Saying dietary protein intake is critical for longevity and quality of life seems dramatic. However, did you know we lose up to fifty per cent of our muscle mass between the ages of forty and eighty? However, protein is considered the most fundamental nutrient for animals and humans. This Free and Inspired radio episode on protein intake will help you assess your … [Read more...]
Article: Omega-3, Fish oil, Depression and your Mental Health
When talking about fish oil for mental health, especially depression, to my patients, I always refer to it as a “research merry-go-round.” One study will show it’s positive for mental health[1] and even for reducing mortality risk.[2] As the merry-go-round continues, there’ll be a contradictory study on mental health[3] that confuses patients and practitioners … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 37: Omega 3, fish oil and mental health
This Free and Inspired radio episode explores Omega-3, Fish oil, depression, and your mental health. Omega-3 intake and fish oil have had some confusing evidence for mental health over the years. One study will show it’s positive for mental health and even for reducing mortality risk. Then there’ll be a contradictory study on mental health that confuses patients and … [Read more...]
Article: The oral microbiome – A window to mental and digestive health?
The oral microbiome is a collection of bacterial colonies found in different parts of the mouth, including areas such as the teeth and the tonsils.[1] The oral microbiome is the second most diverse bacterial environment, only to the large intestine and the colon. In fact, the digestive tract and the mouth combined house around sixty per cent of the total bacteria in our … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 36: The oral microbiome and your digestive and mental health
The health of the oral microbiome can influence most of the common conditions we see in the brain, the gut and everything in between. For example, did you know that cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease are linked with your oral health? This Free and Inspired radio episode will explore the silent epidemic occurring “right under our noses.” Learn about how the … [Read more...]
Article: Appetite control – the ultimate gut and brain relationship.
Appetite control, or suppression as some refer to it, is a complex symbiosis of hormonal, environmental, behavioural and bacterial influences. Yep, I said bacterial. We’ll get to that in this article, don’t worry. Throughout my study years, working in health food shops, “appetite suppression” was definitely in the top two requests for help. What I said then is what … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 35: Uniting appetite control, your hormones and the gut.
Appetite control, or suppression as some refer to it, is a complex symbiosis of hormonal, environmental, behavioural and bacterial influences. Suppressing your appetite can be like going to the beach, kneeling at the ocean’s edge and trying to stop the waves from coming in. In this Free and Inspired radio episode, you can discover what we know about the dynamics of hunger … [Read more...]
Article: Meditation for mental health in 2022?
A question asked many times over the last decade is whether meditation is more effective than medication in managing your mental health and health in general. I put together a small workup about meditation’s role in the brain when taking some personal responsibility for stress. In that article, I promised I would do a deeper dive and feel the time is right, so here we … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 34: Meditation in 2022
Is meditation more effective than medication in managing your mental health and health in general in 2022? Lifestyle practices such as meditation are the cornerstone of taking control of your health. Systematic reviews on meditation have also found beneficial effects on anxiety, depression and chronic pain scores. Not only this, but physical effects are also … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 33: One dietary change can improve your executive function
How can one small dietary change immediately benefits your quality of life through the lens of your cognitive executive function? Click here to read the full article, or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite platform! In this Free and Inspired radio episode, learn about what executive functions are, how they relate to the quality of your day and … [Read more...]
Article: One diet change benefits executive function and quality of life.
Have you ever heard of executive function? It’s the term used to classify our most important cognitive abilities. These abilities include working memory, your ability to say no, flexibility, planning for a goal, reasoning and solving problems.[1] What does this mean in the real world? It’s many things we aspire to have when our health isn’t where we want it to be. For … [Read more...]
Article: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for mental health?
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a nutritional compound that seems beneficial for mental health and everything in between. Or at least that’s how the initial research presented. Let’s look into how it might help you. NAC, as it’s usually known, is a popular over-the-counter supplement and FDA-approved drug used for paracetamol overdose.[1] Interest in NAC’s use spans … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 32: NAC for mental health.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a nutritional compound that seems beneficial for mental health and a variety of other conditions such as fatty liver, PCOS and gut issues. This episode of Free and Inspired radio focuses on the role that NAC can play in some mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and addiction. NAC is an amino acid and has multiple actions in … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 31: A Beginner’s Guide to SIBO
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO as an acronym, is one of many modern ways of handling and, in some cases, explaining irritable bowel syndrome and its symptoms. In this Free and Inspired radio episode, get a beginner’s look at small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Some estimates have SIBO positive in up to seventy per cent of IBS cases. One study … [Read more...]
Article: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) – A Beginner’s Guide
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO as an acronym, is one of many modern ways of handling and, in some cases, explaining irritable bowel syndrome and its symptoms. A meta-analysis and systematic review (where researchers combine studies for better conclusions) brought together twenty-five separate studies confirming the link between IBS and SIBO.[1] Some … [Read more...]