Acne is a common skin disease affecting 85% of teenagers.

Sometimes this condition can be due to an endocrine disorder such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Acne is also linked to excess hormone production such as androgens, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin and glucocorticoids.

Androgens, hormonal mediators (including IGF-1) are found in dairy products and are best avoided during treatment. A low GI diet has also been researched and improvement observed in male patients.
In an open-label trial treatment with chaste tree for a minimum of 3 months resulted in an improvement for 70% of the patients. This could be due to the mild anti-androgenic effect of chaste tree.
Address the glycaemic load with diet, the herb gymnema  and green tea with meals. This will regulate insulin and IGF-1 .

Some studies recommended lower animal protein intake due to IGF-1 aspect in these products.
Supplementing with selenium and chromium for PCOS patients has decreased the severity of acne.
Zinc as well as lactoferrin also reduced the lesions in the treatment group.

Other herbs to consider are Phellondendron, curcumin, polygonum and Echinacea.
Without treatment cysts and scarring may occur and often a combined approach is needed.

Please contact us on (07) 5525 2211 in confidence for further information or for assistance to assess and help try and resolve acne problems.

Non alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Risk factors put forward for the development of NAFLD have diets high in refined carbs, high fructose intake and some medications such as cortisone, methotrexate and anti retrovirals.

Many patient with NAFLD are type 2 diabetics or pre diabetic. Untreated this conditions
evolves in NASH which has inflammations added to the fatty liver accumulation.
Emerging drivers of NAFLD are now proposed such as gut dysbiosis and altered microbiome.

At Resolve health & wellness our treatment goals would include a reduction in inflammation, reduction in oxidative stress
and reduction in a pro-lipogenic state. Untreated this condition could lead to renal failure.

Non conventional treatment focuses on dietary modification. The Mediterranean diet high
in fruit and vegetables will improve liver fat content. At present there is no standard
pharmacological treatment available.

Exercise has also been researched and after 8 weeks of resistance exercise the fat content
was reduced. High intensity training reduced the liver triglycerides even further.

To turn your liver back into a healthy state many different agent are needed such as vitamin
E, omega 3's, phosphatidylcholine and herbals.

Even coffee and green tea demonstrated a reduction in NAFLD related fibrosis.

The University of Miami did studies using Rice Bran Arabinoxylan in adults with NAFLD and
liver enzymes reduced significantly after 90 days.

Please contact us on (07) 5525 2211 in confidence for further information or for your specialised program to rejuvenate your liver.

Toxicity has been directly linked to the rise in chronic disease.

Researchers have been studying the Diabetic Epidemic. In 1960, diabetes only affected 1% of population and sugar consumption was steadily raising since the early 1900. They concluded that there is no relationship between BMI and diabetes risk in those people with lowest toxin load.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPS) have detrimental effect on blood sugar metabolism. The prevalence of pre-diabetes is three times larger in populations exposed to high levels of organchlorine.

In addition, organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides have been found in rheumatoid arthritis patients and in children with ADHD. Eating conventionally grown foods (non-organic) dramatically increases your levels of these pesticides. Blood levels drop dramatically within 3 days of only eating organically grown foods.

Most people are aware that fish consumption will lead to higher mercury levels.
IVF failure has been directly linked to toxicity of the mother. Parabens, PCB's and organochlorine pesticides above a certain threshold will lead to failed implantation and reduced oocyte retrieval.
People vary largely in their detoxification potential. Adverse drug reactions are the first indicator for impairment.

Most people are not aware of the half lives of many of the toxins hiding in our tissue. Cadmium has a half life of 16 years, and commonly found in conventionally grown tofu. On the other hand, arsenic will be excreted after 2-4 days and most is found in rice.

Exposure to environmental toxins is ubiquitous in today's modern society with biomonitoring projects in Australia indicating sources of toxins are widespread.

One study measuring chemical exposure from personal care products showed a total paraben and benzophenone-3 concentration are significantly higher in Australian population than reported worldwide.

There is a definite need to clinically support patients with detoxification. Consider Oligoscan which is painfree and revolutionary way to assist in detecting the bioavailability of trace elements and heavy metal intoxication in real time.

Please contact us on (07) 5525 2211 in confidence for further information or an appointment should you believe you may be suffering from toxicity issues.

We've all heard about the importance of probiotics after a course of antibiotics, but should we have them other times? Should there be specific probiotics we take or are any fine? And what about the quantity and how long we need to have them?

To help you navigate the murky waters of myths and facts about probiotic use, we dispel four myths about probiotics and gut health.

1. Myth: "Buying any probiotic will colonise my gut."

Fact: Nearly all over the counter probiotics dare different from each other and do not permanently colonise the gut. 

Unfortunately probiotics don't last long in our system, while we don't know what makes probiotics so transient, we do know that:

A human gut microbiome is comprised of a core microbiome and variable commensal community, which depends on recent diet

We also know that the first three years of life are crucial for the development of your own individual core microbiome. C-section delivery, stress, antibiotics and other factors can all change the microbiome leading to a decline in diversity.

Probiotics have been shown to change the pH of the gut, and allow the core microbiome to grow. Needless to say if you want to improve your microbiome, then you need to include probiotics.

2. Myth: "Yoghurt contains all the probiotics I need."

Fact - While it takes bacteria to ferment the milk to make yogurt, not all of the bacteria are alive by the time you purchase it.

Yogurts that have specific probiotics in them should have on the label "live active cultures" or similar wording. Also, keep in mind that you would need to consume a lot of yogurt to get the required amount of bacteria.

3. Myth: "Take probiotics every day."

Fact - Our bodies naturally manufacture billions of flora in our intestines and digestive track but sometimes it needs a boost, particularly when on antibiotics or our systems have been overloaded with toxins.

Probiotics can be used for extended periods to nurture your gut and digestive tract back to good health and improve specific conditions.

Some probiotic strains have been scientifically researched as they do enhance the growth of your own indigenous populations. (Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 and Bb12 as well as Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG). To establish a more diverse microbiota we recommend including prebiotics and prebiotic-like foods.

4. Myth: "Take probiotics after a course of antibiotics."

Fact You can and should take probiotics while you have antibiotics.

While you should take probiotics when having a course of antibiotics, it is important to take antibiotics and probiotics at different times. 

Most antibiotics get absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract where probiotics work mainly in the lower gastrointestinal tract. So it's important you give the antibiotics time to move through the gut.

If possible wait around six hours between the two. It's best to take probiotics that have more potency when on antibiotics as the probiotics can be affected by your medication.

When you have kids, the arrival of winter seems to always be followed by an endless round of colds, sniffles and ongoing ear and chest infections. 

This constant illness through winter can lead to weakened immune systems and affect the whole family.  But by incorporating the following eight tips to boost your child's immune system this winter you can break the cycle and sleep a little easier this winter.  

1. Goodnight sleep

We know the effects on behaviour when young children have not had enough sleep, but we don't often think about the effect on their health.  For healthy bodies and minds, children should have at least 8-10 hours sleep to perform at their best.

2. More exercise

Children who spend too much time watching TV or playing video games are compromising their immune system.  We now know that the effects of the 'blue screen' can affect sleep patterns but exercise enhances sleep patterns.  On the other side, too much exercise and sports can have an adverse effect, so be sensible as to the number of sporting activities your child is enrolled in.

3. Limit sugar

It is sometimes tempting to 'reward' your child with a sweet 'treat' after school or sport, but the effect of refined sugar on their immune system is anything but rewarding.  Before leaving home take the time to prepare a healthy snack such as nuts and seeds or chop up their favourite fruit and vegetables. Be sure to let them see you eating healthy as well so it becomes normal to them.

4. Increase the garlic

Garlic has long been recognised in both ancient and modern times for its medicinal and healing properties.  Include it in as much of your cooking as possible.

5. Give probiotics

Known as 'good' bacteria probiotics assist with healthy digestion. With most of your child's immune system residing in their gut, this can be the quickest and easiest way to increase their immunity. 

6. Watch their stress

Adults are sometimes so used to living with stress and we forget that life can be stressful for our children as well.  The daily round of school, peer pressure, daily popularity even at a young age, can place significant stress on their young shoulders. 

If necessary, cut back on unnecessary items on their daily or weekly agenda and take the time to laugh out loud with your child.  Encourage them to see the funny side of situations and then look for solutions rather than stress about it.  Not only will you be boosting their immunity, but also teaching them valuable coping skills they will need.

7. Use herbs and supplements

When all else fails and your little one's health is being compromised, don't rule out herbs and supplements. Zinc and Vitamin D top of the list for boosting a weakened immune system and don't forget Omega 3 as well. Be sure to talk to your Naturopath, who will be able to recommend a personalised combination to address your child's needs.

8. Make smoothies

One of the easiest ways to include good healthy food in your child's diet is a smoothie, particularly a green smoothie. Include carrots, spinach oranges, lemon, banana and acai berry or acai berry powder that has more than 40 times the concentrated antioxidant than blueberries.

Experiment with different flavours to see if you can come up with your very own green smoothie immune booster!

What are your tips for keeping kids healthy through winter?