It’s becoming more and more well-known that most physical diseases originate in the gut due to the fact that an imbalance of your gut microbiota will interfere with with multiple metabolic processes and neural communication pathways.
One of the biggest links to this is that a large part of your immune system is housed in your gastrointestinal digestive tract (GIT).
Up to 70-80% of your immune cells are in your GIT, inclusive of innate immune cells (DCs, macrophages and innate lymphoid cells), adaptive immune cells (T cells, B cells and plasma cells), and intestinal epithelial cells.
The gut microbiota that resides in your gut is directly linked to the well-being of your immune system. They can provide essential benefits to your health by regulating immune homeostasis or they can cause immune dysregulation, leading to auto-immune disease.
When you have psychological stress in your external environment, this activates your hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), which in simple terms means that your body goes into a state of a dominant sympathetic nervous system, or better known as your fight or flight response.
The overactive HPA axis leads to an imbalance of microbiota (dysbiosis) in your gut due to the release of stress hormones, inflammation and autonomic alterations.
Dysbiotic microbiota influences the immune system sitting around the gut lymphoid tissue which in turns promotes an inflammatory response that originates in the enteric nervous system (gut) and moves up the vagus nerve and all the way to the immune system in the brain known as the microglial cells.
When the microglia become proinflammatory, they promote neuroinflammation, which increases the risk of developing anxiety or depression.
Gut Microbiota and Auto-Immune Disease
Studies have linked certain gut microbes to auto-immune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissue.
This can occur as a result of gut permeability (leaky gut), whereby the lining of the gut can become inflamed and therefore leading to a weakened mucosal lining in which large food particles and microbiota can prematurely leak through the intestinal walls.
The immune system doesn’t recognise these particles and perceives them as predators thus commencing an attack in order to protect the body from them.
This leads to a compromised immune system and may develop into an auto-immune condition.
Auto-immune conditions can be managed and treated in a naturopathic way. This includes the use of herbs, supplements and a range of strain specific probiotics.
However, these recommendations can vary from person to person as the make up of our individual gut microbiota can be quite vast and unique.
For this reason, I provided online consultations to assess your individual needs and give you the best treatment protocol suited to you.
Anxiety would have to be one the most common emotional states that I see in my clinic, and that is in general, a driving state of being in this world we live in today.
Very few people have learnt to master this emotional state, and yet it is something that we all experience from time to time. For many of us it is a daily occurrence and something we have been living with for most of our lives.
So what is anxiety and why is it such a big part of our lives today?
I will endeavour to answer these questions from three different perspectives, the physical, lifestyle and from the perspective of the soul.
Physical
The first perspective is about our physiology, that is how our body and our biology can contribute to anxiety being such a common emotional state.
There are two main factors that are involved with the body’s mental health and that is of our gut health and our neurology.
If your gut is not in a healthy state with lot’s of beneficial microbiome, which is also anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing, then the microbes living in your gut are contributing to the anxiety you feel. You see, it’s the bacteria in the gut that communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve. If there is an overgrowth of nasty opportunistic or pathogenic bacteria present then they are sending nasty thoughts and emotions directly to your brain, which can lead to all kinds of emotional states, especially anxiety.
The second factor is your neurology, this is your individual make up of your brain chemistry and just how balanced it is or is not. Our neurotransmitters are derived from amino acids which are found in the foods we eat. Each neurotransmitter has it’s own individual journey as to how it is anabolised into form, however, if your body is not receiving the correct amount of nutrients that it needs to produce the amount of neurotransmitter’s to relax your nervous system, then you will experience anxiety on a daily basis.
Lifestyle
The second perspective is lifestyle, the choices we make and how we live our daily lives.
There was once a time when humanity did not have nearly the amount of stress we see in today’s world. We lived a much simpler life, with less technology, less ‘work’ and less ‘bus-i-ness’. Spending more time in nature and much more time just ‘being’.
During these times, there was a whole lot less anxiety than what we experience today.
So lifestyle is about how you are living your day to day life and how that contributes to the anxiety you’re feeling.
It’s about the foods you choose to eat, the shows you choose to watch, and the way you choose to spend most of your time.
How often to you go into nature, deep in the forest or by a waterfall or creek?
How often do you take some time to just stop and appreciate all that is around you?
Are you breathing deeply into your body each second of the day, or do you often forget to breath and realise you’ve spent the last 30 days (or 30 years) breathing into your throat.
Quality of life is essential for managing anxiety, taking those precious moments each day to really connect with yourself and go deeper into the being-ness of who you truely are.
Soul
The third is from a Soul perspective, how our inner most part of our being is gently calling us home.
When is the last time you were immersed in the silence of your inner most being?
The deeper parts from within, that gentle nudge, that whisper.
Your Soul essence is a part of you and it is buried deep within your being, waiting for you to connect, wanting to share with you all the secrets it holds that are all about who you truely are.
When we get caught up in the ‘bus-i-ness’ of life, we lose this sacred connection.
Quite often the anxiety your feeling is a reflection of this disconnect.
And this shows up in my client sessions time and time again.
When we just simply stop and listen. Really hear what is not being said, but felt. The anxiety dissipates and we are reunited home with all of who we truely are.
If you are interested in knowing more of any of these perspectives and how I can assist you to go deeper into them, you can book a free 15 minute discovery call with me today by clicking here.
When you hear the word “Detox” what immediately comes to your mind?
Do you feel restricted, like you can’t eat the foods or enjoy the lifestyle you like? Or do you feel excited to have a clean, clear body and mind?
In this day and age, we are exposed to toxins everywhere we turn. We inhale them in the air, consume them in our foods and even drink them in our water supply. And all that occurs while we are trying to be healthy!
So what are toxins?
Toxins are small molecules, peptides or proteins that are able to cause a certain level of disease or disorder to the body, either by direct contact or by tissue absorption.
They prevent the body from functioning correctly as they are capable of interacting with biological macromolecules such as enzymes and cellular receptors.
Your body is designed to continuously strive for a balanced state of equilibrium. Toxins are one of the major contributors which interfere with this, thus resulting in illness and disease.
A regular detox is vitally important to maintain a healthy body and mind.
{why detox? clearer mind.. deeper healing etc}
How Detoxing Effects Your Psyche
Is a foggy mind something that you experience often?
How about poor judgement, low concentration, cloudy thoughts, short attention span or a jumbled mind?
All of these symptoms are evidence that you may have an overload of toxins in your mind.
This can result from unprocessed trauma, an imbalance of the right microbiome in your gut, hormonal imbalance or severe stress.
All of which can be supported through giving your body a nourishing and cleansing detox, balancing the hormones and gut, and processing the unconscious disturbances deep in your psyche.
When we do the deep inner work, as in processing emotional states of being that may be buried deep in our subconscious mind, having a lighter and cleaner body can support you through much more efficiently.
And thus, once having a clean and clear body and mind, you will naturally feel more drawn to process all that has been locked away in your subconscious to open you up to a greater capacity to live a more fulfilled and abundant life.
Where to Start
You may be wondering the best way to get started on your new detox journey.
A great tool for this is my detox program that I have created for this exact purpose, it is located in the online program section of my website, or by clicking this link here:
This programs covers a comprehensive approach to detoxing and includes cleansing protocols for the mind, body and home environment.
It is designed with the busy lifestyle in mind, so you can plan ahead to create a successful, fail proof detox while still going about your regular routine.
This program is inclusive of a 3-day cleanse with everything you need including:
Detoxing Meal Recipes
Easy Meditations
Tips to detox the chemicals from your home
Recipes for Natural Home Products
A daily planner
Easy, Simple Step by Step Instructions to Succeed and Feel Great!
Purchase the program now by following the above link and begin your detox journey right away!
Close your eyes and take a deep breath in. Can you feel this breath bringing new life to every cell in your body? It’s the role of the circulatory system to deliver fresh oxygen to every cell, this is done via transporting oxygenated blood cells through the blood vessels, including arteries, veins and capillaries. Although …
Keeping our cardiovascular system healthy is one of the most important aspect of overall health.Ā If this organ fails to function correctly, the results can be fatal. Cardiovascular disease is the term used for all disorders of the heart or blood vessels, and is the leading cause of death and in Australia. There are a number …
Do you know someone who struggles to cope under pressure or stress? They may have quick mood swings, which appear to be out of their control. Or maybe they have extremely high anxiety levels, and find it difficult coping with stress of any kind.
If this describes either yourself or your loved ones, then there may be an underlying condition present known as Pyroluria, or pyrrole disorder.
What is Pyrrole Disorder?
Pyroluria, or Pyrrole disorder is a condition that is highly symptomatic under stressful situations. The physical manifestation is the overpopulation of hydroxyhaempyrollin (HPL) in the body. The excess HPL bind’s Zinc and Vitamin B6 tohether, which prevents it from being absorbed in the body, and instead are excreted in urine and hair.
HPL is a biomarker for oxidative stress, and is a neurotoxin.Ā Stress of any kind will increase production of pyrrole/HPL, which in turn decreases Zinc and B6.
Signs and Symptoms
Pyrrole Disorder has many different signs and symptoms, which can vary from person to person. These can depend on the age of onset, severity, and other individual factors.Ā Its most common feature is very poor tolerance of stress, and is usually exacerbated by stress. Some other features may include any of the following:
Irritability, moodiness, anger outbursts
Severe temper, short fuse sometimes violent
Slow to calm down but remorseful later
Depression
Anxiety
Above mood disorderes triggered by stressful events and growth spurts
Inability to tolerate stress
Insomnia/ a night person
Poor dream recall or recall of vivid, bizarre dreams only
Poor morning appetite, nausea, tendency to skip breakfast
Poor and deteriorating short term memory
Sensitivity to bright lights or loud noises, startle easily
Sensitivities to tags on clothes and textures of clothes e.g. wool
Sensitivities to textures of food and smell
Kids tend to be picky eaters
Adults tend to prefer spicy and flavoursome foods
Prominent morning sickness in pregnancy
Reading disorder/dyslexia/poor school performance if onset early
Behavioural disorders in children
Delayed puberty with growing pains if onset in childhood
Fascination with disaster
Unstable blood sugar / carbohydrate cravings
Sharp Stabbing Abdominal pain/stitches
Tendency for motion sickness
Physical Features
There may also be some common physical features associated with Pyrroles, including some of the following:
Premature greying or balding men
Dry Skin
Stretch marks
Acne
Short stature if onset in childhood
Fair hair/skin
Inability to tan/easy sunburn/ look paler than siblings
China doll appearance
Poor wound healing
Recurrent infections
White spots in fingernails, brittle weak nails
Cold hands and feet
Abdominal tenderness
Coarse eyebrows
Tremor
Abdominal obesity later in life, often start slender
Zinc is essential for 100ās of processes in the body and is particularly important for healing, immune function, digestion, neurotransmitter activation, physical growth, memory, insulin sensitivity and control of blood sugars, as well as DNA replication and over 200 different enzyme reactions in the body.
Zinc and B6 are essential for production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin (Our happy hormone), melatonin (Our sleep hormone), GABA (our relaxation hormone ā our natural valium), and acetylcholine, which is important for memory.
They are also involved in production of our steroid hormones such as cortisol, and the conversion of oils in the body, the oils EPA/DHA and GLA are all found to be low in those with Pyrrole Disorder.Ā These oils are damaged by oxidative stress.
Prevalence
The main biochemical feature is of severe Zinc and B6 deficiency.Ā Itās no wonder that in todays society Pyrrole Disorder is on the rise and becoming more and more common, as the Zinc levels in Australian soils have become quite depleted, therefore it is not as readily available from our everyday crops and fresh produce. We are not getting anywhere near as much Zinc in our diets these days as we did many years ago.
Some foods containing high levels of Zinc include oysters, spinach, beans, mushrooms, Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds. However, even if you consume a lot of these foods, you still may not be getting enough Zinc to cope with your Pyrrole levels from food alone.
Aetiology
Although the causes are not completely understood, there is a definitive genetic component.Ā Family history can be very revealing.Ā Age of onset can be very early, and many children with behavioural disorders/ADHD display a positive result when tested for Pyrrole Disorder.
Alternatively, the disorder may not manifest until later in life, this may be due to the amount of stressors a person has suffered.Ā There is also evidence that leaky gut may be a contributing factor and it is known that stress worsens leaky gut, which just compounds things.
Comorbidity
Pyrrole Disorder is common to be associated with other mental health and behavioural conditions including depression, anxiety behavioural disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, autism, alcoholism, downs syndrome, anorexia, and obesity.
Testing
Pyrrole Disorder is detected in a urine sample that is collected in a specific format at a pathology collection centre. The test is very light sensitive and is required to be frozen instantly and then carefully transported to the lab for further investigation.
The lab will test the urine, looking for the levels of HPL being excreted from the body. The higher the levels of HPL, the more severe the Pyrrole diagnosis will be.
Although our levels of HPL can vary according the amount of stress we are currently experiencing, it will always remain relatively consistent if left untreated.
For the most accurate Pyrrole reading, it is advised to stop all supplementation of Zinc and B6 supplements 3 days prior to testing your urine.
Ā Treatment
Pyrrole Disorder is essentially treated with nutritional supplements, and the doses may vary depending on current life events.
Itās important to seek professional advise when determining the diagnosis and treatment of Pyrrole disorder, as Zinc supplements can be quite toxic if taken unnecessarily for long periods of time, and subsequently, the dose of a supplement over the counter may not have the adequate levels required to treat a Pyrrole condition effectively.
Response to treatment can be rapid and dramatic.Ā Some patients report feeling better within days, most notice a benefit by 2 weeks, with significant improvements within 2 months.Ā Symptoms will usually reoccur if treatment is stopped. Doses may be able to be reduced particularly when life stressors are low, but may need to be increased if the patient is under any significant stress.
A Plan For The Future –Ā Nurturing the “Sensitives”
Melanie believe’s in looking at the whole picture when it comes to any kind of physical manifestation in the body. She believes that there are underlying emotional aspects to every condition, and addressing these is just as important as the presenting signs and symptoms.
The children that are coming through these days are much more sensitive and some are finding it more difficult to cope with the societal norms and expectations that are placed on them, at any age throughout their life. Along side working with gut and nutrient protocol’s, Melanie also looks into strategic behavioural support strategies as well as the overall wellbeing of the individual person.
These children/adults are often misunderstood by society and thus sometimes may be labelled and categorised as “different”. In reality, all they really need is someone to understand them and help give them a chance to translate their unique and individual expression of how they experience life.
Seeking Professional Advise
If you require any further information, or would like to have your family tested for Pyrrole Disorder, please contact me to make an appointment or book online today.
Parasitic and fungal infections in the gut are more common than we may think. These microorganisms enter the internal environment when the defences are weak, and they may grow and spread out of control if left untreated. The microbes find comfort in the homely environment that your gut provides for them, with a constant sustainable …
Women of all ages mayĀ experience discomfort or imbalances in their bodies from time to time, for some it may be a minor upset, but for others it may be quite extreme.
There are many reasons why these disturbances occur, most commonly there is some sort of a hormonal imbalance which may stem from toxic exposure, poor diet, stress, or genetic predisposition.
In most situations, the hormonal imbalance presents as an excess of oestrogen in the body. Oestrogen’s are inhaled in factory pollutant’s, consumed in food products such as processed soy and chicken, absorbed in chemicals and perfumes, produced in times of excess stress, and secreted into the body from adipose tissues found in body fat.
Some of the most common conditions that females may experience include:
Pre Menstrual Syndrome
Pre Menstrual Syndrome is something that is commonly experienced by many women. It involves changes to moods, eating habits, increased pain levels and distorted thinking in women just before and/or during menstruation. Women can experience a vast range of symptoms and generally the causation is due to an excess of oestrogen.
EndometriosisĀ
EndometriosisĀ occurs when cells of the endometrial tissueĀ (the tissue that is found in the uterus lining) spread and attach themselves to other parts of the internalĀ organs, such as the ovaries or the ligaments that support the uterus. These cells can also be found in the vagina, fallopian tubes, vulva,Ā bladder and bowels. Each month, the displaced endometrial tissue may bleed, just as a regular cycle does, however there is no outlet for itĀ to leave the body. This causesĀ inflammation and eventually leads to the formation of adhesions orĀ scar tissue.Ā The adhesions pull and distort the organs, making some movements very painful, such as sex or going to the toilet.
This condition can affect up to 10% of the population, some of the symptoms you may experience include pain or discomfort during sex or when going to the toilet. Other symptoms can include lower back pain, pelvic pain, period pain (dysmenorrhea), irregular periods or infertility.
PolycysticĀ OvarianĀ Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition that can affect 12 to 14% of women of reproductive age. It is aĀ metabolic condition and isĀ commonly associated with insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.
The body reacts to sugar and releases excessive amounts of insulin in order to process the glucose. Some of this excess insulin will then attach to the ovaries, creating an increase in the release of testosterone into the blood stream. This can result in symptoms such as irregular hair growth (including facial hair) and acne.Ā Other symptoms of the condition include irregular periods, or no period at all, infertility, mood changes, obesity and depression.
Fibroids
Fibroids are non cancerous tumours that are found inside the uterus walls. They are more common in women over the age of 30 and can affect as many as 1 in 5. The fibroids vary in size and can be diagnosed through ultrasound. The condition may remain symptom free, however they may also place increased pressure on the bladder, making urination more frequent.
Symptomatic Menopause
Menopause means the cessation of periods and can naturally occur for women between 45-55 years of age.
Some women may experience symptoms during this time such as hot flushes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, atrophy of breasts (reduction in size), depression, weight gain and loss of concentration.
Symptoms can often mean that something is out of balance in the body, there are many natural remedies that can assist with this.
Mind/Body Connection
Metaphysically, so much of the conditions that are manifested in women’s health are a direct correlation to suppressing your true nature as a woman in it’s fullest expression.
Ailments in women’s health are increasing, as we are at an age of transitioning out of a patriarchal (men’s dominated) world.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms or conditions above, you may find that you over work yourself in life
and in your career, you may struggle with self worth issues, or self acceptance. Perhaps you are always putting others first and not allowing yourself time for nurture, rest and self love.
You may also struggle to connect with your mother, perhaps you resist turning out just “like her”, or you may have a disconnected relationship with her. Perhaps she was emotionally unavailable for you growing up, or there may have been an unfortunate event which prevented her from being with you physically.
Whatever relates to your personal story, if any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone. These are the common threads of the feminine wounds we all carry as a collective. Now, more than ever, we are being encouraged to step up and heal these deeper wounds that cause us all so much pain and grief.
Experienced Holistic Therapist and Naturopath Melanie Wingate is able to cater a session for your individual needs and assist you back into balance, thus your natural state of being. Click here to book an online consultation with her now.
The mind/body connection is your body’s innate way of communicating with you.
Quite often, our physical symptoms appear due to an emotional or mental condition that we have not fully processed or resolved. This can be both conscious or unconscious.
There may be a number of reasons for this to occur, some of the more common ones include unresolved trauma, leaking energy, or a disconnection on a soul level. These are explained in greater detail below.
When delving into Mind/Body work, it is advised to seek the assistance of a professional therapist. This can fast track your journey and allow for maximum benefits in order to restore your health and wellbeing sooner.
Experienced Holistic Therapist and Naturopath Melanie Wingate is able to cater a session for your individual needs and assist you back into balance, thus your natural state of being.
Unresolved Trauma
When we experience an event or situation that is traumatic to our system, the memory of this incident can become stored in our cells on a molecular or energetic level. This cellular memory will remain within the body until the original issue has been dealt with and cleared. After a while, the body will attempt to alert us in order to resolve the issue at hand, this may be subtle to begin with, such as a dull ache, excessive tiredness or perhaps even acute/severe anxiety. Over time, the condition may intensify and eventually manifest into an illness or disease.
Through the use of advanced clearing techniques, natural medicines and guided processes, these conditions may be resolved, bringing the body back into balance and its natural state of equilibrium.
Leaking Energy
Your gut is your containerā¦ physical and energetic.
If your gut is leaky due to poor permeability then your life is leaking as well. If your gut is riddled with dysbiosis and parasites then your mind and thoughts will be the sameā¦ leaky gut equals a leaky brain. Parasitic gut equals parasitic thoughts.
Getting your gut right is essential for attracting good things into your life, if your gut is leaking then you will not be able to hold a strong energetic container and you will also struggle to hold onto tangible things such as money and loving relationships, as well as an emotional sense of security such as feeling strong and confident, calm, courageous and anxiety free.
Soul Disconnection
A part of living life in tune with your natural essence is about learning how to listen to your soul. The souls voice is very different to your mind, it will feel soft, soothing and deep. Many of us listen to the voice of the mind by default as this is a conditioning that has been placed upon us from a very young age. If you are not connected to your soul, then it may attempt to communicate to you through your body. Thus creating pain, disease, anxiety, digestive concerns and other common ailments.
There are many simple steps to take in order to tune into your natural essence and hear the voice of soul. Through the use of advanced techniques, natural medicines, guided healings and expert advise, you can be feeling calm and in control of your life again in no time at all.
To many people, Dandelion has always been considered a pesky weed that grows in the garden, making it look unsightly. However, this little super weed has many hidden health benefits to it. Not only is it a great source of numerous nutrients including vitamins A, C and D, as well as B vitamins, potassium, iron, …
Kids tend to be picky eaters
Fibroids are non cancerous tumours that are found inside the uterus walls. They are more common in women over the age of 30 and can affect as many as 1 in 5. The fibroids vary in size and can be diagnosed through ultrasound. The condition may remain symptom free, however they may also place increased pressure on the bladder, making urination more frequent.
Quite often, our physical symptoms appear due to an emotional or mental condition that we have not fully processed or resolved. This can be both conscious or unconscious.
