irina.schurov

DID YOU GET ENOUGH VITAMIN D THIS SUMMER?

You are probably already aware of the many important roles the ‘sunshine vitamin’ plays in the human body, including the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth, facilitating healthy immune and nervous systems, supporting cardiovascular health, regulating insulin levels and numerous other functions. However, you may well be surprised to discover that Vitamin D is also very important for our gut to be healthy and for the quality of our sleep. Research has shown that Vitamin D deficiency can alter the intestinal microbiome (Ref. 1). Interestingly, Vitamin D supports certain types of bacteria that produce B Vitamins, which are in turn absolutely vital for our well-being.

Furthermore, together with Vitamin B5, Vitamin D creates the precious neurotransmitter “Acetylcholine”, which allows the body to fall into deep quality sleep, which, in turn, affects our focus, concentration and learning abilities. Therefore, if, for example, your child has just returned to school after the holidays but already feels a lack of concentration and wants to stay in bed longer than usual, let them play outside as much as possible while the weather is still good! Let them absorb as much Vitamin D as they can, which for some reason they were unable to get enough of during the summer. It may well be that simple! Spending more time outside will improve their levels of Vitamin D and, as a result, improve their quality of sleep and, therefore, focus and development. And remember, skin type does matter! Children with darker skin create Vitamin D at a slower rate and putting sun cream on their skin is not recommended at all.

Recent studies have suggested that the majority of people experience Vitamin D deficiency (Ref. 2). Our bodies are unable to store a lot of Vitamin D as it breaks down quite quickly, meaning that our stocks can run low, especially during the winter.

Think about a bear who eats as much food as he can during the summer months, creates plenty of Vitamin D, and then climbs into to a hole and hibernates throughout the entirety of winter. During this period the bear’s body adapts dramatically to the season by lowering his metabolism so that he does not spend too many calories, essential nutrients and hormones, including Vitamin D. Some vitamins like B Vitamins are made internally as they cannot be stored and need to be produced regularly. For this reason, the microbiome provides a “metabolic match” for the bear, keeping him asleep for 6 months.

Unfortunately, people have learned how to ignore seasonality, by spending lots of time inside with electricity, air conditioning and so on. We think we no longer need and no longer depend on sunlight. We, therefore, often abuse our circadian rhythms and, from the body’s perspective, we live in constant winter. This is precisely why we experience chronic Vitamin D depravation and chronic sleep problems, leading to numerous other chronic conditions. Furthermore, Vitamin D is made in our skin cells from cholesterol, which we have been desperately trying to lower in our bodies because of its ‘bad’ reputation. Unfortunately, if you do not have enough cholesterol in your body, you can not produce enough Vitamin D either.

Ultimately, if your child or you are experiencing morning fatigue, or restless nights with lots of tossing and turning in bed, or even wetting the bed or expressing loud vocalisations, please, consider checking your Vitamin D and B Vitamin levels. Both of these nutrients are essential for a good night’s sleep.

Have more sunshine in your life! Spend more time outside and allow yourself and your children to enjoy enough quality sleep!

Ref. 1: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27515213

Ref. 2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068797/

AUTISM TODAY AND SPRING CLEANING YOUR LIFE!

April is Autism awareness month; the perfect opportunity to discuss this incredibly important topic! Why is it important? Because, Autism is currently the fastest-growing neurodevelopmental disorder in the world. It is very interesting to see how much information about this condition is now available; the growing number of eye-opening scientific research being published, there to help us to understand why this disorder may affect people in the first place and, consequently, what can be done about it! Many scientists used to believe that genetics were responsible for up to 90% of all Autism cases. However, modern research suggests that environmental factors and life style play a much greater role in Autism development than the genetic factor. In fact, Autism is rarely genetic!

Studies of identical twins, who share nearly the same DNA, have demonstrated that in the majority of cases, only one twin develops Autism rather than both. We also know that, in many cases, children are born normal healthy babies and only start developing Autism a few months into their lives. So, what is happening and why can children who are born normal develop Autism?

Nowadays, we understand the clear and huge impact of environmental toxins, heavy metals, infections, malnutrition, stress, an inactive life style on a low immune system, chronic inflammation, gut disbalance and brain development. Different combinations of various environmental insults cause genetic mutations! Different toxic factors have the ability to switch our genes “on and off”. For this reason, we talk about genetic susceptibility rather than about genetic defects at birth.

Lead, mercury, nitric oxides, infections, plastic, toxic food additives and many more other toxins overload our children from the inside out, deplete their vitamins and minerals, slow down the work of different enzymes and set their brains “on fire”! Yes, we can now conduct genetic tests and see which mutations your child has and what is the best way to create a “by-pass” around these blockages. According Dr Lynch, there are seven main genes that affect everyone’s health, but especially the health of children with Autism.

For example, MTHFR is the methylation master gene. Methylation is a key process involved in the stress response, inflammation, brain chemistry, energy production, genetic expression, detoxification and other functions. Therefore, when this gene doesn’t work optimally, the child in question can experience depression, anxiety, migraines, autoimmunity, autism, cardiovascular conditions and other issues.

Another example would be the COMPT gene, which affects our mood, focus and also our ability to handle estrogen. Consequently, if this gene is modified, your child can experience insomnia, irritability, anxiety, impatience, addictions, various neurological conditions.

The good thing is that we can control the total toxic overload of our children’s bodies and, therefore, help their genes to function better. This is the very first thing we should consider when helping our kids! REMOVE THE TOXINS THAT WE CAN CONTROL! CLEAN THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT!

Main insults that we have to reduce:

sugar, excessive amounts of carbohydrates
processed food and drink,
unhealthy fats,
electro-magnetic pollution,
sedentary lifestyle,
lack of sleep,
physical and physiological stress.

START “CLEANING UP” YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF YOUR CHILDREN! This is the first and most vital step to becoming healthier. You can try other, more expensive ways of supporting your child, but if you do not “clean up” their environment, any other applied approaches will not be as helpful or as long-lasting as they could be!

Only after a “spring clean”, can the DNA test results be helpful in designing a specific individual supplementation plan, which would help to build the “by-pass” to overcome certain shortages at a biochemical level in your child.

To support you in this journey, I would like to offer you a VERY SPECIAL BONUS, valid only for the month of April – book the genetic test with me by the end of this month and receive a 50% discount for a follow-up consultation. You are welcome to book the test and consultation now and use them later – they will be valid until the end of 2019!

Please book by email: irina@liveright.eu!

CAN YOU READ YOUR SYMPTOMS?

Do you ever experience random headaches or migraines? Do you ever feel as though your tongue is swelling when you eat certain food? Or maybe you have skin rashes, eczema, diarrhea, itchy eyes, runny nose or congestions? When noticing such symptoms, many of us simply assume them to be seasonal allergies or caused by other minor reasons. However, one of the explanations behind such symptoms can be a condition called histamine intolerance.

What is Histamin Intolerance?

Histamine is a natural compound that can be found in different food containing the amino acid “histidine”. In addition to this, however, it is also an important amine produced by different cells of the immune, gastrointestinal and neurologic systems. Histamine is actually a signaling molecule that communicates information between cells and receptors in the body, stimulating many different processes.

A few other Histamine functions:

It is an element of the immune system and the body’s inflammatory reaction, making it a part of our protective mechanism against infection, insect bites etc.
It also works as a neurotransmitterin the brain and controls the sleep-wake cycle.
It regulates physiological functions in the gut and the production of gastric acid.

In a healthy person, once histamine has done its job, it is broken down by certain enzymes. In some cases, however, the body may be unable to deal with the histamine that it has generated or consumed. The enzymes may not be able to break down the molecule for a number of reasons, such as genetic mutation, reduced amount of enzyme activity, nutrient deficiency or simply an imbalance between the consumption of histamine-rich food or food that naturally blocks enzymes.

Interestingly, one of these important enzymes called DAO is produced in the gut. So, if intestinal function is compromised there may not be enough DAO to degrade the histamine normally. This is why, very often, people who have an issue with their gastrointestinal systems are also prone to other symptoms representing histamine intolerance.

Nowadays, it is also becoming evident that children with autism have a tendency towards histamine intolerance. Because the brain has cells that trigger the release of histamine as a response to neurotensin, this can cause autoinflammation leading to headaches, ‘brain fog’, and other neurological symptoms so often associated with ASD.

Note that histamine intolerance is not a true food allergy since it comes from the body’s inability to clear the cumulative buildup of histamine. Because of this, the symptoms may not be immediate and it may, therefore, be difficult to identify a particular food as the trigger. As the mechanism of histamine intolerance is different from any food allergy and is not mediated by antibody IgE, a standard allergy test will not able to recognise it.

If you think you may have histamine intolerance, a food diary is the essential tool necessary for exploring this possibility further.

You need to monitor the following:

Food rich in histamine
Food releasing histamine
DAO enzyme inhibitors such as alcohol, tea (black, green, mate), and various energy drinks

Food rich in histamine:

Fermented food: sauerkraut, kombucha, fermented dairy including yogurt, kefir, sour cream, soy sauce, fish sauce
Vinegar and Vinegar-containing food: pickles, olives, mustard
Cured meats: bacon, salami, hot dogs, sausage
Aged, dried, jerky, smoked and less fresh meat and fish, as well as anchovies and mackerel
Aged cheese
Nuts: Peanuts, walnuts, and cashews
Vegetables: avocados, mushrooms, aubergine, spinach, and dried tomatoes and tomato sauce
Dried fruit and citrus fruit
Long/slow simmered and roasted food: such as bone broths and pot roasts
Fermented alcohol: wine, beer, brandy, port, sherry, rum, champagne
Probiotic supplements

Food releasing histamine:

Bananas
Chocolate
Alcohol
Milk
Nuts and peanuts
Fruit: Papaya, Pineapple, Strawberries
Tomatoes
Shellfish
Artificial preservatives and dyes

If you notice a correlation between the consumption of the above products and your symptoms, I would suggest:

Trying a temporary low histamine diet.
Working on supporting and strengthening your immune system.
Working on your gut health.
Look into supplement support with your practitioner.
Adjusting your cooking methods to lower the levels of histamine in your food (cook your broth for a shorter period of time, avoid slow cooked food, eat fresh meat instead of frozen and avoid leftovers).

Should you have any questions or feedback, please email me your comments!

Irina

Photo by Alex Guillaume

“UNDIET” YOURSELF THIS YEAR AND GO WILD!

At the beginning of each new year, many people set themselves a variety of objectives, such as aiming to follow a specific diet as a part of their healthy eating plan. This is a wonderful initiative! Have you tried it before? Which particular diet did you try adopting? Vegan, Keto, Raw Food diet, Intermediate Fasting? Let me know how it went! The trouble is that many people give up on these resolutions very quickly, determining the specific diet attempted to be ineffective and seeing no point in continuing with it or trying it again. However, the truth is that the diet in question may not work for you simply because it is not the right eating pattern for your body at this current moment in time.

Each diet addresses specific health issues or eating needs. It is, therefore impossible to decide which specific diet you may need and how long you should follow it, without first understanding your own symptoms. Once your body’s needs have been addressed, the eating plan should be adjusted accord to your personal response. However, if you were to explore all the different diets, you would notice one factor common to them all – each diet suggests replacing eating rubbish with eating real food! This fundamental principle of eating healthy is encoded deep in our human genetics.

Therefore, today, I would like to share with you a very simple 7-step solution that will help you improve your health without needing to adopt any particular diet. So, here is your Healthy UNDIET Guide to fundamental and essential changes for the better!

“Eat real” as much as you can!

Simply do not buy any processed food, including sauces, biscuits and tinned products. You can start gently, reducing little by little, and eventually aim to eat 100% whole food that you know was made in your kitchen! This will help eliminate any unwanted components, that happen to be toxic, from your body and raise awareness about food and its nutritional value.

“Eat wild” and organic as much as possible!

Nowadays we mostly eat modified food that looks good and tastes better, but that, unfortunately, has lost many of its healing properties and contains fewer nutrients. For example, wild blueberries are much smaller and less sweet than big, commercially produced berries. However, despite their lesser size, they actually contain more useful micronutrients!

Drink more water!

This sounds very easy, yet, how many of us drink at least 2 litres of water a day, especially during the winter? Water is essential for the digestion, detoxification, energy level maintenance, healthy skin, blood pressure control and so much more.

Eat slowly and chew better!

Digestion starts in your mouth. Make sure you swallow properly liquified food. Even when you eat soup, do not rush and take your time ensuring that the enzymes from your saliva have had the chance to do their job in the oral cavity. This way you will also experience more flavours, textures and smells from the meal you eat, allowing you to enjoy it more!

Eat diverse food!

Any single food doesn’t contain all the essential nutrients that we require for health and well-being. Therefore, by eating a diverse, balanced, multicoloured range of ingredients, you can consume the necessary amount of micro-elements for normal body function.

Take a deep breath before you eat!

When you do diaphragmatic breathing 5-10 times before your meal, you reduce your level of stress, improve your digestion and increase your metabolism. Simple, but so powerful.

Stop counting calories!

A calorie is not a measure of health. The quality of the food consumed sets up your metabolism and is much more important than calories. It has been shown that counting calories can actually increase your appetite and cause weight gain.

Therefore, follow these 7 practical steps and let me know how they go! They may take some time to take effect, and that is OK. Work on them one step at the time and be patient! The aim is to live a rich and fulfilling life without any restrictions and to enjoy your food every day.

Please, do not hesitate to contact me for more information, advice or consultation.

Photo by Peter Wendt

Irina

PREPARE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM FOR THE WINTER SEASON

Finally, the season of runny noses, colds and flues has arrived! Children and adults with compromised immune systems have already been busy sneezing and coughing. Some people say that this is entirely normal behaviour for this time of the year, I, however, disagree with such an opinion. It is never “normal” for either our kids or us, adults, to be constantly sick and to have to see a doctor on a regular basis. We should aim for approx. 1 – 2 colds per year with a fleeting 2 – 3-day period of symptoms characteristic of being unwell, in order to allow our immune systems to boost their strength and train to fight potential infections. But, how can we prepare our immune system for the winter season, so that we all have a better defence mechanism and are able to recover painlessly and quickly?

Here is a list of appropriate measures to be put into place to effectively and safely boost our immune systems.

Start with an “immune supporting diet”

This approach is based on good quality, home-made and diverse food. All additives, preservatives, and sugars deplete the body of its essential micronutrients, all the while simply adding stress and toxicity. In fact, research has shown that sugar can directly suppress the immune system! Furthermore, you must be aware of your food intolerances and allergies. In some cases, you may eat very healthy food, but which does not agree with your body and can cause an inflammation that weakens your immune system. Provide your body with plenty of vegetables, whole fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, eggs, fish and meat. Increase your dose of warm, cooked, comfort food that is easy to digest, such as soup. This will save you the energy your body needs for effective defence. Consume garlic, onions, ginger, turmeric, hot chilli, other very anti-inflammatory spices on a daily basis, and help your immune system grow stronger.

Check the status of your microflora

Our microbiomes and digestive systems provide us with the first and tremendously important level of defence. They protect us from the majority of toxins, bacteria and viruses! 80% of our immune system is located in our gut, therefore, if you notice that you or your child are experiencing some indigestion (undigested food, mucus in the stool, bloating, gas, pain) or issues with stool (constipation, loose stool, diarrhoea), you should start addressing this immediately. General multi-strain probiotics can be used to support your gut and, of course, fermented food and drink like natural yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tofu and many others, will make a huge positive difference once introduced into your life.

Control the level of stress suppressing your immune system

Elevated levels of stress hormones are linked to low immunity. Any anxiety, extra pressure, lack of sleep cause not only poor concentration, focus and slow academic performance, but also lead to a weak immune system. Therefore, the balance between academic work and exercise, physical activity and quality time together with your kids and friends is essential to your health. Please, do not forget to create a “NO electronics zone” when you spend time with your kids!

Sleep is essential for a healthy immune system

We all need sufficient amounts of sleep during which our body is detoxified, restored and healed, a topic we discussed in great detail in my last article (link). Throughout the winter we need to respect our body clock as much as possible and go to bed earlier. Setting up an evening routine to prepare your children and yourself for a good sleep is very important! Healthy warm drinks like non-dairy golden milk (add turmeric paste, cinnamon, honey etc. to a milk of your choice but preferably non-dairy) or stewed apples with honey and cinnamon can be a good snack before bed. Epsom salt baths, lavender oil in the bedroom, a nice book and a hug can provide lots of positive calming sensations for a good quality night’s rest. Remember to turn off all electronic devices and lights, particularly the blue ones, for the night!

Note that, fever helps our bodies to fight infection

This means that, the moment you notice a small rise in your own or your children’s body temperature, you should not directly reach for medicine. Let us allow the body to do its job – fight infection! The immune system works more effectively at a high body temperature, meaning that by suppressing this effect, we prolong the period of illness. Only when you see that your temperature has grown higher than 38.5 C⁰, should you help your body cool down. It is better to do this by way of natural remedies like apple cider vinegar (ACV). Our grandparents always employed this approach to cool down our parents – soaking a soft cloth in water diluted ACV (1:2) and placing it over the patient’s forehead. If the body temperature is very high, you can create a wrap for the entire body; vinegar will “draw out” the heat. You can repeat this process a few times until the person in question is finally better. Drinking plenty of liquid, including chicken broth, infusions, teas and water, help control fevers as well.

Supplements, herbs and essential oils can be life savers

Think about some food based, good quality supplements that may be necessary throughout the 2-3 months of winter: fish oil with vitamin D, Juice Plus, Elderberry and Echinacea Syrup. I would, however, recommend consulting a naturopath or a nutritional therapist about supplements as they need to be individually selected. Eucalyptus oil, tea tree, lemon, oregano, peppermint oils could all help with cold symptoms and generally support your immune system.

Plenty of approaches can be applied to help yourself and your child enjoy a fantastic, healthy winter season, full of joy and fun, rather than sick beds. Have a wonderful November!

I am looking forward to you feedback!

Irina

Photo by Til Jentzsch on Unsplash

SET YOUR INTERNAL CLOCK FOR GREAT WINTER SEASON

I am sure you have noticed that our days have been getting shorter and that we now experience far less sun light exposure. At this time of year lots of people start to undergo a form of seasonal blues, lack of energy and emotional slumps. People who are especially sensitive to such changes of environment can sometimes be diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Of course, children who experience troubles with learning, concentration, sensory issues and emotional challenges will be even more susceptible to lack of day light. For example, it was shown that deficiency of sun light can potentially lead Asperger’s children to have low self-esteem, feel disappointment, isolation, mood swings and a lack of motivation. Consequently, while everyone feels the shortage of light exposure, we all tolerate and adapt to it in different ways.

From a biological perspective, as the seasons shift, our bodies experience certain biochemical changes, which are absolutely normal! Although humans aren’t as seasonal as animals and we do not hibernate in the winter, environmental changes have a clear impact on our biology!

Our master clock, located in the hypothalamus, responds to light by secreting certain hormones such as serotonin, which helps the body to feel awake, alert and satisfied. When it is dark, serotonin is converted to melatonin, making the body feel sleepy. It is for this reason that lack of day light causes hormonal imbalance, leading to many troublesome consequences, including sleep disorders, behavioral problems, hormonal imbalances and stress. To summarise; HUMANS’ ARE VERY DEPENDENT ON LIGHT!

Have you noticed that during the winter we try to compensate for our low levels of serotonin by reaching for comfort food and eating lots of carbohydrates and sweets? This gives us instant but fleeting satisfaction, which passes quickly and leaves us with long-term consequences such as elevated levels of blood glucose, extra weight, irritability and insulin imbalance.

Here is a quick check list of typical signs of SAD:

Depressed mood, low energy during the day
Anxiety or irritation, not handling stress well
Feeling lethargic and sleeping more than usual
Difficulty to concentrate and focus
Preferring to stay alone, less socializing
Craving for easy carbohydrates and sweets
Feeling a need for a sunlight

So, how can we prepare for this year’s winter? Here is a short list of changes you can implement into your routine, to ensure you experience a pleasant and energetic few months!

1) BALANCED DIET

Research has shown that the Mediterranean variety of diet lowers our chances of depression. Therefore, make sure you focus on oily organic fish like salmon, sardines, trout, mackerel, anchovies and seafood. Small amounts of good quality meat, together with organic dairy products (if you tolerate them) and eggs also reduce the odds of developing depression. This way you can get your fat-soluble, and absolutely health essential, vitamins A, D and K as well as vitamin B12, which is individually associated with combating depression and anxiety.

Consume plenty of nutrient-dense food like leafy greens and multicolored vegetables, including a few starchy products such as sweet potatoes and beetroot. Nuts, seeds, beans and lentils provide many necessary microelements as well.

A healthy gut helps our body to adapt to any stress, including seasonal changes. So, do not forget to eat fermented food like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, kombucha, and many others containing active live cultures.

By eating easily digestible food, such as fermented food, gluten-free food, cooked vegetables, bone broth, you save your body lots of energy, which you may need for other activities.

Additionally, turmeric is a fantastic product! I always say this because it is always true, and, in this case, my comment is especially relevant as turmeric has been proven to help with depression symptoms. Other spices like chili powder, saffron, vanilla, cloves, sage, nutmeg and black pepper also help fight depression and get your mood and activities back on track.

Do not forget to indulge yourself with a small bit of dark chocolate. Not a candy bar or milk chocolate; I’m talking about high-quality, 85% dark of higher, pure cocoa packed with potent and brilliant antioxidant polyphenol.

Notice that if you eat all of the above and minimize the amount of sugar and easy carbohydrates, such as bread, cookies, etc. you traditionally consume, you will not gain extra weight!

Please, remember that any dietary recommendation you apply must be based on your own individual response and food sensitivity profile!

2) CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTATION

Fish oil supplementation is a good way to ensure you consume a sufficient amount of both vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids. The positive effects of EPA and DHA fatty acids and Vitamin D on brain health and general mood have been extensively demonstrated. I would, however, recommend checking your vitamin D levels with a blood test before increasing the amount of vitamin D you consume, as overdosing on vitamin D is not very healthy! Vitamin D is complementary with other fat-soluble vitamins (A and K) that work together for heart, bone, and immune health. You may consider supplementing them as well! Vitamin B12 may be another option to consider to keep your energy level and anxiety under control.

3) OTHER CHANGES TO IMPLEMENT

Go outside every day even if it is chilly and raining and try to expose your arms and chest to the sun (if it is not too cold) for a few minutes to top up your level of vitamin D. Spending time outdoors helps fight our internal inclination to hibernate, restoring our mood and energy levels.
Respect the natural day pattern as much as you can and make sure you go to bed earlier, as during the winter we need longer rest periods. No need to feel guilty for going to bed when you are tired! At the same time, make sure you maintain a steady sleep routine. Do not ingest any caffeine six hours before bed and avoid bright lights and screens in the late evening. Remember that even 5 minutes of white light can stop your melatonin production for 4 hours and can spoil the quality of your sleep.
Consider Light therapy. Simply choose a lamp that illuminates at 10,000 lux and filters all UV light and set it up in your bedroom. You can configure the light for the morning, at least 30 min before your alarm goes off, so that your body receives enough light to build a biochemical response to ease your waking up process. Keep the lamp around you for another 30-60 min in the morning. You can do another 30 – 60 min in the afternoon if you feel your body needs it but avoid such light exposure in the evening. SAD lamps emit strong light, so be careful not to look directly into the bulbs!
Look for other ways to improve your mood.
Enjoy sitting by the fire if you have a fire place or lighting candles during long evenings, to provide yourself with additional emotional balance and stability
Read an interesting book
Do your favourite sport or activity and don’t forget to find time to meet your friends.
Meditation if a very powerful tool for bringing depressive thoughts under control.
Saunas help many people feel better by warming up their body temperature.
Essential oils can provide good support for focusing, concentration and energy levels. Enjoy aromas of basil, lavender, bergamot, frankincense and geranium to lift your mood and energy.

Note that THE BEST RESULTS ARE ACHIEVED WHEN YOU IMPLEMENT COMBINATIONS OF THE ABOVE STEPS AS OPPOSED TO JUST ONE.

I hope this post helps you and your loved ones prepare for this traditionally melancholy season! By implementing these steps try instead to enjoy this time of year, and all the warmth, comfort, and pleasure it brings, instead of experiencing a lack of energy and concentration, depression and anxiety and a stagnation in all your activities.

Please, share your thoughts and feedback, send me your comments: irina@liveright.eu

Photo by Oliver Hihn on Unsplash

Flu Season – Lesson to learn!

It seems that the flu this season has been especially intense and many people I know have found themselves affected. If your influenza lasts 2-3 days, it is absolutely fine – simply a good boost to your immune system. However, if it lasts 2-3 weeks and possibly has some side effects, such as bacterial infection, this is not ideal at all. According to ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control), flu activity this season has reached the epidemic threshold in 8 European countries (Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, UK) and is still increasing in northern, southern and western Europe. (1)

Interestingly, even people with a good immune system have suffered more than usual from the flu this year. This information confirms that all of us, now more than ever, need to focus on supporting our immune systems. Some people choose the flu vaccination while others go for natural prevention and natural remedies. The choice is yours! However, even experts suggest that flu shots may only be 10% effective (2). If the flu vaccine is helpful, why are flu symptoms getting worse and why does the number of affected people keep growing all the time?

I, personally, am a huge believer that only by building and supporting the immune system with food, herbs, essential oils and quality supplements, can we achieve great and sustainable results. Especially when it comes to our dear children! Some kids have already lost their lives to the flu (3). How unimaginably devastating is this for parents and relatives?

So, what is the best way to protect our children and ourselves from this growing issue? How can we improve our immune systems effectively?

It is important to understand that THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORKS WELL WHEN OUR BODY IS BALANCED AND FUNCTIONS WELL, when our immune system doesn’t constantly need to be strained and battle against many different stressors. It means we need to control the level of stress in our lives, including the one caused by artificial light, EM pollution, processed food and our ecological and mental environment. Of course, FOOD PLAYS AN ENORMOUS ROLE IN SETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT AND IS ACTUALLY THE BEST NATURAL ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY RESOURCE. For example, garlic and onion, which have, for centuries, been known for their medicinal properties; oregano oil, which kills pathogenic bacteria and fungi without hurting beneficial bacteria; Manuka honey, which is famous for its antibacterial properties; green leafy vegetables, which are strong anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory products.

However, in addition to this, we need to make sure that our body receives and utilises all the nutrients from the food we eat. It is important to recognise that EVEN WHEN WE EAT VERY WELL; MANY OTHER FACTORS PLAY A ROLE IN THE DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION OF MICRONUTRIENTS FROM FOOD TO OUR BODY AND CAN DRAMATICALLY AFFECT THE NUMBER OF VITAL MOLECULES THAT ARE DELIVERED TO OUR CELLS. Factors like the health of our digestive system, the number of good bacteria in our gut, levels of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, food allergies and sensitivities, conditions of the liver as well as many others, need to be taken into consideration! So, how do you know if the food you consume actually provides you with all the micronutrients necessary for your immune system’s support? HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT IF YOU AND YOUR CHILD HAVE A SUFFICIENT MICRONUTRIENT BALANCE?

My advice: listen to your body, take note any symptoms and make a list! Here are some possible symptoms for you to consider and to then contact me about for discussion:

Irregular stool (constipation or diarrheal)
Bloating after eating
Dry, itchy, flaky skin
Adult acne
Red cheeks, ears
White spots on nails
Coated tongue
Lack of confidence
Foggy brain, lack of focusing
Night sweats
Sensitivity to alcohol, tobacco smoke, household chemicals

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, I am happy to offer you a FREE Discovery Session to discuss, advise and to provide you with an effective boost to your, and your children’s, immune systems. Please stay warm and contact me: irina@liveright.eu

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S POOP

I am continuing to talk to you about the principle clinical tests you should be aware of in order to properly help your children, and yourself, when necessary. Today we will be talking about stool and stool analysis.

As the festive season approaches many parents will have the chance to spend more time with their children. It is a great opportunity to have fun, play games, cook together and do so much more! However, it is also a great moment to better observe your children and to take note of their poop, especially if your children are young. In case you have teenagers, it is a good time to discuss this very important topic with them, if you have not done so before. Yes, by “this topic” I do mean the stool of your children. Maybe it is not a very glamorous subject, but it is definitely a very important one to be aware of. Stool is a very important physiological biomarker which shows how our body is functioning and if there are any possible problems we need to start thinking about.

Several times, I have come across people who follow a healthy way of eating and practice such eating habits in their family, but who still experience bloating, gases and abnormal bowel movements. This is especially typical among children. The frequency of such symptoms indicate that healthy eating means something different for each person and it is our responsibility to start to understand our own bodies better. We also need to help our children to develop this valuable life skill! Our body is the most valuable thing we have and we need to learn how to hear it and interpet the signs and signals through which it manifests its problems. How often, when you have a headache, do you actually think about what your headache means, instead of just taking a painkiller? Does it mean that you need some rest, fresh air, exercise, a little positive energy, water or food? Or perhaps it is indicating a certain toxicity level in your body and that your liver needs support and you need to change your lifestyle a bit? WHILE WE KEEP IGNORING OUR OWN “BODY LANGUAGE”, WE WILL KEEP SUFFERING FROM DIVERSE CHRONIC CONDITIONS!

Therefore, stool is an important marker to recognise! We need to monitor the regular bowel movements of our children and actually teach them how to pay attention to those signs as well.

VERY OFTEN CHILDREN CAN BE CONSTIPATED EVEN IF THEY POOP EVERY DAY. Because constipation is not only about the frequency of the stool, but also about its consistency. Ideally the consistency should be soft and not very formed. If your child does not produce very much poop, it means it is being held up for some reason, which can cause damage to the lower part of the GI tract (rectum) and can be a reason for bed wetting and urinary infections in girls. Abnormal stool consistency, colour and smell can be very indicative of a child having certain digestive issues that need to be addressed.

If your child is constipated or has diarrhoea, a few things need to be addressed. First of all, of course, is their diet and water intake. All pro-inflammatory processed food needs to be removed, whole food like vegetables and fruit need to be consumed in sufficient amounts (minimum 5-7 portions per day) and the water intake increased (1-1.5 L per day). However, if lifestyle changes do not resolve the stool issue, we need to look deeper. What other symptoms is the child manifesting? Bloating, belching, heartburn or any other stomach problems? To better understand the situation and to correctly address any possible dysboiosis, it is recommended to do a Comprehensive Stool Analysis Test.

What is this? A Comprehensive Stool Analysis Test is a clinical test that will analyse the stool for bacteria, yeast, viruses, fungus and parasites. It also looks for markers that demonstrate inflammation, the level of absorption of nutrients in the gut, production of short-chain fatty acids and much more. It is an excellent test that indicates the many possible reasons for abnormal stool and helps to identify the real causes of digestive issues that play an enormous role in the health of the whole body and brain.

Therefore, it is incredibly advisable to consider undergoing this test! And, the good news is, this test can also be done at home without going through the stress of traveling and visiting a laboratory, in a similar way to the Food Intolerance Test (https://liverighteu.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/why-you-may-consider-taking-a-food-intolerance-test/). Once the results have been revealed, a specific and very effective protocol can be suggested to deal with the identified microflora imbalance. This test definitely helps to identify any well-hidden pathogenic bacteria that can sometimes continue making the lives of our children uncomfortable for a long time, despite the many positive changes that have already been introduced.

Please contact me for more information and to book the test. You can also book the test directly via my website: https://www.liverightautismcoach.com/services

Why you may consider taking a food intolerance test!

Recently, I have been frequently asked about Food Intolerances. As a result, I have come to the realisation that many people do not have a very clear understanding of what Food Intolerances actually are, or of what role they play in our bodies and brains. Let us, therefore, discuss this topic and clarify the differences between allergies and intolerances.

First of all, Food Intolerances differ from Food Allergies. A food Allergy causes a specific immune reaction and is mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE). A Food Allergy is a response to food proteins, resulting from the body’s release of histamine that triggers a cascade of serious symptoms, such as flushing, itchy skin, wheezing, vomiting, throat swelling, and even anaphylaxis. These reactions can occur immediately following exposure to certain allergens. Obviously, such reactions can be life threatening, and it is very important to identify your personal allergens and minimise your exposure to them. It is also vital to learn how to recognise a severe allergic reaction and to know how to deal with it.

At the same time, a Food Intolerance is mediated by non-specific immune responses and is associated with immunoglobulin G (IgG), the body’s reflex to attack anything that is identified as foreign. The mechanism of Food Intolerances involves a release of inflammatory chemicals which then cause damage and inflammation in different tissues and organs. This can take place in any part of the body such as the gut; causing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms, in the joints; producing symptoms of arthritis, in the head; producing migraines, and so on. The symptoms of Food Intolerance generally take longer to materialise and they become noticeable several hours after ingesting the offending food. In some cases, symptoms may take up to 48 hours to appear and can remain for several days. This makes it very difficult to identify the real cause of the symptoms.

The effect of food-induced activation of the immune system can, initially, not be very obvious, but may become very serious over time. The continuous intake of food causing local micro-inflammation in the intestinal tissue, can spread the inflammation to other tissues and organs. Any system, for instance the nervous, hormonal and metabolic systems, can be affected and symptoms may vary considerably. This makes the whole situation complicated and the initial cause of the symptoms may be masked and difficult to identify.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT UNIDENTIFIED, HIDDEN FOOD INTOLERANCES CAUSE ONGOING INFLAMMATION IN THE BODY AND BRAIN.

In children, this inflammation disrupts information processing, interrupts reading and direction comprehension, and shortens the attention span. It also messes with neurotransmitters, which are responsible for emotional and behavioural responses, and is what leads to children’s inability to sit still and creates emotional outbursts.

Nowadays more and more people develop Food Intolerances, especially children with special educational needs and compromised immune systems. Therefore, it is very important to identify the hidden cause of inflammation that may be making your, and your children’s, life so much more difficult.

Furthermore, I have excellent news for you! THE FOOD INTOLERANCE TEST IS INCREDIBLY EASY TO DO! There is no need to go to any hospital or laboratory, you do not need to wait for your appointment in a waiting room and there is no need ti think of ways to entertain or occupy your child. You do not need to take time off from work and your child doesn’t need to miss school. You can simply do it at home at your own personal convenience! You can prepare your child slowly for this process, so that they are not afraid, so that they are aware of exactly what is happening and why. Then, once both you and your child are ready, you can perform the sample collection. All this means is pricking your child’s finger using a specially provided device and collecting four drops of blood on a special card. Once you are done, you simply send this card back to a laboratory, directly from your home. It is, therefore, an absolutely stress-free process! In two weeks’ time, you will receive results that will help resolve many of your child’s health issues and could very well be life changing.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should buy any tests online and do everything without any guidance! Be careful! Some tests are not very reliable and not very accurate. You could end up wasting your money and time, simply to get misleading results, which you will then try to implement in life. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ORDER THIS TEST FROM A GOOD CERTIFIED LABORATORY THROUGH A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL. Then, ideally, the results should be explained and interpreted by your practitioner. You should receive a clear, specific action plan based on your profile and personal circumstances.

This is why I would like to offer you my help and assistance with this process. I am working with the best laboratories and have extensive experience in dealing with the results of such tests. An IgG Food Intolerance test typically checks from 55-184 different foods and gives you a report as to how much chronic inflammation and adverse reaction particular foods cause upon consumption. The test delivers results as values of high, moderate, and low. After correctly avoiding the foods that cause high and moderate levels of reaction, and after following the gut-healing protocol, it is possible that up to 80% of Food Intolerances will disappear and that the avoided foods can be carefully introduced back into the diet. However, the price for this test varies from 200 to 300 Euros and, unfortunately, cannot be reimbursed by medical insurance.

So, if you or your child have any of the most common symptoms of food intolerance listed below, please consider doing the incredibly EASY Food Intolerance test. Please remember that this small investment could save you lots of time, money and, most importantly, HEALTH in the future!

List of symptoms associated with Food Intolerance:

Diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, IBS, reflux, stomach ache
Eczema, psoriasis, rashes, urticaria
Migraines, headaches, memory problems, mood swings, depression, ADHD, ASD
Cough, sinusitis, runny nose
Chronic fatigue, feeling under the weather, general lack of energy
Obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, inability to lose weight, weight loss
Stiff or sore joints, arthritis, tendonitis
Reduced immune status against viral infections, allergies, autoimmune disease

To conclude, in order to avoid any serious long-term conditions caused by hidden food intolerances, which may then complicate an already tricky health situation enormously and may have a hugely negative impact on academic performance, I would recommend performing this test and to follow sensible temporary diet recommendations based on the results.

Please contact me for more information and to book the test. You can also do it directly via my website: https://www.liverightautismcoach.com/services

5 TIPS FOR PARENTS FOR AN AUTISM-FRIENDLY SUMMER

The summer holidays are here and, of course, many of us are getting ready to have some fun, relax and meet lots of interesting people. However, for families with children with autism, summer can be a particularly challenging time. Keeping children on the spectrum busy and entertained during the holidays can be exhausting, expensive and stressful. As one mother said to me: “I wish my son’s school would work all year around without any holidays”. So, how can you make your holiday less stressful and more enjoyable? And what is an easy way for you to make the most of your time together and keep your child on the spectrum learning and further developing their skills? Here are my five tips for an AUTISM-FRIENDLY SUMMER.

Nature is the best therapist

Nature is a great healer for all of us but especially for children with autism who have many sensory issues. Spending more time in nature and getting away from the noises, smells and perhaps even electro-magnetic pollution of every day life, could be very calming and relaxing for your child. Leave all your electronic gadgets behind and just enjoy the real world! Stimulate your child’s curiosity and draw their attention to different plants, insects and birds. You may discover your child likes to draw or play with sticks or maybe create something with the flowers. All these activities improve sleep and normalise the day-night rhythm of hormones and, therefore, enhance overall health and behaviour.

Increase your child’s amount of “Vitamin G”

Allow your child to walk bare foot in the garden and along the beach as much as possible. Grounding is the best anti-oxidant to neutralise any free radicals in the body. If your child is not ready to walk with bare feet, they can begin by wearing socks. Grounding reduces stress, provides great support for the immune system and restores energy levels.

Experience new activities

The holidays are a great opportunity to explore what other possible activities your child may really enjoy doing. For example, you could try introducing them to different sports. Maybe you never had the chance to see if your little one likes horse-riding or even “horse-sitting”, which is more acceptable for some children with autism, at least to start with. Or, perhaps you never had the opportunity to try taking them to an art, music or drama class. Now is the perfect time to try just that and to see if your child enjoys themselves. It is very important to find an activity your child likes, as hobbies are definitely very therapeutic on many different levels.

Water therapy

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy water in whatever form and amount your child accepts. Even if it’s a quick dip in an inflatable pool or a simple paddle in the sea. Please keep in mind that I am not talking about a swimming pool with chlorinated water, but real, fresh water from a natural source. You could even let your child play under the warm rain or give them buckets to collect water that they can later splash about in. Water can be a sensational sensory integration experience and releases stress and tension.

Teach your child how to cook

Of course, summer is a great moment to have some fun and quality time in the kitchen and teach your child some basic, but essential, cooking skills. This is particularly beneficial because cooking addresses many important issues. When you teach your child with autism to cook, you also address their sensory issues, motor skill, ability to follow instructions, eating habits and social skills.

Just think about it, your child may well experience certain sensory challenges when faced with the different textures, smells and colours found in the kitchen. This is important to realise and prepare for. Avoid unpleasant sensations! Simply do not use products that posess any qualities your child doesn’t like. For example, if your child dislikes slimy textures, avoid giving them fish or a peeled boiled egg. Alternatively, you could suggest using gloves, which may actually resolve this particular issue.

Motor skills are very important and often under-addressed in children with autism. By engaging your child in the different steps of food preparation, you focus on their fine motor skills on different levels. You can help your child control the pressure of a knife when they are slicing a tomato or pealing an apple. They may produce big chunks to start with, but with time the presentation will improve.

Processing information and following instructions could be difficult for your child. That is why, it is a great idea to first discuss with them what you will be making together, draw a picture for each small step and, of course, include a nice illustration of the final product. You can even find special picture recipes for people with autism. What a great idea!

You can start by cooking something your child really likes to eat. The home-made version will always be better than the ready-made processed alternative you get in the supermarket. Then, when your child is engaged in the process, you could suggest a little experiment with other ingredients and explain why they might be better and tastier. This process is hugely educational about food and will lead to gradual changes in eating habits. You can progress as slowly as you like, but very often, at a certain stage, kids actually start to be more advanced than their parents. For example, one of my clients, a 16 years old boy with autism has developed a much more advanced taste for herbs and spices then his parents. His favourite dish is different types of home-made sausage, which he loves to make and cook with his mother. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Finally, cooking and sharing a meal with other people, decorating and serving it to the family is a fantastic way to develop the social skills of your child. They communicate with you while you cook together, then explain to the others what the meal is. Of course, listening to compliments and receiving lots of positive feedback will boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence enormously.

Therefore, LEARNING HOW TO COOK IS A LIFE SKILL; a technique for developing many other important abilities. This is the way to build your child’s independence and to help them discover a practical hobby that could possibly even, one day, become a profession. However, please remember that whatever the result of this exercise, it is perfect! Even if it doesn’t look like the meal on the picture you have. During this process, you must provide your child with support, but certainly not criticism. Always keep things positive!

So, my message for you today is: YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY CAN BE LESS STRESSFUL THAN YOU THINK! IT CAN EVEN BE VERY BENEFICIAL FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD!

Have a great holiday!

I look forward to receiving your ever-valuable questions, comments and feedback.

Please contact me at www.liveright.eu or email me at irina@liveright.eu.

Photo: http://www.epicurious.com/archive/everydaycooking/family/cooking-with-kids

« Previous Page