The importance of the umbilical cord - Stem cells

One of the most important tips that I can give you at the moment is regarding to the baby umbilical cord.

Parents have the choice to keep the baby's stem cells from the umbilical cord , it is an investment in our babies health.

Blood can be collected from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby shortly after birth. This blood is rich in cord blood stem cells that can be used to generate blood cells and cells of the immune system.

Blood stem cells can be used to treat a range of blood disorders and immune system conditions such as leukaemia and sickle cell anaemia.

Once collected, cord blood can be stored in a ‘cord blood bank’ for use as a potential source of tissue for transplant for that baby should it ever be required. As this blood originated from the person receiving it, there would be no problem with rejection of the transplanted tissue.

Alternatively, the cord blood may be donated to a general cord blood bank for use by other people in need of a transplant. It is hoped that over time, a store of cord blood samples from people of different tissue types may be established. Someone requiring a transplant would be treated with stem cells from the sample most closely matching their own tissue type, thus minimising complications associated with tissue rejection.

Sometimes it is worth to spend a little bit less in unimportant things such as a very expensive pram, expensive outfits and invest in the umbilical cord!

The good news are: If you are planning to have more kids you won't need to do it again, one umbilical cord is enough for the whole family!

No one wants to think that our baby will have a serious disease in future, but it may happen to anyone and if there is a way to prevent since now, why not?

www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au

Wellbeing by babies - Baby Kaueh

2011-04-30T18:27:00.001+10:00

Baby Kaueh is the son of one of my best friends Amanda.

He is just like a prince, so gorgeous, beautiful blue eyes and a very cute face. Amanda had a very easy labor, she is a Yoga teacher,so she practiced yoga until the last minute. She has chosen to have an epidural and only after 2 pushes baby Kaueh was born!!!

I think she did a wise choice asking for an Epidural. In Brazil everyone goes for anesthetics, it is very common, and like my doctor said: "Labor is not a game to prove how tough you are, it is about giving birth to a child".I loved this sentence by Dr. Leader and I keep that in my mind all the time.

Amanda and baby Kaueh are doing just fine, the only thing is that he suffer form colic sometimes, which is a common problem in newborns.

How to treat colic in newborn?

Be very careful with your diet. When breastfeeding, the baby is getting everything from the mum. Avoid foods that cause flatulence and encourage a healthy diet easy to digest.

Foods to avoid:

Grains: Beans, lentils,
Acai
High Fiber Food: Seeds and husks
Dairy
Fruits such as: Apple, apricot peach and pear
Dried fruits: Prunes and raisins
Vegetables: Eggplant, carrot, cabbage, sprouts, onion and brussels

A friend of mine prepared a herbal tea recipe for me and she said it was the best thing to reduce colic and calm her baby down.

Herbal tea recipe: Aniseed, Fennel seed, Fenugreek and Caraway

Thanks Fernanda, I just had a cup of your tea and it taste very nice!

Another good idea is to massage your baby belly clockwise very soft and smoothly.

Last but no least: Brauer Baby care colic relief. It has helped many friends of mine and Brauer is a great brand. Brauer colic relief is a homeopathic mixture which contains Bryonia 30C, Chamomilla 6C, Colocynthis 6C, Mag. phos. 6C.

and the recommended dose is:

Infants under 6 months: 1mL
Infants 6 months and over: 2mL
Initially, give 1 dose every half hour for 4 doses. Thereafter, 4 hourly.

Photo of: Mummy Amanda, Kaueh's aunty with baby Kaueh - Luma (Kaueh's sister) and Baby Kaueh

Congratulations to this beautiful family, Baby Kaueh is just GORGEOUS!!!!

How to fill up your plate with the right choices

2011-04-29T16:15:00.000+10:00

Functional foods are those that collaborate to improve metabolism and prevent health problems. Or at least should be so: scientists already recognize the functional properties of many of these foods.

Isoflavones, for example, compounds that help reduce bad cholesterol, are part of the human diet since the soybean was discovered by the Chinese for over 5000 years.
What has happened is a deep knowledge of the chemical nature of substances and their functional roles in the body. After a deeper study,the laboratories and the food industry began to produce a large-scale, functional foods formulated or "artificial" as fermented milk, fortified biscuits and breakfast cereals high in fiber.
Learn the benefits of some functional groups:
Beta-Carotene
Helps to reduce the risk of cancer. When you eat fat and protein, beta-carotene converts it to vitamin A, protecting cells from aging.
Sources: pumpkin, carrot, papaya, mango, apricots, spinach, kale.
Isoflavones
Reduces the symptoms of menopause.
How they act: By having a chemical structure similar to estrogen (female hormone), relieves the effects of heat, exhaustion, menopause and PMS.
Sources: Soya and its derivatives.
Lycopene
It is related to decreased risk of prostate cancer. Prevents and repairs damage from free radicals that alter the DNA of cells and trigger cancer.
Sources: Tomato and its derivatives, as well as beets and peppers.
Omega 3
Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Reduces the levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol from the blood.
Sources: Cold-water fish such as salmon and trout, and fish oil.
Flavonoids
Reduces the risk of cancer and act as anti-inflammatories.
How they act: They blur dioxin, a highly toxic substance used in pesticides.
Sources: natural grape juice and red wine, and foods such as coffee, green tea, chocolate and propolis.
Probiotics
They are live microorganisms that help balance the intestinal flora.
How they act: They prevent bacteria and other pathogens to proliferate in the intestine.
Sources: Yoghurt and fermented milk.

Inar de Castro, a researcher at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, USP.

Pregnancy Diary- 9 months!!!!

2011-04-27T18:15:00.002+10:00

Last but no least.....9 months this week. The time that every pregnant women waits for!
Pregnancy can be tricky, I always thought that 9 months would be enough to carry a baby, but it is not. The full term of pregnancy is 40 weeks, which is the same as 10 months. But from now on baby can come at any time!!

I am very big now, I don't know how my belly can still grow. Poor Luana, is all squashed inside me, not much space left to move around, but she can still manage to kick me a lot. It's ok baby, you will come out soon and will have lots of space in my arms, mummy can't wait to see you!

I am feeling good but very tired sometimes. I am still doing exercise, but very smoothly and not very often. I try to go for a walk at least once a week and keeping up with my pilates and yoga once a week.
But only if I feel comfortable to do it. I don't think is a good idea to force your body too hard. Walk is good and helps to induce the baby at the end, but make sure you walk on your own pace and avoid going up hills.

Today I started to take Raspberry leaf extract. It taste very bad but it has lots of benefits during pregnancy.

Raspberry leaf is probably best know as an uterine tonic. This is due to a constituent found in this leaves called fragarine.It is taken by many women during pregnancy to strengthen and tone the uterus which results in more effective and well-regulated contractions during labor, the result being an easy delivery. The leaf is also traditionally used to ease morning sickness, though there is still a debate over how this effect occurs.
It is only recommended in the second and third trimesters but always check with your Naturopath before taking any herbal medicine during pregnancy.
Raspberry leaf also relief heavy bleeding after labor and improves milk production when breastfeeding
It can be taken as a tea - 3 cups a day or as a liquid tincture which is the most effective and powerful way. Take 5 mls once a day. Tablets are also available but are not as effective as the other methods.

www.wellbeing.com.au

Top 6 ways to improve digestion over the Easter holiday

2011-04-24T18:56:00.002+10:00

Top 6 ways to easy digest all the chocolate from Easter

Have a cup of Peppermint tea while eating your chocolate, it will reduce bloating
Go for a walk sometime during the long weekend, it will reduce the feeling of guilt and also improve digestion
Do not eat all your chocolate at once, eat small amounts a few times during the day.
Add a large plate of salad in one of your meals everyday. Green salad, especially lettuce, is great for digestion.
Drink lots of water. More than your normally do.
Eat fibre rich food, not ONLY CHOCOLATE. Fibres will improve digestion and also work as a laxative to improve bowel movement.

Foods that are rich in Fibre

Fruits
Oats
Cerals
Nuts
Vegetables
Grains (brown rice, beans, lentils)
Wholemeal bread
dried fruits

It is necessary to drink lots of water when eating a diet rich in fibre. Liquid will allow the fibres to work smoothly in the body.
Fibres are very good for digestion and also help to control a healthy weight. It also prevents cancer, diabetes and help to regulate cholesterol levels in the body.

Wellbeing by babies

2011-04-24T18:25:00.000+10:00

Welcome Zephyr!!

Zephyr was born on good Friday, 22nd of April, perfect labor and perfect weight. He is the son of my friends Megan and Mark and he is sooo cute. Couldn't help my self any longer to go and visit him... Me and my husband Bruno went to the hospital yesterday and we were both amazed and happy to see such a cute boy. I have a few friends pregnant and some of them already had the baby. Megan was the one before me on the list, so I knew that as soon as she had the baby it would become more real that my time is really coming. I'm next!
It was really good to see that Megan did a great Job, after being induced she went on labor and only after a few hours baby Zephyr was born. She was looking amazing, and so happy!

Congratulations Megan and Mark!

Wellbeing by babies

2011-04-20T19:45:00.003+10:00

After the 2011 Baby boom Wellbeing will be posting photos of all these cute newborn babies. There will be a space to share stories and experiences between mothers and friends whom would like to join us! And off course we will be talking about health tips to our babies.

This is Emily, she is the cutest little princess. She was born On March 15th , mummy Fernanda and Daddy Dave couldn't be any happier with their little angel. I went to see Emily when she was 1 week old, she was sleeping for more than an hour. My friend Fernanda said she is like an angel. She sleeps a lot and rarely cry, what a dream! This is what we all want for our babies. She is a baby pisces, and according to my theory, baby pisces are the best! Calm, relaxing, they live in their own world always sharing peace and love to all of those around them. I have a brother and a sister who were born in March, also Pisces, they are both angels and are much more calm them me (Aries) and my younger brother (Cancer). As you can see I am very into Astrology , it is all based on scientific study and it has lot of influences on babies. I wonder what star sign will my baby be? Taurus or Gemini??

Congratulations Fe & Dave!! Wellbeing wishes you lots of love.

Pregnancy and Exercise

2011-04-19T20:11:00.000+10:00

The Benefits of Exercise in Pregnancy

Regular exercise can help reduce back pain, improve or maintain muscle tone, reduce leg cramps, swelling and constipation and improve sleep patterns. Women who exercise regularly often feel better about themselves and their changing body during pregnancy.
Women who exercise are less likely to experience fatigue due to improved sleep, reduced anxiety, reduced pain perception, reduced neuromuscular tension (has a tranquilizer effect) and improved fitness.

Do's and Don'ts of pregnancy exercise

Every pregnant women must take special precaution and considerations with exercise during pregnancy. Some essential guidelines are listed below to help you with a safe exercise program during your pregnancy.

Do consult your doctor, obstetrician, midwife

When starting a new exercise program, or continuing with your current exercise program in pregnancy, it is important to consult with your specialist, midwife or obstetrician. If you have any specific problems or discomforts, you should make sure you discuss these to determine if you need to take any special precautions. The type and amount of exercise that you normally do and have done recently will influence the advice that your doctor or midwife provides when giving you advice regarding exercise during pregnancy.

Do not overheat

Avoid exercise on extremely hot or humid days. Position yourself near the air conditioner or fan for aerobic classes. Do not use the solarium, spa, steam room or overheat pools. Keep fluid intake before, during and after exercise. Drink small amounts of fluid frequently. Avoid exercise in the heat of the day.

Watch your heart rate

Keep your heart rate under 150 bpm . Exercise at your own comfort level.

Wear a bra

Always wear a good supportive bra while exercising. Check your bathing costume for support also if you are doing water aerobics. You may wish to wear a bra under your costume.

Do not exercise for long on your back

Do not spend a long time exercising while lying on your back. Choose exercises/stretches that are done while seated upright. It is not recommended that you exercise lying on your back from 16-18 weeks of pregnancy or after the first trimester. These are some exercises that can be modified and performed on your side as an alternative.

Eat carbohydrate before exercise

Blood sugar levels can fluctuate rapidly during pregnancy. Always eat food containing carbohydrate 1-2 hours before exercising. Carry juice if you if you feel faint or dizzy. If this occurs, slow down or stop exercising.

Do pelvic floor exercise

Pelvic floor muscles exercises are essential. You must exercise your pelvic floor muscles before, during and after pregnancy.

Ideal exercise during pregnancy

Walking
Low impact aerobics
Water aerobics
Pregnancy exercise classes
Cycling
Swimming
Yoga
Pilates
Light weight training

Exercises to avoid during pregnancy

Heavy weights
Bouncing
Contact sports
Any activity which cause pain
Excessive twisting and turning activities
Exercises that require you to hold your breath
Prolonged standing static exercise
Exercise that incease curve in the lower back

www.thepregnancycentre.com

What do you Know about epilepsy?

2011-04-13T20:45:00.001+10:00

The disease of the XIX century, described as an electric disturbance. Over a billion of people are subjected to experience an epileptic episode every year. The signs of an epileptic attack are: Loss of movement, foam in the mouth and the eyes rolling.
Experts in this field are speculating that first symptoms develop at young age and are related to memory loss, depression, infertility, erectile dysfunction and frequent headaches.
We might be too young too worry about that now, but it is important to prevent any kind of symptom mentioned above and deal with it since now.
Memory loss can be treated with supplements like Fish oil, Phytotherapy (herbal medicine) and cross words or sudoku type of game
Infertility and Erectile dysfunction can also be treated with herbal medicine,a healthy diet and exercise
Depression is linked to a series of factors and anti depressants can cause headache. Therefore, seek for advice since young age to prevent serious problems in future.

For more information ask your health care professional julia@wellbeingbynature.com

Insomnia in pregnancy

2011-04-12T17:21:00.000+10:00

It starts around the sixth month and becomes more uncomfortable in between 7 to 9 months.

Reasons that cause insomnia during pregnancy

o Anxiety: The idea that soon there will be a new member in the house is very exciting, lots of things to organize before the baby arrives, the bedroom, the baby shower, the clothes, the furniture, everything is new and all this ideas can come up in the middle of the night disrupting sleep

o Discomfort: As we get bigger it is hard to find the right position to accommodate the belly, and turning sides can be painful sometimes

o Toilet: We tend to feel very thirsty during pregnancy; therefore we drink loads of water, which is very important. There is only one problem, waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom can really disrupt sleep. Some women that I know wake up more than 5 times to pass an urine at night

o Poor appetite: At the end of the pregnancy many women suffer from heartburn, reflux and nausea, and because the baby is very big there is not much space left for food. Never go to bed hungry, empty stomach will strongly interfere with a good night of sleep

How to treat insomnia in pregnancy

o Exercise: Go for a walk or do some exercise during the day, this is necessary to relax the mind and the body at night

o A healthy diet based on small and light meals. Suggestion- Burcher muesli in the morning, fish, rice and salad for lunch and a vegetable soup for dinner. A lots of water always

o Try to drink lots of water during the day and not so much at night, this will reduce the feeling of full bladder in the middle of the night and consequently will stop to disrupt sleeping

o Find a comfortable position to sleep. A big pillow in between the legs may be helpful. Sleeping on your side is the most adequate position, especially on the left side, because the heart is on the left side, which will send more oxygen and nutrients to the baby. It will also improve circulation when lying on your left side.

Study have shown that insomnia at the end of pregnancy is the body getting used to what is coming next. Once the baby is born, the mother will have to wake up many times in the middle of the night to breastfeed!

Pregnancy diary-8 motnhs

2011-03-28T20:42:00.001+11:00

Today I went to my 8 months appointment at the obstetrician. Time is going so fast!!
From now on the visits at the doctor start to get more frequent. I will have to come in every 2 weeks
I was so happy today when I weight myself and I lost 2 Kg since last visit. At first I thought it was bad for the baby, but the doctor said it is all right because from 6 to 7 months I put on 4 kg in a month so it was not too bad to loose 2Kg in a month, it kind of compensated for last months over indulgences.
My belly is much bigger and so is the baby, I guess the weight loss is related to all the reflux and sickness that I mention last week.

Last weekend was the Baby shower. Me and my husband decided to have a party for Luana instead of a traditional Baby shower where only girls can attend. It was a great day, I had a very nice time and I'm sure Luana was happy inside my belly to see everyone together celebrating her baby shower. She got so many nice presents, I was so excited with all the cute stuff that she got, I could not even sleep!

What's next?
When we are hitting the last few months it is time to get everything organized. Baby's furniture, cot, changing table, bassinet, pram, play matt, car seat, monitor, bottles, diapers, wraps, etc.... so many things. I could go on and on with so many details that are useful for the baby.
Washing baby's clothes will be my next step. It is recommended to wash and Iron all the clothes to prevent germs and bacteria of direct contact with the baby's body.

The last 2 months can be stressful and overwhelming for some parents, it is getting close to the due date, the baby is heavy, there are not many positions for the mother and thoughts about the labor are going through our head more often. Remember to keep calm and enjoy it!
How can you deal with it?

Rescue remedy can be a very good choice to avoid panic and stress. Take 4 drops 4 times a day
Chamomile tea - 2 cups a day
Exercise - It will help to deal with stress improve circulation
Prenatal Massage - will reduce fluid retention and relax the mind & body
Light meals - avoid heavy and spicy foods
Do everyday something that you LOVE

Earth Hour 26/03/11

2011-03-26T17:45:00.001+11:00

Earth Hour tonight 20:30 - 21:30, we all have a part to play for a more sustainable world, together we can make a difference. Let's turn off the lights and light the candles!!

Herbs that reduce sugar craving

2011-03-21T20:48:00.000+11:00

A well-balanced, nutritionally adequate diet helps to stabilise blood sugar levels and decreases cravings. Eliminating simple sugars, increasing complex carbohydrates, consuming adequate protein, avoiding caffeine, increasing essential fatty acids and decreasing saturated fats and fried foods can all help to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

The key to stabilising blood sugar levels is eating regular meals (including breakfast) based on slow releasing foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrains (rather than refined white rice and breads), beans , meat and fish. Have regular protein snacks, and meals in the diet that are low on the glycaemic scale such as eggs and nuts as protein, are some of the best foods you can eat to get rid of cravings of sugar. Adding spices such as cinnamon and cloves has also been shown to reduce sugar cravings.
Serotonin is manufactured in the brain from amino acid called tryptophan, which can be found in food such as meat, tofu, almond, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and tahini. These foods are much better choice than refined carbohydrates that are often craved when serotonin levels need a boost

Some herbs help to reduce sugar craving. Ask your Naturopath for a herbal tincture composed by Gymnema, Adaptogenic herbs and Liver herbs

Gymnema

This ayurvedic herbs is a great choice to reduce sugar craving when used in low doses. Adding a few drops of the liquid herbs to your tongue will anaesthetise the sweet tastebuds and destroy the taste for sweet foods for several hours afterwards, rendering sweet foods tasteless

Adaptogenic herbs
Herbs that are classed as adaptogens enable the body to adapt to stress with fewer fluctuations in appetite, mood and sleep patterns. They are very helpful for those who overeat due to emotional stress. Adaptogenic herbs includes: Withania, rhodiola, Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng and licorice root.

Liver herbs
The liver has hundred jobs to do including metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Enhancing the function of this vital organ with the use of liver herbs such as St. Mary's thistle and dandelion roots will help to ensure the nutrients from your food are correctly absorbed and utilised and reduce the risk of developing cravings arising from the malabsorption of nutrients.

WellBeing Magazine
www.wellbeing.com.au

Pregnancy diary-week 30 (Nausea & Reflux)

2011-03-15T21:01:00.000+11:00

More delicate than I thought, the 7th month is being difficult sometimes. I have been feeling sick every now and then, the same feeling that I had on the 2nd month. Not as bad as before, but not very pleasant. I am back to ginger tablets , which are helping a lot.

I am hungry when I wake up, but the only thing I feel like eating/drinking is a fresh fruit juice. No cereals, no sandwich, no eggs, not yoghurt, nothing! Just a fresh juice, so I make sure my juice will contain lots of nutrients and minerals to provide to my baby.

Best Breakfast Recipe:

2 Carrots: Vitamin A, Beta carotene
2 Apples: Neutralize the body
3 Oranges: Vitamin C, Iron
1 Pear: fiber, vitamin B2, Vitamin C, E & Potassium

You can use a blender or a juicer to mix everything together and it taste delicious e refreshing!

Many women in the last trimester of pregnancy suffer from Reflux, Heartburn and Nausea and we don't feel like eating anything. But it is very important to have a healthy diet at this stage because now it's when our baby will need nutrients the most. Baby is getting ready to be delivered and it is necessary for him/her to put on weight now. Otherwise a baby can be born with premature weight.

Avoid sitting or standing for too long. Go for a walk when you can, it will help to breathe and improve circulation.

Chocolate

2011-03-10T21:25:00.003+11:00

Today I felt sick all day, it was one of those days during my pregnancy....
I did not feel like eating anything, but of course I ate.I had to force my self to eat well, I did it for the health of my baby.

The only thing I really felt like eating was chocolate! I was ready for bed and I realized that there was no chocolate in my house. How am I gonna sleep then??

I had to get changed and run to the shops to get some chocolate. So, me and my lovely husband (who was wearing his pijamas as well) went to get some chocolate.

I bought quiet a few. But I ate just a piece! Just the idea of not having chocolate at home drives me crazy. Now that I stock up my kitchen I feel much more calm and relaxed. I don't feel like eating everything in one goal, but at least I know that if I have an attack I have got lots of chocolate at home!

Due to my chocolate crisis I decided to do some study about the benefits of chocolate. Just to make me feel better and less guilty. Hope it will help you too

The Benefits of chocolate:

Chocolate contains high amount of flavonoids. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants which prevents the body from aging.
It tastes god
It stimulates endorphin production,which gives a feeling of pleasure
It contains serotonin, which acts as anti-depressant
it contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulant
It contains vitamin B1,B2 ,D & E
Contains Calcium, potassium & Magnesium
Chocolate is effective for treating patients suffering from anemia, kidney stones and poor appetite for the cure
Eat chocolate regularly, but in moderation, improves digestion and promotes kidney

As we can see chocolate is not so bad. Although some of them have high amounts of sugar, the list of benefits can make us feel much better and enjoy it with one condition:

Everything should be taken in moderation!!

Pregnancy diary-week 29

2011-03-07T19:39:00.000+11:00

I haven't write about my pregnancy since week 24. It has been more than a month . So now I will update you with what happened from 6 months until today

When I completed 6 months (24 weeks) I started to feel really tired, I thought it would be like that until the end. But just like a crazy hormonal change , pregnancy changes all the time. One day you are tired , the next day you are a super women! So don't be upset if you have an emotional crisis, it is not the first and it wont be the last during this beautiful journey.

I am heavier than last month, that's for sure, but I am still doing my Pilates, Yoga and walks every week. I am also doing a massage with a 'Doula' once a week which is helping me to breathe better and eliminate all the fluid retention.

My baby girl is kicking a lot, I can feel her moving all day long and it is the best feeling ever.
My friend asked me the other day 'Why do you keep your hands in your belly all the time?'
Because it is sooo good to feel my baby moving..... I am gonna miss that!

Baby is now weighing around 1- 1.5 kg . As the baby grows bigger and needs more space inside the uterus, the other organs are getting compressed and so does the ribs. It is difficult to breathe sometimes. Yoga and massage (specific for pregnancy) are very important at this stage.
Yoga will help you to practice a complete deep breath, inhaling air from the belly to lungs and chest and exhaling from chest to lungs and belly.
Massage will also give more space in between the ribs to make it easier to breathe.
This 2 activities will be very important in Labour.

Apart from that , I am very happy and enjoying every moment of my pregnancy!
Cannot wait to meet my baby girl

Massive Vitamin & Supplement Sale!!

2011-03-02T10:17:00.000+11:00

Dear patients and friends,

This week was my last week of work at Qi Natural therapies & Yoga in Manly. I will be away for a few months due to my pregnancy.

I have a range of vitamins and supplements, which I would like to sell out instead of keeping it in a box while I am away from work.

I will post the list below, contact me if you are interested in any of these products:

All the products mentioned in the list are practitioner range (very good quality)

Zinc Nutrition Care 30 Tablets

Was: $35 Now $20

Metagenics SHAKE IT 560g– Protein Shake (Meal replacement)

Was: $65 Now $45 (including a shaker)

Omega 3-6-9 Nutrition Care

Was $40 Now $20

Metagenics Iron Supplement – Haemagenics Intensive Care

Was $20 Now $15

Nutrition Care Gut relief

Was $50 Now $35

Sinus Relief - Brauer

Was $30 Now $15

For more information: julia@wellbeingbynature.com

Lacking Iron?

2011-02-24T17:57:00.000+11:00

Lack of Iron is more common in women than Men. The reason for that is because women have their period once a month and tend to loose more blood than Men. Men tend to eat more red meat than women.
Anaemia is linked to low Iron in the body and it can lead to more serious condition if not treated in early stages

Sings of Iron deficiency are:
-Fatigue
-Hair loss
- Low immunity
-Stress
- Irritability
- Pale face
-Mood swings

Does it sound like you? So you should take a blood test to check your Iron levels before taking supplements. Do not take supplements without seeing a professional.

Food sources to improve Iron

-Blackstrap Molasses (Kiki's tip)
- Red Meat
- Green Vegetables (Spinach, cabbage, Broccoli )
- Dried fruits (dried apricot, dried dates)
- Black beans
- Barley
-Vitamin C ( the presence of Vitamin C in food increases Iron absorption)

Hint: Take a vitamin C or an Orange juice half an hour before eat the foods mentioned above or Iron supplement, this will improve absorption of Iron.

Do you suffer from ulcers in your mouth very often?

2011-02-18T22:43:00.001+11:00

This is a sign of an Acidic PH.

When the body is too acidic as a result of acid forming foods, high fat, mucus forming foods, and toxic food residues, disease and infections proliferate. This is especially true in cases of arthritis and rheumatic situations.

Most foods are alkaline by nature, but manufactured processed foods are acidic. It is important to balance each meal with 75% alkaline to 25% acidic to maintain health.Perfect body pH is 6.4 above is alkaline and below is acidic. It is important that your daily dietary intake of food naturally balances your body pH.

Check out the list of foods to keep a balanced PH

Acidic Foods

Coffee
Cheese
stress
Red Meat
Fish
Chicken
Processed food
tomato
sugar

Alkaline Foods

Avocado
Cherry
Green Vegetables
Spirulina
Chlorophyl
Sprouts
Herbs
Soy milk
Lime
orange
Barley

To check your body Ph there are 2 different ways

Ph saliva test, which is the most accurate and the urine test.

For more information email me at julia@wellbeingbynature.com

Pregnancy diary-How to improve milk production?

2011-02-17T11:25:00.000+11:00

I have been working at Healthy life lately, a health food store that I used to work 2 years ago, and I have been noticing lots of mothers asking about health choices to improve milk production.

Most of women have the desire to breastfeed their babies. Maternal milk is fundamental for baby development, it prevents from skin allergies, creates antibodies and allows the baby to growth healthier
Perceived or real insufficient milk supply is a common concern of women, and is a major cause of infant weaning. While changes to breastfeeding management will be sufficient to increase milk supply in most women, some find benefit in taking galactagogues.

Galactagogues are substances that promotes milk in human and animals

Herbs that improve milk supply

Fennel - Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel seed’s general actions include those of a circulatory stimulant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, galactagogue and anti-spasmodic. These particular reasons make it a good milk aid. It is also used in many colic remedies. In low doses this can be used for heartburn in pregnancy but large doses are toxic and an emmenagogue. This can be used in tincture or tea.

Fenugreek- trigonella graceum foecus

This herb is a standard among lactation consultants. It is agalactagogue, stomachic, anti- diabetic mucilaginous herb. This herb is used in flavoring maple syrup, and Indian curries. Fenugreek is used in many mother’s milk teas and is used as a poultice for mastitis. The dose is safe up to 6 grams per day and if using on a regular basis, moms report their skin can smell somewhat like maple syrup, but the babies do not seem to mind. Many lactation professionals will mix this with blessed thistle. If you have diabetes or are hypoglycemic use with caution, It does not replace insulin therapy. In studies done with diabetics fenugreek also reduces cholesterol level. This herb is also an emmenagogue and not to be used during pregnancy as it can cause contractions.

Goat’s rue- Galega officianalis
It is a wonderful herb for milk supply and is safe to use if you are tandem nursing or are pregnant and needing to develop more breast ductal tissue. This herb is a galactagogue, diuretic, diaphoretic and it reduces blood glucose levels. So be cautious if you are diabetic or hypoglycemic. it does not replace insulin therapy. Animal studies show that this herb can increase milk supply up to 50 percent.

There is a very good tea, the Weleda Nursing Tea, which is specific for breastfeeding. Alternatively you can ask your Naturopath to prepare herbal tea specially for you including the herbs mentioned above

Gracie Diet

2011-02-14T21:49:00.000+11:00

How to improve Digestion

Do you feel bloated after meals? It has lots to do with what foods you are mixing together. According to the very famous Gracie Diet, foods are separated in 6 different groups. Check it out each group and make the right combinations. If you follow this strategy for 2 weeks your digestion will be improved and consequently you will loose weight!

Group A - Animal proteins, fats & oils and Greens & leafy Vegetables

Foods that combine with each other and one from group B

Group B - Starch, grains and cereals

Foods incompatible with each other

Group C - Sweet Fruits

Foods that combine with each other and one food from group B, as long as they are not prepared using fat

Group D - Acid foods

These foods don't combine with each other or any other

Group E - Raw Banana

Combine with milk, cooked egg yolk and all dairy products

Do not combine with foods from Group A, Avocado, Egg whites, Oils and Fats, oily fruits, olives, meat of any kind, SUgar in general, Sweets

Group F - Milk

Is compatible with Foods from Group B, Avocado, Baked or Raw banana, cooked or baked apple, Egg yolk, Milk and Dairy products (except butter) and Pumpkin

Incompatible with: Apple juice, butter, curd and yoghurt, egg white, greens meat, oil and fat, sweet fruits

For more information about The Gracie Diet you can check the website www.gracie.com/diet

IMPORTANT

2011-02-08T16:36:00.000+11:00

In Regards to my previous post (vitamin C and prawn), I decided to study a bit further to find out more about that case. There are some controversies about the statement which says that a lady died in Taiwan after taking vitamin C and eating prawn due to the production of arsenic acid.
It makes sense in a way that taking vitamin C with empty stomach can cause heartburn and acidity and of course if you eat something very heavy right after, it can upset even more your stomach.
I don't believe the reason of the death was only caused by the mixture of Vitamin C and Prawn. It may be a series of reasons involved in this case such as: The prawn could have been raw and toxoplasmosis could have happened

I found another article which states that:
"Prawn does not turn into arsenic acid when combined with vitamin C. Arsenic is a basic element, as listed on the periodic table of elements. It is not formed by combining any one thing with any other; it exists as in the same way gold does. In any case we haven;t turned up any "medical report" (received from the unnamed but authoritative-sounding "my friend" or not) that links prawns and Vitamin C with arsenic toxication. Likewise we have found no news accounts of any death occurring in Taiwan from this combination "
www.snopes.com

In my opinion, we should always take our vitamins with caution. Do not take certain vitamins with empty stomach and only take whatever is prescribed by your health care practitioner.
DO NOT AUTO MEDICATE YOURSELF!!!

PRAWN + VITAMIN C * = FATAL POISONING

2011-02-04T12:31:00.000+11:00

HOW TO PRODUCE ARSENIC NATURALLY

In Taiwan, a woman died suddenly with signs of bleeding in her ears, nose, mouth and eyes.
After a preliminary autopsy, she was diagnosed as causes of death by arsenic poisoning. But what was the source of the arsenic?

The police then began a thorough and extensive investigation. A professor of medicine was asked to help solve the case.

  Professor carefully examined the existing remains of the victim in the stomach, and within half an hour the mystery was explained.
The professor said: "The death was not due to suicide or murder, the victim was killed accidentally by ignorance!"

  "The arsenic was produced in the stomach of the victim. " The victim was taking Vitamin C every day, which by itself is no problem.
  The problem is that she had prawn for dinner. However, at the same time, the victim also took Vitamin C, this is where the problem lies.

  Researchers at the University of Chicago in the U.S. have found through experience that foods such as prawns "soft shell" contains high concentration of arsenic compounds of potassium-5.

  These fresh foods on its own are not toxic to the human body! However, it may be toxic when taking vitamin C ,due to a chemical reaction, the initiallynon-toxic arsenic K-5 (also known as carbon oxide and arsenic - AS2O5).

   This becomes the toxic arsenic K-3 (ADB arsenic trioxide), also known as arsenic trioxide (AS2 O3), which is known as arsenic!

  Thus, as a precaution, DO NOT eat prawns after taking Vitamin C.

Pregnancy diary - week 24

2011-02-01T13:55:00.000+11:00

Last but not least..... it seemed so far away when I used to think about my "6 months" , but here I am, with my big belly and feeling very well. I really enjoyed the second trimester of my pregnancy. I had lot of energy and I was able to do everything I wanted, or at least almost everything.

Things to enjoy enjoy on the second trimester:
- Exercise (mild to moderate)
- Yoga
- Work (depending on what kind of work you do)
- Travel
- Dance (with moderation)
- Rest/Sleep
- Massage: Lymphatic drainage to reduce fluid retantion
- Iron rich food such as : Black Beans, organic lean meat, acai, black molasses, green vegetables

Things to avoid on the second trimester:
- Alcohol ( 1 glass of wine or champagne a week is all right)
- Smoke
-Heavy exercise
- Stress
- Fried, junk, raw or processed food
- High heels
- Aspartame

It is summer time in Australia and thank god the weather has been wonderful, but very very hot! Today is 36 degrees and I am feeling very dizzy. Although it is boiling outside I had to defrost my black beans. It is very rich in Iron and a good source of protein.

Iron levels tend to drop with 5 months of conception. Check with your obstetrician if your levels are low, do not take supplement before you take a blood test. Iron in excess can lead to constipation.

Libido during pregnancy

2011-01-29T00:27:00.003+11:00

The seesaw of libido during pregnancy
According to the gynecologist and obstetrician Luis Fernando Aguiar, from São Paulo, the physical, hormonal and emotional experiences make female sexual desire up and down during the nine months. In general, the scale works like this:

First trimester

It can happen a drop in libido in about 80% of women. It's the peak of progesterone in the ovary and it lessens the desire. The pregnant woman is more in the cocoon while the baby starts to develop. The breasts are more sensitive and some women experience nausea. The increased urination is the result of pressure that the growing uterus exerts on the bladder. A little more drowsiness and fatigue resulting from vascular dilatation can also cool sex.

Second trimester

During this period, the woman tends to gain energy because of the growth hormone, GH. By accelerating the metabolism of cells and tissues rehydrate the body, this hormone increases vitality, then, gives a boost in libido. The vagina is sensitive due to increased vascularity of the region. Self-esteem also increases because uncertainties and doubts about the baby's gone. No more nausea, urinary frequency is back to normal.

Third trimester

The belly, or rather, the big belly and the approaching birth can bring some anxiety. Vaginal lubrication decreases slightly, hindering the penetration.According to sex therapist Laura Muller, this can be mitigated by using water-based lubricants and the choice of more comfortable positions. "If the penetration is still uncomfortable, better not to insist. Pleasure can come from oral sex, masturbation and of several strokes, "says Laura.

http://bebe.abril.com.br/gravidez/saude/gangorra-libido-gravidez.php

The FAT hormone

2011-01-24T13:43:00.001+11:00

Insulin may be the main reason why you are not loosing weight.

Overeating isn't always the cause of weight gain and the inability to burn fat. If you are one of many people currently eating a healthy diet, getting lots of exercise and physical activity but finding yourself unable to shift body fat, a hormone may be culprit.

Fat is a functioning organ just like your kidneys, liver and brain. Its the hormones job's to direct the functions of these organs.

Most people know of insulin only in the context of diabetes. Insulin allow sugar or glucose from food to enter your cells to be turned into fuel. If you had no insulin the sugar would stay in your blood and your cells would literally starve to death, unable to produce energy. When your body cannot produce enough insulin or you become insensitive to insulin, you have a condition called diabetes.

What happens if you have too much insulin?

It's been known since the 1960's that if you want to loose fat you need to lower your insulin levels. If insulin levels are too high, the hormone whose job is to get the fat out of your cells cannot work. The ACCORD study, published in 2008 in the New England journal of Medicine found that type 2 diabetics treated with insulin actually got fatter than the control group over a 12 month period. Around one-third of the insulin-treated group gained over 10kg.

Insulin make us fat by opening up the channels in fat cells that allow them to absorb fat. More insulin equals more fat being absorbed into fat cells, so if your body is producing too much of this hormone you're going to get fatter. If you eat fat in the absence of insulin, the fat cannot enter your fat cells. That is the reason why you shouldn't starve in between meals.

Once you starve , everything you eat will be absorb into fat cells, however, if you eat every 4 hours, foods will not become fat.

7 ways to lower your insulin and start loosing fat

Good nutrition. Starving cells need more nutrients to function normally
Go to bed early. Sleep is essential to prevent and reverse high insulin
Energise your body with energy-building activities such as thai-chi, yoga, qi gong and gentle walking
Watch your carbs. Choose very low or low GI carbohydrates.
Natural remedies to lower insulin include cinnamon, chromium, B complex, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, bitter melon and fennel
Graze regularly on healthy foods to reduce sugar cravings and fuel your cell. Don't do what Sumo wrestlers do and skip breakfast
Detox regularly

This article was published at Wellbeing Magazine

Pregnancy diary - week 22

2011-01-19T11:43:00.001+11:00

I just got back from my holidays and I must confess that I got a bit confused of which week am I now?
I spent pretty much one week on my journey back to Australia. I left Caribe Monday last week , than we spent 1 night in San Francisco, we got in Sydney thursday last week, I was so jet legged that when I realized, it was Monday again...I was sure it was week 23 but then I receive this email saying that I was 22 weeks pregnant, but every thursday I complete one week, therefore I am now 22 weeks pregnant!

My baby brain is not working very well. I heard people saying that pregnant women forget everything. This happens because the baby is growing so the uterus is pushing the organs, the lungs become very compressed and oxygenated blood takes longer to get into the brain, that's the reason why we think slower than we used to do. But as soon as baby is delivered, it all goes back to normal, and there is no more excuses to forget things... Oh god Im gonna miss my pregnancy, everyone comprehends my excuses

I mentioned above my long journey to get back in Sydney. I am not a big fan of flying, specially long trips and specially pregnant. We had a terrible flight back home, there was a problem with the engine right before take off, so we had to wait 4 hours and a half inside the plane and there were lots of engineers coming in and out of the plane. It was pretty scary. The flight attendants weren't very friendly,one of them dropped a trey with 5 glasses of champagne on me, just to make things easier...
I didn't enjoy the flight very much and I don't wanna fly anymore until I have my baby

Very important tip if you are planning a trip during your pregnancy. Vitamin C
All the vitamin C in the body is destroyed because of the altitude. I recommend a good dose of vitamin C before, during and after flying.

Avoid any chances to get a flu while pregnant!

Detoxify your body after the silly season

2011-01-10T10:33:00.001+11:00

Detox program for summer
It is very important to go on a detox at least twice a year, specially after Christmass and New Year. We all tend to eat more and over indulge ourselves.

Cleansing and purifying food restrictions are often touted as giving health benefits. We may eat too much and do too little exercise, but do we need to go to extremes of detox? There is no scientific evidence to support the benefits of intense detoxifying or fasting and most dieticians don't promote routine fasting or extreme forms of detoxing.

Detox is the informal word we use for detoxification, representing a range of ways to rid waste and toxic substances from the body. Medically it's the term that refers to getting rid of harmful or excess drugs, such as alcohol or illicit drugs, from the blood stream. Detoxifying from these substances should only be instigated with professional help of a doctor, plus a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

Fine line between hazard and health
Fasting for 24 hours is not dangerous for a healthy person who is drinking water. During this period you may feel great and the feeling of empty can be a positive experience if you prone to constipation or eating too much on a regular basis.

Prolonged fasts, on the other hand, of 48-72 hours or programs based only on water, lemon juice, vinegar or restricted vegetables are hazardous. Early signs of lack of nutrition are dizziness, mood swings, irritability, lethargy and headaches. Frequent episodes of fasting might lower your metabolic rate, so that the benefits of any weight loss are reduced each time you try and fast.

It's also important to not fast or detox without medical supervision. This is especially the case if you are on any medication or have raised blood pressure, heart disease, hypoglycaemia, diabetes, insulin resistance, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, kidney stones or disease, ulcers or if you are Pregnant or elderly.

Five easy detox steps
Here are some recommendations on how you can help cleanse and purify your body in a safe way. Use these guidelines as a long-term platform on which to build healthy eating habits.
1. Eliminate non-essentials such as alcohol, caffeine, fried foods, takeaways, processed foods, soft drinks and lollies, as well as extra vitamins and minerals, unless you have a proven deficiency. You do not need to eliminate everything straight away. Reduce at a pace that doesn't stress you out!

2. Add the liquid to rinse. Think of hosing out the gastric tract in an easier way than colonic irrigation. The best for this is drinking tap water. No fancy waters or other drinks are needed. Make sure you drink at least two litres throughout the day.

3. Add fibre such as psyllium seed husks, bran or commercial products like Metamucil and Benefiber.

4. Reduce the volume. Don't overfill your body. Stop eating at the first sign of satisfaction or allow at least 15 minutes before taking that extra serving.

5. Continue to eat the essentials — they are vital for the body to work. Include vegetables, fruit, wholegrain cereal, legumes, lean protein like fish and meat, low-fat dairy and healthy oils like olive, rice bran or canola. Your biggest challenge is to avoid processed foods — try to eat and cook from fresh foods, make your own cereal blends, casseroles and soups rather than the pre-prepared options in the supermarket
Detox to kick-start weight loss
After conquering the above steps, you will need to add cardiovascular and resistance exercise routines to your daily and weekly schedule. You may also need to think about how you balance volumes of foods balanced with exercise. While you should not expect a weight loss greater than 0.5 kg per week long-term, you will most likely loose more some weeks.

Detox for healthy bowel habits
The extra fibre, legumes, vegetables and water will have a positive impact on regular bowel habits, plus help you fight long periods of constipation, bloating and discomfort.

Detox to max up energy
Maintain a balance between physical and mental energy via regular exercise and adequate sleep. Learn and practise relaxation techniques and eat regular meals without too much snacks in-between.

Detox myths
Grapefruit juice, lemon juice or vinegars don't burn fat.

Now when you are on the pathway to a cleaner and healthier diet, remember that no food needs
to be banned for life — allow yourself a nice cuppa or a glass of wine every now and then!

www.ninemsn.com.au

Pregnancy diary - 5 months

2011-01-04T05:26:00.001+11:00

5 months and 4kg heavier
This week I completed 5 months. There are many physical changes occuring but worse than physical changes are the psychological ones. My hormones are all over the place, sometimes I am happy, sometimes angry. I am not as patience as before, not at all.I am much more sensitive to noise, smell, light.... If the music is a little louder than normal it can be veyy annoying, if i am trying to sleep and there are lights still on , it can drive me craz. The role of the husband is fundamental at this stage. An afectious and delicate partner is very important. I heard stories when the husbands fell pregnant with their wives, sometimes physically and sometimes psychologically pregnant.

It can be scary to weight yourself, specially if you are body consciousness and enjoy to look good.
But there are some important things you should know about your body and your baby
260g is the baby weight
170g is the placenta
320g is the amniotic fluid
320g is the uterus
180g is each breast

Now you can sum it up and check how many kg you have gain apart from it. It is normal to weight more than that, this might indicate fluid retention and fat around the abdominal area.

I apologize that I am not posting pictures in the last 2 issues. I am using my new iPad and I still don't know how to upload photos from here. I will be back home in 2 weeks and upload photos from my computer which I left home.

Pregnancy diary week 19

2010-12-28T23:31:00.000+11:00

It is a girl!!!!
19 weeks and great news. I couldn't be any happier this Christmas, it was my best present to hear that I am having a baby girl.I am now half way through my pregnancy, I am really enjoying all the moments of it.
Some changes are occurring and lots of thoughts are going the through my mind. Of course I am much more tired than normally, some clothes are not fitting anymore, I am behaving more than ever or the "silly season" and my hormones are all over the place, but there is non reason to complain. This is such a special moment in a women's life and the way you deal with it is very important for the next stage. Happy mother Happy baby.
Choosing the name.... Not an easy one. At least girls name we have a few in the list, if it was a boy we wouldn't have a clue.
Nathalia, Isabela, Carolina, Fernanda.... So many beautiful girls name. The 2 finalists were Nathalia and Luana. I love these 2 names. I have a very special friend whom passed away last year and her name is Nathalia, such a beautiful name such a beautiful girl. But we end up choosing LUANA.
Luana is a very unique name because me and my husband don't know any Luana! So it will have it's own characteristics and it's own way..... We also loved the meaning, Luana means warrior women and it's Latin origin.

Food that increase and decrease PMS symptoms

2010-12-15T11:32:00.000+11:00

Small adjustments in diet can reduce cramps, headaches and fluid retention related to hormonal changes. A study by Columbia University in the United States, shows that eating fat dairy foods may reduce by half the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Other foods also seem to have a positive effect - or negative - on women's health. Check the list below

and make the necessary changes on your plate.

Yoghurt - The food helps regulate calcium levels, especially in the days before menstruation. Eat yogurt near the time of ovulation helps regulate mood and reduces fluid retention.

Prefer the version without sugar and no coloring.

Fish - Some fish, like salmon and sardines, are very rich in vitamin D.The nutrient helps the body absorb calcium and reduces cramps. Those whom keeps a diet rich in vitamin D during the month usually has up to 40% less PMS symptoms, a study done in Turkey.

Beans - The legume contains high amounts of magnesium, a nutrient that helps reduce fluid

retention and also increases levels of serotonin, the feel of well-being. Several studies show

that women with a higher level of magnesium in the body do not have PMS.

Chick-peas, oats and brown rice - Foods that have three important nutrients to woman, magnesium, manganese and vitamin B6. Manganese helps to balance mood and improves symptoms of depression, and vitamin B6 helps to reduce irritability and pain in the breasts.

Fried foods and red meat - Excess fat increases the production of prostaglandins, substances that can increase sensitivity. Furthermore, chronic inflammation increases the fat body and worsen the cramps, the headaches and mood swings.

Sugar - For some women, the substance causes changes in mood and increased irritability.

Also worsening fluid retention and can cause swelling of the hands and feet. Cutting sugar in the diet is not the solution, since it can exacerbate the mood. The ideal is to go exchanging sweets with fruit and cereal bars or by downsizing portions.

Diet soda, salt and canned food - all these foods are full of sodium, which increase fluid retention and breast tenderness. To reduce the effects of swelling, decrease their consumption at least one week before menstruation and increase consumption of fruits,vegetables and whole grains.

Coffee, black or green tea and chocolate - in small doses, caffeine has its benefits to the body.

But in excess, increases irritability and worsening the quality of sleep.

www.oglobo.com.br

Alkaline diet

2010-12-12T18:47:00.000+11:00

Why alkaline Foods Are Important

Your health depends on the balance of an alkaline environment,

created by eating foods such as tomatoes, avocados and green vegetables...

striking the optimum 80/20 balance and regulating your body's acid/alkaline

chemistry through simple changes in diet can result in weight loss, increased

stamina and strength, a stronger immune system and a greater sense of wellbeing.'

Dr Robert O. Young, Pioneering scientist and author of The pH Miracle

How did we become so out of balance?

After years of society changes, millions of pounds of marketing spend

and technological advances we, as a race, are now facing more dietary

based health challenges than ever before.
It is no coincidence that the rapidly growing numbers of cancer,

cardiovascular disease and diabetes correlate almost exactly with

the rise in consumption of acid forming foods such as:
sugars, trans fats, fast food, refined food and white breads.

At the same time our consumption of fresh alkaline vegetables and

essential fatty acids has decreased dramatically, making way for

convenience and a generation hooked on sugary treats.

Becoming Alkaline

This is not as difficult or as technical as it sounds. When we talk

about eating alkaline foods or starting an alkaline diet we are referring

to consuming those foods and drink which have an alkaline effect on the body.

This effect is based upon the mineral content of the food and therefore the

alkaline or acid effect this has on the pH of the body.

Some foods have an acidifying effect (usually those containing sugars,

trans fats, dairy, preservatives,sweeteners,chemicals etc),

whereas others have an alkaline effect.

Conveniently for us, it just so happens that the foods that contain alkaline

minerals (and leave an alkaline effect) are all the foods we already know

are good for us: low sugar foods, fresh alkaline vegetables, nuts, seeds, salads,

water rich foods etc. And for the foods that contain minerals that have an acidic effect?

You guessed it, sweets, alcohol, trans fats, meats,dairy, pizza, cola, biscuits,

chips, white breads and pastas, refined foods, processed foods etc.

Of course, everybody is different - but most of us should aim to eat 70-80%

alkaline foods and a maximum of 20-30% acid forming foods.

This does not have to be measured in calories, grams or anything technical,

just look at your

plate!

Is 70% of the food on it alkalising? And for the other 30%? You can do with

this what you like (how acid is up to you - dependent upon the results you want),

but feel free to go for some oily fish, wholemeal pasta or wild rice for example

How Alkaline Are YOU?

It may be very useful for you to see where you are now, and to test your acid and

alkaline balance at various stages during your transition to an alkaline foods diet.

For dietary testing, we offer:

pH testing kits, and to boost your alkalinity, we also offer a range of alkalising

supplements

from pH Miracle, pHion Balance,perfectlyhealthy, Tony Robbins and

Udo Erasmus. These are incredible in becoming more alkaline and give

your body a boost of essential vitamins, minerals, fats and alkaline salts.

www.energiseforlife.com/list_of_alkaline_foods.php

Pregnancy Diary - week 16

2010-12-11T14:03:00.001+11:00

This week my baby is the size of an avocado , however, my belly is the size of an easter egg
I was so happy when I went to see the doctor this week and I found out I only put on 1.2 kg. I thought I had put on more than that, my belly is getting bigger everyday. I guess my baby is eating very well

It is common in pregnancy to experience urinary infection such as: cystitis, vaginal trush or candida
My advice is: Always keep more than one bikini in your beach bag, make sure you get changed after swimming. It is no sake to stay with wet bikinis! This may happen to any women , even if you are not pregnant, but pregnant women are more likely to suffer from it.
Cranberry juice is a great choice to prevent urinary infection,it inhibits bacteria Escherichia coli adhesion to uroepithelial cells in the bladder.
Last but not least, my best friend "Acidophilus". This will work very well, eliminating all the toxins from the body. I recommend the Acidophilus from Metgenics. Thy have a wide variety of acidophilus and there is avery specific one for any issue related to urinary infection.

Drink loads of water always and ENJOY YOUR PREGNANCY!!

Pregnancy Diary - week 15

2010-12-04T17:01:00.000+11:00

This is the end of week 15 and the beginning of the 4th month of my pregnancy
Many changes are happening and my belly is really getting big. People are noticing and asking me with no fear " Are you pregnant??" Thank god I am, I would kill someone if I wasn't ......
The second trimester is much more fun than the first. I am now doing private Yoga classes for pregnancy with my friend Liana. We have started last week and it was amazing! I felt so good after the class
Another important thing that I am doing now is applying loads of oil in my belly and my breast. I cannot afford to deal with stretch marks after pregnancy, it will be too much.... The oil I recommend is from Natura (mum&baby range) which unfortunately I cannot get in Australia, it is a Brazilian brand and Bio-Oil, which is perfect for stretch marks, scars and dehydrated skin. This one you can find at any health food store.
The reason why I am focusing a lot on oil this week is because my belly and boobs are very itchy. It is annoying because there is nothing you can do about it, if you touch it the stretch marks are more likely to appear. Therefore the solution is: Lots and lots of oil

Apart from that the baby is going very well, growing inside me (literally). Even if you are prepared and planning to get pregnant, it is always a surprise. Many things in life will change from now on and week by week we are experiencing these changes. It is not only about the couple anymore, it is now about a family! But I am sure the best part of it is about to come....

Why is Zinc supplement so important?

2010-12-01T21:58:00.001+11:00

Zinc is important for a great many body processes including boosting the immune system, making certain antioxidants, and making important prostaglandins that assist in controlling inflammation and balancing the stickiness of blood, for example: Zinc is important in the protection and repair of DNA and is depleted by stress, smoking, alcohol and frequent sex in men
Studies of population with severe zinc deficiencies have shown an increase in the incidence of diabetes type 1 and type 2. Recent studies suggest that Zinc deficiency, which can develop with the frequent urination seen in diabetes , may increase the risk of developing certain forms of heart failure in the presence of type 2 diabetes.
Zinc also plays a vital role in wound healing and immunity-an important aspect of managing complications in diabetes such as skin ulcers.
Zinc-rich foods include quality red meats and shellfish as well as some legumes
Zinc daily dose is 15mg
Always go for a practitioner range
Brands I recommend: Nutrition Care, Bioceuticals, Metagenics, Eagle

Special Summer Sale
Zinc - Nutrition Care 60T $20
For more information: julia@wellbeingbynature.com or 0410081641

Preventing premature ageing

2010-11-29T13:14:00.000+11:00

While you can't change your genes and prevent ageing altogether , you can slow the rate at which your skin ages by supporting its natural regenerative process and countering factors proven to age your skin faster.

Reduce free Radicals an excess of free radicals can lead to inflammation. The antidote? Antioxidants: Fruits , vegetables, berries, nuts and seeds. Grapeseed, bilberry. Cooking herbs such as: oregano, thyme, basil, sage, rosemary, garlic, cinnamon and tumeric. Vitamin A,C and E and the minerals like Zinc and Selenium
Fight inflammation fire. Some of the most common causes of skin inflammation include: smoking, excess coffee and alcohol, dehydration from insufficient water intake, harsh cleaner , soap and hot water. Other way to combat inflammation include omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish and flaxseed oil.
Be sun-supplement-smart Photo ageing is the term dermatologist use to describe the accelerated ageing of skin caused by exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Too much sunshine can permanently alter the structure of skin, producing uneven pigmentation, broken capillaries, age spots, wrinkles and dry, thickened, scaly skin that scars easily. Two of the most researched nutrients for preventing and treating photo ageing are: Vitamin A, which has been shown to reverse sun damage to skin and Vitamin C- Taking Vitamin C supplements will increase levels inside your skin cell, helping to rebuild skin and collagen fibres, making your skin look plumper and smoother.

Are you taking the right supplements for your body?

2010-11-22T20:58:00.000+11:00

Do not auto medicate yourself!
Many people these days tend to take loads of vitamins, minerals, herbs, protein powders and so on.
As a Naturopath I suggest you to consult your healthcare practitioner before you decide to start taking any supplement.
Everybody is different, what works for your friend might not work for you. Some minerals interact with some vitamins and can reduce the absorption of others if taken at the same time.
I have seen cases of people taking too much vitamins at the same time and some of it were not only unnecessary for their body but also toxic due to some specific condition, for example:
Someone with high blood pressure taking a herbal tincture with Licorice because of a cold sore.
Yes it is right that Licorice can fight cold sore, it is an anti-viral medicine and can improve immunity. However, Licorice is strongly contra indicated for individuals with High Blood pressure!

Be careful , you might be taking too many things at the same time and some of them may be causing you harm or taking no effect at all.

If you are unsure of what to take and you want to be healthy book a consultation with your health care practitioner.

Summer is here and it is a good idea to boost up your body with the right vitamins, minerals and herbal medicine!

Pregnancy Diary - week 13

2010-11-21T18:49:00.000+11:00

week 13
This is the first week of the second semester. Now begins the phase of maturation of the organs.
The uterus occupies the upper part of the pelvis, about 10cm below the belly bottom. A few extra pounds tend to appear and irritability tends to decrease.

Knowing your body - what is the uterus and amniotic fluid?

The uterus is the organ that holds and protects the fetus, amniotic fluid, placenta and umbilical cord. It is contracted during childbirth expelling the baby inside the mother's body. The amniotic fluid protects the wall of the uterus and prevents it from choke the baby. Another function is to isolate the infant from the cold and heat.

Next week I will post some pictures of my belly!

9 Foods to avoid bloated belly

2010-11-16T12:09:00.000+11:00

Do you suffer from a swollen and bloated belly? If so, you may need to change your diet to reduce puffiness in your lower abdomen.

It's a very uncomfortable feeling, not to mention really annoying when trying to get dressed. To help you achieve a flatter tummy, de-bloat your stomach and beat the bulge try eating some of these belly-friendly foods.

Avoid high-salt foods, chewing gum, carbonated drinks, fried foods, highly acidic drinks, excess carbs, alcohol and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts — all known to bloat your belly.

Banish belly bloat now!

www.ninemsn.com.au

Pregnancy Diary - week 12

2010-11-11T23:04:00.000+11:00

3 months, 12 weeks, First Trimester.....
It feels like the first step of my pregnancy has been completed. Not only completed, but also succeeded!
Today we did the 12 weeks ultrasound which is called the nuchal translucency test. This test is the one to check for the baby's health. Thank god it was all good, but I was very disappointed that we could not see the sex of the baby. Like I said before, this test is to check for babies health not the sex, but in Brazil we usually find out the sex with 3 months, so we had a hope.... Oh well, hopefully next time.....
We hear a lot that these first 3 months are very delicate, many people told me "you should not tell anyone that you are pregnant before 3 months", others said "Don't do exercise before 3 months" , I also heard "After 3 months you will feel normal again". I partially agree with these comments, but I believe that everyone is different, every women will experience different situations, some will feel sick, others will not. Some mothers will be able to exercise before 3 months, others will feel exhausted.
My advice is: Listen to your body and follow what it tells you. We are made of body, mind and soul.
If you have the ability to listen to these 3 parts together you will achieve great level of balance.

However, I suggest that you should exercise at least once a weeks before 3 months ( if your body allows you, of course)

Exercise will help to improve blood circulation and avoid fluid retention.
Don't do an exercise that you have never done before. Just do what you are used to do....
Go for a walk at the beach, do a prenatal pilates or prenatal Yoga class. Take some deep breaths. Go for a swim
All these exercises mentioned above are 100% safe in pregnancy. Do not take risks

Exercise will also help you to relax and avoid stress.
Remember: Happy Mother, Happy Baby

Why is it so hard to keep slim ?

2010-11-05T22:10:00.000+11:00

Sports medicine specialist explains why it is so hard to stay skinny The body gets used to the drop in caloric intakeTeas, soups, juices, salads, medicine, exercises, moon phases ... Who has tried some of these diet pills? What happens is that many people go on a diet, but do not usually keep the desired weight for too long.
- All diets will make you lose weight, this is a general rule. Whether the moon, soup, river rock ... The trick is to keep slim - Alert Glaycon Michels, sports medicine specialist.
Everyone knows some way to lose weight, but fails to take adequate measures. The doctor explains that the key is: exercise

- We will not be able to keep the desired weight if we do not practice regular physical activity. As you decrease your caloric intake, the body will get used to it - he says.
Michels says that some products actually help in weight loss.Green tea, for example, has potent antioxidant and thermogenic effect.- It does not only help to loose weight but will also prevents aging, but do not be fooled by the green tea from the shelves (canned green tea). The Japanese green tea is the one which has all the good properties - explains.
For the doctor, the formula that really works includes three measures: physical activity, a more colorful meal (with all the nutrients) and reducing sugars and white flour.
This article was published at www.clicrbs.com.br

Pregnancy Diary - week 11

2010-11-04T21:51:00.000+11:00

11 weeks

This week was the best one so far, and I heard that from now on it only gets better
All that sickness and fatigue starts to go away , the baby starts to grow so does the belly
The embryo is now a fetus and the emotions of the mother are very important for the development of the fetus .
A healthy and calm pregnancy will be more likely to result in a healthy and calm baby.
Pay attention on your behavior , do not allow unimportant things upset you. Do not allow grumpy and anxious people take advantage of your sensitiveness.
Spend time if those who make you laugh. Take a moment of the day to do whatever makes you happy!
Go for a swim , go for a walk, eat fresh food, drink fresh fruit juices
Enjoy your pregnancy, it is an unique moment and your baby depends 100% on you at this special moment!

Find a relaxing activity, anything that will really help you to relax.

Top 10 tips to relax in pregnancy
1- Go for a walk
2- Chamomile Tea
3- Bach Flowers
4- Take some deep breaths
5- Hypnotherapy
6- Lots of Water, more than 2L a day
7- Spend some quality time with your husband/partner
8- Sun light (with a very powerful sunscreen to avoid marks)
9- Spend time with your truly friends
10-Sleep well

Find out how well your metabolism is working

2010-11-02T23:37:00.000+11:00

"I have been doing exercise everyday and I am not seeing any results"
Have you heard that before? Have you said that before?

The reason why many people are struggling to loose weight may be related to poor diet or slow metabolism.

Ketosticks are reagent strips for the detection of ketones in urine, and are used to monitor fat metabolism in the Ketoslim weight loss program from Metagenics.

The patient will be able to test if their metabolism is working properly according to the scale of the sticks. Ketones are generated by the metabolism of the fat as an energy source. They will also be released into the blood and urine when carbohydrates are reduced. When the diet is followed correctly, the patient will produce urinary ketones in the small to moderate range on the Ketostix colour scale. By staying in the "pink zone" the patient knows they are burning fat, therefore, diet is being followed correctly and results will be achieved in a shortest period of time.

For more information on the Ketoslim weightloss program book your first visit at the Naturopath:
juliasirotsky@gmail.com

Sitting all day increases the risk of heart attack even in those who do exercise regularly

2010-10-31T21:56:00.000+11:00

Do not think that your "one hour of daily physical activity" is ensuring good health of your heart. According to a new study by the Center Pennington Biomedical Research in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, spending too much time sitting at work is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. The researcher who led the study, Dr. Marc Hamilton, explains that spend hours sitting can cause harm in the spine and shoulders.

- Exercising regularly is not equivalent to being active - explains Peter Katzmarzyk, who also participated in the research of Pennington, referring to the difference between the official physical activity such as jogging, biking, doing weights, and non-official like walking to the car or remain standing. - A person can go to the gym daily, but if it remains after sitting the whole day will not be having an active life.

Exercising regularly is not equivalent to being active .A study by the University of Missouri proves the thesis: people with higher levels of unofficial workouts burn more calories per week than those who run 75km a week but had little unofficial activity throughout the day. - Just because you get more standing makes a difference - says Katzmarzyk. - For example, a person who works standing up burns 1,500 calories while at work. Those who work seated will burn a thousand. But the problem is not only in calories. In 2009, Katzmarzyk studied the lifestyle of more than 17 000 men and women found that those who remained seated throughout the day were 54% higher cardiac risk than those who almost did not sit down. And in this case had no relevance to how often exercised. - These are great evidence that sitting increases the risk of coronary problems - says Katzmarzyk. - We see people who smoke and those who do not smoke, those who exercise and those who do not exercise. Staying a long time sitting is a risk factor independent. People are sitting too long and the cure for this is not more exercise. There is a counterpoint to the many, many hours someone is seated. The real cure is to stay longer standing.

This article was published at www.oglobo.com.br

How can you keep your emotions in Balance?

2010-10-25T22:30:00.002+11:00

10 weeks

Today I saw my baby moving..... it was so exciting!
I had the first ultrasound 2 weeks ago and I couldn't see much, it was a tiny little baby 1.1 cm. But today it was different, I could see arms and the legs moving, the heart beating and it grew up a bit, he or she is now 2.6 cm !!! It sounds crazy but it is just beautiful to see all this small changes in such a short time

One of the hard things in pregnancy is to control your emotions. The women hormones tends to change dramatically and different things start to happen. Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry. Sometimes we get angry for no reason and sometimes everything around us turns beautiful and you are the happiest person in the world. All this changes are part of a hormonal imbalance. The best way to control your emotions is to keep calm and in balance if your body,mind and soul.

Bach Flowers in pregnancy is a great tool to control stress and keep emotions in balance.
Rescue remedy is the most common one, but every human being is different and every remedy plays a different role in each individual. A consultation with your health care practitioner is recommended in order to find the best mixture of Bach flowers for your own needs. There are 38 flower remedies that correct emotional imbalance and up to 7 different flowers can be mixed in one bottle.
For a better understanding on Bach Flowers you can check the link below:
http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm

Bach flowers are excellent not only in pregnancy but also in any situation when emotions are out of balance.

"Wonderful as it may seem, relieve your patient of the mood or moods such as are given in this system of healing, and your patient is better"

- Dr Edward Bach, 1936

"...the thirty-eight herbs heal gently and surely, and as there are no poisonous plants amongst them there is no fear of ill effects from overdoses or incorrect prescriptions."

- Nora Weeks, The Medical Discoveries of Edward Bach, Physician

How often do you change your toothbrush ?

2010-10-24T22:10:00.000+11:00

A study by the Brazilian Association of Toiletries, Perfumes and Cosmetics (ABIHPEC) points out that the Brazilians exchange toothbrush on average every 18 months. According to Luis Calicchio dentist, a member of Oral Workshop, this behavior is extremely detrimental to the health of users, who are at risk of harm not only your oral health but also your entire body.
The dentist points out that, contrary to what many think, the perfect time to replace the brushes is not every three months, but it would be every 45 days. That's because, as it is used, the brush will wear out, accumulating bacteria and losing its function.
Calicchio explains that to keep health always on time, you need to brush your teeth after meals and flossing too. For him, one of the most important factors when it comes to taking care of teeth is paying attention to the preservation of the toothbrush and validity of its useful life.
Moreover, for him, far more important than the product's brand is its condition.
- To assess whether the toothbrush is still in good condition, just look if the bristles are aligned and if there is no change of the position of the bristles due to pressure exerted on the toothbrush. It is important that the bristles are aligned so that they can always do the cleaning of all teeth with the same intensity. If the brush bristles shows no change in pigmentation and also darkened, as is more than time to make the switch - he explains.

To get the most out of your brush, you need to take a lot of care:
:: Always dry the brush after use to prevent bacteria and fungus like damp places;
:: Do not use the brush guards. They drown, which provides the growth of bacteria;
:: Wash the bristles with water after brushing;
:: Do not let the brush next to the toilet;
:: The ideal is to not use excessive force when brushing teeth, to prevent the bristles wear out prematurely.

this article was published at www.clicrbs.com.br

Fatigue No More

2010-10-19T07:00:00.000+11:00

9 Weeks and a little less tired...
It is common to feel really tired during pregnancy, specially on the first 3 months. The baby tends to absorb all the nutrients from the mother, therefore, fatigue takes place.
The best thing to do is to rest, of course. But for those women who have a busy life it is not easy to spend all day lying in bed.
A good solution to fight fatigue is to add vitamins and minerals to your diet
I suggest the one from Nutrition Care, which is a practitioner range

There are 3 types:

Nutrition Care Genesis Periconception O - which are the essential fatty acids required for the baby brain formation and function
Nutrition Care Genesis Periconception MO - which are the right dose of minerals such as Folic Acid, Calcium, Silica and ohers. Silica is an important mineral in pregnancy for the healthy formation of connective tissue of the baby and also for the mother, who will eventually loose hair during breast feeding. Silica helps to maintain beautiful hair, healthy nails and a shiny skin
Nutrition Care Genesis Periconception MV - which are the multi B vitamins plus essential minerals that provides enough nutrients to the mother and the baby helping to keep energy levels high

The 3 Vitamins mentioned above are made specially for Pre-conception, Gestation and Lactation.
You can buy from your Naturopath or in some health food stores that sells practitioner Range

Blood Type Diet

2010-10-12T13:57:00.000+11:00

Do you feel the need to follow a new diet or take up the latest exercise regime because nothing has been working for you? You might not be doing the right one for your blood type, suggests naturopath James L. D'Adamo, creator of the Blood-Type Diet.

D'Adamo's latest book, Just an Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure proposes that the best prescription to your overall health is written in your blood. "The people who use this information rise to the level of health that nature intended for their unique bodies, while at the same time helping to prevent the most common degenerative diseases," he says. Find out what your blood type says about you:

Type O

The O is constitutionally the strongest of all the blood types and has the longest life expectancy. Type O usually has a well-developed physique and thrives on physical activity. O's, in fact, are the athletes of the world. Although they tend to be muscular, their blood flow can be sluggish, and without a vigorous exercise program of an hour or more per day to stimulate the circulatory system, they (more than any of the other blood types) will rapidly grow lethargic. Through vigorous physical exercise, people who are Type O not only recharge their batteries and optimize their physical energy, but they also gain the kind of mental clarity needed by high achievers.

This takes us back to the O's need for animal protein. If we return to an earlier period of humankind's development, the first blood type to appear was an O. Early man was a hunter, dependent on physical prowess to track and kill his food. The fight-or-flight syndrome was also never called upon more than in our ancestors whose daily survival was exceedingly tenuous. That man required high-octane fuel, and that fuel came from his regular consumption of the most energy-packed food substance: animal protein.

Although few of us today hunt for our next meal, and our fight-or-flight mechanism is triggered far less than in other periods of human history, Type O's still bear the imprint of their predecessors and require daily helpings of animal protein to meet their physical needs.

An O who tries to lead a vegetarian lifestyle will always be hungry and constantly snacking — usually on a carbohydrate — to get a quick boost. O's who follow this regimen will ultimately develop low blood sugar.

For optimal health, O's should include several servings of turkey, lamb, fish, and occasionally organic beef in their daily diet. However, an O should limit or entirely eliminate dairy and wheat products.

Milk, cheese, and eggs produce an excessive amount of mucus in the O, which often leads to chronic respiratory and circulatory conditions. Type O's who eliminate or greatly reduce dairy products from their diet will prevent or dramatically improve their asthma or chronic sinus conditions.

Type A

The optimal preventive diet for an A is vegetarian based. Whereas the O's were nomadic hunters and cave dwellers, the A's developed during a time when people created settlements and turned to farming. Lifestyle changes led to nutritional changes. You can appreciate this better by thinking about your daily life.
If you work all day in an office, are a suburbanite who drives more than you walk, or if you spend too much time in front of the television or on the Internet, you don't have the same need for large protein-based meals as someone who has a more physically demanding occupation, such as a farmer, a forest ranger, or a plumber.
A's, in general, are less active than O's, and their bodies don't have the same need for animal protein. Because Type A's typically suffer from mucous-related conditions and frequently experience colds, sinus infections, allergies, and other respiratory problems, they must avoid dairy products. Any dairy — a drop of milk or a slice of cheese — in an A's body is absolute poison.
In addition, an A should avoid whole-wheat products (although an A can tolerate germinated wheat, as the acid is neutralized). The most beneficial foods to the A will always be those that are more alkaline-forming, including leafy green vegetables, tofu, soy milk, and an assortment of grains like rice, quinoa, spelt, amaranth, and rice- or soy-based pastas.
Exercise is as important to the A as it is to the O, but the A's workout must be oriented toward soothing the body, not further exciting it. Activities such as jogging, calisthenics, gymnastics, or contact sports will have a stimulating effect on the nervous system and further agitate an A. Those who are Type A should practice yoga, tai chi or qi gong, which will help elongate rigid muscles and release stored tension.
Practicing yoga upon rising will help center and prepare A's for the day. For those who have difficulty sleeping, I recommend that they remain in a lotus position after completing their asanas (yogic postures) and repeat the wordpeace as a mantra. Words affect internal states, and this will help soothe the mind.
Meditation, too, will help center Type A individuals and encourage a sense of peace, especially if practiced first thing in the morning. They may find it difficult to turn off their active minds, but they can learn to harness their mental energy as they develop a daily discipline. Five-minute meditation breaks every few hours will keep their minds quiet and focused, and also have a rejuvenating effect.

Type B

We all know the expression "Everything in moderation." No blood type epitomizes the middle way more than a B. The preventive diet and exercise regimen for a Type B falls right in between the O and the A. When in a balanced state of health, a B requires the best of both kingdoms: animal protein and a vegetarian diet.
When not in a balanced state of health, the body of a B will either react like the O who's deprived of protein and become fatigued, or like the A, who produces excessive amounts of mucus. Type B individuals generally have a strong constitution and good autoimmune system.
They can tolerate moderate amounts of dairy products, but if they eat or were fed excessive amounts of milk, cheese, and butter as children, they, like the A, will frequently suffer with catarrh (excessive mucus generally caused by an inflammation of the mucous membranes, particularly in the nose and throat). They may also be prone to respiratory diseases, food allergies, sinus problems, and asthma.
Like the A, the B doesn't tolerate whole-wheat products well. Wheat substitutes like spelt, quinoa, and amaranth, and pastas made from rice would be preferable. Like the O, the B requires animal protein and can choose from many foods including turkey, lamb, salmon, and halibut. A Type B in a balanced state of health can also choose meals from a variety of vegetables and grains — the key is moderation.
Exercise is less important for the B than for the O, although more important than it is for the A. Here, moderation is again an important word. B's tend to do well with brisk walking, swimming, hatha yoga, or light jogging. Whereas O's require an hour of aerobic exercise, B's should do no more than 30 minutes a day. After that, their bodies will start to feel fatigued.
Type B's fare well in competitive sports, such as basketball or tennis, but as the brain rules over brawn, they wouldn't find success as long-distance runners. But they perform exceptionally well in sports that require a creative and strategic mind. While they may not have the endurance of an O, the combination of physical strength and creativity can overcome that deficit and help them defeat an O.

Type AB

AB's possess the tolerances of both A and B; and when in a balanced state of health, their immune systems tend to have an enhanced capacity to produce antibodies against infections. As a result, they're less prone to the allergic conditions and the autoimmune weaknesses typically seen in an A.
The best preventive diet is a mixture of the A and B diets. People who are Type AB do well on a diet geared toward vegetarianism, with the modest additions of some animal protein. Like Type A's, they don't tolerate dairy foods and are similarly subject to mucus production and respiratory conditions. Dairy products — cheese, milk, butter, and so forth — should be greatly reduced or entirely eliminated. Like the B, the AB can't tolerate whole wheat and should substitute it with products made from spelt, amaranth, quinoa, and rice flour.
Like Type A, AB's have a more active mind than body, although they tend to be slightly stronger constitutionally and more physically active. The perfect balance is 15 to 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at night to obtain cardiovascular benefits, and yoga in the morning to create the inner peace and calmness they require.

This article was published on www.ninemsn.com.au