Cold Calling. "Hi, my name is Zinc, and l can help you!"

Cold Virus Vs. Zinc Supplementation: Let Battle Commence!

News flashed around the world this week which pardon my cynacism, was hardly rocket science, but news which confirmed already firm beliefs held with many people of health, science, preventative health, nutrition (like me) that Zinc supplements are better for reducing the severity and duration of illness caused by the common cold than say, oh, Antibiotics!

No.

What will the drug companies say. No more peddling of antibiotics for colds at medical centres. hospitals and GP surgeries around the world.

How profits will suffer!

American plans to push supplement use in preventitve health has more and more sound footing by the second.

Will other countries follow suit?

Don't bet on it, but at least us health practitioners who do care and do give a damn can give our insight of such benefits that may be possible from certain supplement use to our patients and to a wider audience through mediums such as this blog.

Zinc could play important role against the common cold

The review of new data carried by an Indian team and published in the Cochrane Library

updates similar work from 1999 and includes the data from a total of 15 new trials carried out by scientists and researchers with the involvment of 1360 people as subjects.

Accordingly, results from these various trials highlight the benefits of consumption at the onset of cold symptoms of Zinc supplement tablets, syrup or Lozenges to assist in the fight against the virus and help reduce the severity and length of the illness, very important when people need to work in hard economic times and children need to attend school so not to fall behind with education.

Lead researcher Meenu Singh, of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, said in a news release:

"This review strengthens the evidence for zinc as a treatment for the common cold,"

 After a week of use with Zinc supplementation, the team found in it's many results and data that more patients had cleared their cold symptoms compared to those taking a placebo.

And data from children and Zinc use discovered after 5 months or longer, they caught fewer colds and ultimately took less time off school.

Less Antibiotic use because of this research review will be important when considering the implications of antibiotic resistance that has become common in today’s modern world and another hardship for the medical profession to understand and overcome.
Data such as this may help.

With data only considering healthy subjects taking Zinc supplements for colds and related illnesses, the researchers will turn their attention to subjects already suffering from particular types of illness such as respiratory problems like Asthma, which can be made much worse by the onset of cold virus, and also in developing, low income countries where Zinc deficiency may be more common than not.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/o/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD001364/frame.html 

Zinc rich foods should be consumed all year round, and more so at times when cold virus is more prevalent, as in the winter.

Zinc rich food sources include:

• Spinach
• Beef
• Lamb
• Summer Squash
• Asparagus
• Chard
• Pumpkin seeds
• Green peas
• Sesame seeds
• Flax seeds
• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Cashew Nuts

Zinc deficiency has been shown to compromise white blood cell numbers hence it's negative affect on immune function. Supplementation has been shown to restore conditions to normal.

As well as immune function, zinc helps with blood sugar balance, important for maintaining balanced energy levels and avoiding over-eating or poor eating habits.

Without enough Zinc in our diet, the insulin needed to carry sugar from the bloodstream into cells will become impaired, insulin response decreases, and blood sugar imbalance may occur, important when trying to balance energy levels and control weight.

Zinc deficiency may also affect metabolic rate, the rate at which the body uses up energy, so important that enough is consumed in the diet.

Zinc deficiency may occur because of digestive complaints such as IBS, or impaired digestion due to decreased stomach acid or insufficient numbers of digestive enzymes.

Alcohol will also deplete stores of the trace mineral Zinc, so important at Christmas when we consume more alcohol and tend to be prone to more colds in the following cold/flu season!

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes depleted zinc, and resulting foetal zinc deficiency may explain possible birth defects and neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with alcohol exposure. 

Alcohol Depletes Zinc in the body. Could be significant health implications for all

Zinc Supplements

Good quality, well researched supplements l have found useful and to the liking of my clients when required, can be acquired if needed and under supervision and advice of a qualified practitioner from:

 

http://www.cytoplan.co.uk

Zinc Supplements to help with those winter colds!

Cytoplan WholeFood Zinc 7.5mg:
Wholefood Zinc is made from hydroponically-grown brassica (a member of the broccoli family). Possibly the only genuine wholefood zinc product on the market. 

This edible species of broccoli has a tremendous capacity to bioaccumulate high levels of minerals and metabolise them into its plant tissue and structure, which is why it is so ideal for producing supplements where higher levels of minerals are required than would normally be present in the food we eat.

Suggested Intake: 1-2 capsules daily, or take as directed by a practitioner. Best time to usually take Zinc supplements such as this would be at just before going to bed with a very small sleep inducing snack.
Suitable for: Vegetarians and vegans and for people with Candida and yeast sensitivities.
Contraindications: None.
Non-Active Ingredients: Vegetable magnesium stearate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.
Non GM & Free From: Yeast, wheat; starch, gluten; added colourings, sweeteners & preservatives.
Storage: Keep cool, dry & out of direct sunlight.

For a syrup for cold season consumption that may help, which not only contains zinc, but a nemesis of the cold and flu virus, Black Elderberry, Sambucus nigra, try the Sambucol range of supplemented syrups such as this:

Zinc & Black Elderberry. Lovely!

More on Black Elderberry and cold virus in the future.

Toodle pip!

Nutrition Advice

For more benefits of a well balanced diet, healthier lifestyle and the potential of Zinc in foods and in Supplements, come and visit me at my clinic and see what positive changes maybe suitable for you.

Get Fit and Healthy in 2011 

Healthy Eating, Diet & Weight Management Clinics

Introductory offers January - March 25% off.

Local Business, Key workers & Students 35% off.

Full Consultations, Drop in sessions & Home Visits

See shop for Details (Limited Availability).

Home Sweet Clinic!

Ray of Sunshine Nutrition  
So Organic Greenwich
22 Nelson Road
Royal Greenwich
London
SE10 9JB
020 8305 5357

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Broccoli. How do you Eat yours!

Now I see and also receive when eating, more than my far share of greyish looking Broccoli on more occasions than l can count sometimes, and as a man of Nutrition, way more than l should.

Recent studies have once again confirmed many of the previous research on Broccoli and it's benefits to health, especially in regards to possible Anti Cancer uses, but importantly, it's not how much we eat of it, when we eat it but more a case of how we cook and prepare Broccoli and what type we choose to eat.

Organic, great, fresh out of the Organic garden or allotment grown by your own fair hand.....even better, but if we cook it for 45 minutes frankly you would be better off going to McDonalds for half a dozen happy meals!

But cooking Broccoli, steaming being best for a very short time, eating some raw, and introducing sprouting broccoli into your diet according to research is the best way to gain all the beneficial nutrients this wonderful cruciferous vegetable of the Kale family.

Steamed, Raw, Spouted. Not overcooked grey mush!

Scientist's form the University of Illinois in the most recent study highlighted the benefit of Broccoli prepared to gain the most out of the vegetable and how the Broccoli is consumed.

Professor of Nutrition at the University, Dr. Elizabeth Jeffery, noted from the study results of the significance of preparation and consumption to Broccoli's anti-cancer benefits:

"Broccoli, prepared correctly, is an extremely potent cancer-fighting agent -- three to five servings a week are enough to have an effect. To get broccoli's benefits, though, the enzyme myrosinase has to be present; if it's not there, sulforaphane, broccoli's cancer-preventive and anti-inflammatory component, doesn't form"  

The findings of the study suggest quickly boiled/blanched Broccoli or steamed Broccoli, combined with sprouting Broccoli proves to be the best combination to provide possible anti cancer benefits....almost twice as powerful when teamed together than taken separately.

The enzyme Myrosinase is present in Broccoli, and excessive over cooking that is so common with Broccoli of all types, can destroy the this enzyme which helps to form the beneficial anti-inflammatory, possible anti-cancer component Sulforaphane.

Broccoli powder, used in supplement form and consumed by many health conscious individuals around the planet does not contain Myrosinase, so any possible health benefits might be misguided by those taking the supplement.

Sprouted Broccoli, quick, easy to grow and highly Nutritious

Broccoli sprouts, prepared like you would prepare mustard cress and other sprouting beans beneficial for health, does contain the beneficial enzyme Myrosinase, so when taken with lightly cooked or steamed Broccoli, or with the Broccoli powder in supplement form, the affect together would potentially produce those beneficial qualities that gives Broccoli it's important and very significant Anti-Cancer label.

The study at the University of Illinois produced a small pilot study that gave healthy men meals of broccoli spouts alone, broccoli powder alone, or a meal of a combination of the two. 

The levels of the important anti-cancer component, Sulforaphane metabolites were then measured in blood and urine from the study subjects to search for biomarkers of the component and see how the various combinations of meals equated to possible benefit.

Blood plasma and urine outputs after 3 hours from meal time producing interesting results for the team:

"There was almost a twofold increase in sulforaphane absorption when sprouts and powder were eaten together. It changed the way the subjects metabolized the powder. We saw plasma and urine metabolites much earlier and at much higher levels than when either was eaten alone," 

With the precursor Myrosinase present in the Broccoli sprouts able to produce the beneficial Sulforaphane, and from the precursor present in the Broccoli powder, they were able to highlight the benefits of not only a meal that contained fresh, organic broccoli, raw or steamed lightly, teamed with broccoli sprouts on top...... but also from the use in our diets of other sprouting seeds that produce a similar affect to the Broccoli as they to also contain Sulforaphane...seeds such as mustard, radishes, arugula, and wasabi, other wise known as japanese Horseradish. 

"Steaming broccoli for two to four minutes is the perfect way to protect both the enzyme and the vegetable's nutrients," 

Journal Reference:

1. Jenna Cramer, Elizabeth Jeffery. Sulforaphane Absorption and Excretion Following Ingestion of a Semi-Purified Broccoli Powder Rich in Glucoraphanin and Broccoli Sprouts in Healthy Men. Nutrition and Cancer, 2011; : 1 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2011.523495

Sprouting Seeds: Get your own

As a child l vividly remember times at nursery and primary school producing plastic trays full of mustard seeds to be taken home, watered, left in the light and see what happens. Loan behold, 3-4 days later...there was some lovely mustard cress for my sandwiches to make with my mom!

Simple, but affective, these teachers of the late 70's and early 80's must have picked up some useful knowledge at University....the making of sprouted, organic, healthy, nutritious life being one!

And it can still be done today, and is done by many around world with some sprouting seeds of various varieties, light, water and a tray some system, tiered tray or simple jar to place these beneficial seeds in ready for growing.

For further information on seeds, beans, trays, growing and producing, try: 

www.ukjuicers.com/SproutingSeeds
www.avogel.co.uk/shop/products/biosnacky/largegerminator.php

Tiered Growing trays for spouted beans a useful addition to any kitchen

Nutrition Advice

For more benefits of a well balanced diet, healthier lifestyle and the potential of Broccoli and other vegetables, come and visit me at my clinic and see what positive changes maybe suitable for you.

Get Fit and Healthy in 2011 

Healthy Eating, Diet & Weight Management Clinics

Introductory offers January - March 25% off.

Local Business, Key workers & Students 35% off.

Full Consultations, Drop in sessions & Home Visits

See shop for Details (Limited Availability).

Home Sweet Clinic!

Ray of Sunshine Nutrition  
So Organic Greenwich
22 Nelson Road
Royal Greenwich
London
SE10 9JB
020 8305 5357

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Why See a Nutritional Therapist......why Indeed!

The ultimate promotion of Nutrition is from it's Science basis of Optimum health, peak performance, disease prevention and individual client/patient care.

My role during my weekly Nutrition clinics and in all my Nutrition work with patients is an approach that's works with the individual, most importantly, on many different levels to support the body to help alleviate or prevent illness and disease, supporting the body towards normal everyday function and importantly to promote optimal health.

Nutritional Science for Preventative and Optimal health

Personalized Nutrition for personalized health is my goal for my patients, dealing with prevention and underlying causes instead of symptoms of illness and chronic disease. Health is more than the absence of disease:

" It is more Important to know what patient has the disease than to know what disease the patient has" Sir William Osler

Using a more personalized, individual approach to preventative and optimal health, good Nutrition, or Nutritional Therapy can help all manner of people of any ages with a wide range of conditions. These may include specialized areas l deal with such as: 

• Energy imbalance, fatigue and excess tiredness
• Digestive dysfunction such as IBS, Ceoliac's, Low or Excess acid, food Intolerances and allergans, bloating and other digestive issues
• Stress management
• Female Hormone imbalance
• Skin conditions such as eczema and Psoriasis
• Male Health
• Female and Male pre pregnancy and fertility advice
• Post pregnancy diet and fitness advice
• Infant and child food advice and cooking sessions
• Weight management programmes 
• Fitness and lifestyle advice

With this type of Bio chemical individuality approach towards nutrition, diet and fitness, seeing health as a positive vitality not just the absence of disease, promoting prevention and optimal health to all, Nutritional therapists in their work may also give advice and recommendations to those with an array of varied clinical imbalances including:

• Depression and other mental health issues
• Immune function and susceptibility to illness and infection
• Migraine
• Acne
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Chronic fatigue/ME
• Circulatory conditions
• Candida
• Insomnia
• Blood pressure issues
• Sports Nutrition
• Cholesterol balance
• Obesity
• Child behaviour difficulties

With my Nutrition clinics, l like many other practitioners recognise that each individual is unique and important and therefore require not 'one size fit all'....."well it worked for her lm sure it will work for me" approach, but the 'what's right for me approach'...., which l can tell you of years of experience can be a ongoing process when it comes to finding what's right for our diet, lifestyle and health.

We are all different, so our needs will be different

The Nutrition Consultation Process 

For tailored individual care, clients will receive a detailed Health, Nutrition and Lifestyle Questionnaire prior to our first meeting that is to be completed and returned beforehand or bought along to the meeting. Along with this questionnaire, the client will have detailed at least 5 days dietary intake in a food diary to help assist the practitioner detail help and advice where it is needed or required.

Questionnaire, health profile and food diary will be important

The First consultation will usually last one and a half hours, during which we consider the detail of the questionnaire and food diary, taking an extensive case history, discussing health and wellbeing and any overriding issues the client has and establish Health and Lifestyle goals for the client.

Prior to the first consultation l will have started the process of looking in detail at the patients health issues and ultimate goals, and along with the Consultation in clinic l will hopefully be able to better explain potential underlying causes of any health concerns and how from that point on, a tailored, individual Nutrition and lifestyle plan will be of benefit to the client, which will delivered to the client following the first consultation. 

This plan discussed and negotiated with the client will be a individual Nutrition and lifestyle plan aimed at addressing concerns, symptoms and other complaints with the ultimate aim of improving health for the long term needs of the client and empowering them to take control of their health and their life, instead of waiting for illness and disease to take over them.


Follow Up clinics

Follow up clinics are usually advised 4-6 weeks after the initial consultation whilst progress, follow up information, telephone and email sessions will be available to the client to assist them during the time following the consultation where sometimes significant changes to diet and lifestyle maybe taking place and support may be needed, and always welcomed from a Therapists point of view.

A Clinic visit or telephone based follow up consultation will usually take 45 minutes, though this may take longer at the clients request.
Follow up clinics may continue at the clients request if the client feels they will be of benefit to them to do so, whilst some clients may need only one follow up session.


The End Game. No, Just the beginning


In essence, l see my role during my Nutrition clinics as the supplier of knowledge, of facts, of science that may help everyone on a individual basis, to enpower them once they have the right tools, take control of their own health, know their own bodies, know what their body needs to maintain optimal health and live life instead of worrying about health and the potential for illness and disease.
If that means that are only see clients a few times, so bit, hopefully that means l have done my job and done it well.

Take charge of your health and live YOUR life!

So why see me, a Nutritional Therapist, at one of my Nutrition clinics.....why indeed.

Toodle pip!


Nutrition Advice

For more benefits of a well balanced diet, healthier lifestyle and the potential that taking charge of your diet and exercise can have, come and visit me at my clinic and see what positive changes maybe suitable for you.

Get Fit and Healthy in 2011 

Healthy Eating, Diet & Weight Management Clinics

Introductory offers January - March 25% off.

Local Business, Key workers & Students 35% off.

Full Consultations, Drop in sessions & Home Visits

See shop for Details (Limited Availability).

Home Sweet Clinic!

Ray of Sunshine Nutrition  
So Organic
22 Nelson Road
Greenwich
London
SE10 9JB
0800 169 2579

View Larger Map