Surrey Homes | SH15 | January 2016 | Health & Beauty supplement inside

Gut Instinct
Rich foods and too much alcohol can definitely leave us all
feeling sleepy, sluggish and a bit rubbish. After a little over
indulgence during the festive period we’re talking about
digestive health, so we chatted to a few specialists...
The nutrition & lifestyle coach
Fiona offers consultations in both Optimal
Health and Sports Nutrition...
Freeimages.com/Musaddique Naina
What is healthy digestion? Healthy digestion requires adequate chewing to allow stomach
acid and digestive enzymes to chemically break down food particles small enough to pass
through the gut wall into the bloodstream. Adequate elimination of toxins, as well as excess
hormonal metabolites e.g. cholesterol, is also part of healthy digestion. Healthy digestion
additionally involves feeding the beneficial bacteria, which live in our digestive systems, which
manufacture various vitamins and play a huge role in supporting our immune systems.
Other than gastrointestinal symptoms, what other effects can bad digestion have
on our bodies and lives? As healthy digestion is key to optimum well-being any
imbalances in the digestive system can have an impact on almost all aspects of health
including skin, cardiovascular, hormonal, mental and immune health. Often people do
not make the connection between their symptoms and that it may be an issue with an
underperforming digestive system. As the digestive system plays the most important
first line defence for the immune system, supporting it is key to optimum health.
Can this be treated through diet alone, or are there any other lifestyle changes that
can help? In addition to diet and appropriate nutritional support, addressing stress levels is
equally important for digestive health. Lifestyle management techniques that lower breathing
rate e.g. meditation or any activity where a sense of calm is achieved can be particularly
helpful. Also identifying triggers that exacerbate symptoms, which may involve removing
specific food groups for a period of time, may be essential for allowing the body to heal.
Fiona Brenninkmeijer is based in London, Tunbridge Wells and is also available for home visits
by appointment. For more information visit www.mylifestylemenu.co.uk or call 07980 611668.
The specialist for Integrated Medicine
Christine is a homeopathic physician
and medical acupuncturist...
What is Candida and how does it affect our digestion? Fungal related disease and
specifically Candidiasis is common and often triggered by frequent consumption of
antibiotics and refined carbohydrates. Candida albicans constitutes one of the yeasts, which
are found in small amounts in even a healthy bowel. Antibiotic use destroys harmful and
beneficial gut bacteria, creating space for an overgrowth of yeast in the bowel. Refined
carbohydrates like sugar let them thrive. This aggressive activity creates damage in the gut
lining and the fine filter mechanism of the bowel becomes compromised. Enlarged holes
or ‘leaky gut’, allows incompletely digested food to enter the blood circulation. These
particles mimic natural cytokines leading to migraines, asthma, eczema, arthritis etc, and
natural hormones causing mood swings, fluid retention, bloating and weight gain.
What are the symptoms of yeast overgrowth? Symptoms include the following: chronic
fatigue, generalised malaise, gastrointestinal complaints (bloating, wind, diarrhoea), IBS,
food intolerances, recurrent infections, allergies, skin problems, decreased concentration or
‘brain fog’, depression, irritability, craving for sweets or carbohydrates, hypoglycaemia (low
blood sugar) symptoms, migraine, arthritis, asthma, obesity, reduced alcohol intolerance.
How can this be treated naturally? Candidiasis can be successfully treated
naturally with a combination of a herbal anti-fungal medicine, a homeopathic
organ support made up of natural remedies to support liver, pancreas and kidneys
to deal with the ‘die off’ effects of the fungus, a probiotic to recolonise the gut with
healthy bacteria, and a diet avoiding sugars, yeasts and fermented foods.
Christine is based at Rose Cottage Homeopathic Clinic near Maidstone. To book an
appointment visit her website www.homeopathykent.co.uk or call 01622 741086.
The Ayurvedic doctor
Dr Asmita Jani deals
with a huge variety of
clients and patients...
What are the principles behind Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a very sophisticated medical science and
emphasises the need to prevent illness and maintain
health. The main principle is about having a life of
balance. This can be achieved through understanding
our own body type or ‘Prakriti’ (wrongly described
as dossier in the West!). The healthy function of
the body’s numerous processes is governed by three
physiological energies briefly categorised as Vata
(air and ether), which determine activity-motion,
mobility and breathing; Pitta (fire and moisture)
which governs metabolism, intellect and immunity;
and Kapha (water and earth) which oversees
growth, reproduction, water and fat metabolism.
What other factors should be taken into
consideration? Ayurveda recommends that we
should select our well balanced fresh and nutritious
diet according to our body type, digestive capacity,
age, medical condition, and our imbalances (Doshas).
Regular appropriate fasting is also advisable for good
health and preventing illness. We should eat regularly
at the right time according to our bio-rhythms,
with a pleasant mood, concentration on our food
and chewing well. Do not rush when eating or
completely fill the stomach. Avoid a noisy or negative
atmosphere and negative emotions particularly
anger, distress or jealousy, as this changes the potency
and quality of the digested food in the body and
influences the brain, liver and heart function.
When seeing a new client what are you assessing
and how do you help them? It is important to
establish the client’s trust in Ayurveda. Once I have
established their needs, state of mind and emotions,
I take their full medical and social history and assess
their body type with them, sharing the characteristics
applying to them: their diet, habits, lifestyle issues.
I work out a plan for them to restore balance and
achieve a disease-free body with enhanced energy and
clarity of mind. I may also recommend Ayurvedic
herbal remedies according to the condition.
Asmita is also trained in traditional Panchakarma
and offers an Ayurvedic cookery course. For
more information and to book an appointment
call 01273 298286, email info@asmita-ayurveda.
co.uk or visit www.pavilionhealth.co.uk
83 www.wealdentimes.co.uk