PH: 0417 632 464
Ross Walter Nutritionist & Naturopath
  • About
  • Contact
  • Treatments
  • Seminars
  • Programs
  • Articles
  • Resources
  • Members
  • Partners
  • Mentoring
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • Pathology
  • Bookings

always read product labels before you buy!

21/1/2018

0 Comments

 
In the past couple of days I have been asked about a few different food products, to advise if they are actually ok, healthy or legitimate. Sadly none of them were...

By law, packaged food products must display an ingredients list (in decreasing order of weight), nutritional panel, and products are limited in what they can claim as healh benefits  of those foods.

In the past days or so I've reviewed a "diet" jelly product, only to find it contains 4 known additives (artificial sweeteners and colours) which have been proven to cause cancer and are banned in many countries, and other additives which can cause intolerances or allergies, hyperactivity in children, weight gain, diabetes, and other symptoms and conditions. Or bottled water, from China?! How on earth does this stuff actually get approved for sale?

Another product being widely marketed at the moment is a "cholesterol-lowering" breakfast cereal, claiming to reduce your cholesterol by 9%! Why? All of the quality independent research in the last 10+ years on cholesterol proves that having high cholesterol levels does NOT cause heart disease! In fact, the same research shows that the lower you cholesterol level is, the HIGHER your risk of death by heart disease. Our bodies NEED lots of cholesterol - without it you can't make your male or female hormones, you can't make vitamin D for good immune health or to reduce inflammation, and you can't make the walls of hundreds of millions of new cells every day to replace old or worn out cells. Your energy production will suffer, as will your brain function, heart function, and much more, without good cholesterol levels. A 9% drop in cholesterol isn't actually going to do much anyway, despite their hype. For example, a total cholesterol level of 5.0 will only be lowered by 0.45, or a level of 6 will be reduced to 5.46 - not really an amount to get excited about.

The marketing of the cholesterol lowering cereal is a bit dubious or misleading at best, when you read the fine print on the box or their website... which says: "2g of plant sterols daily lowers cholesterol within 4 weeks as part of a healthy diet low in saturated fat and sugar"! The key words here are "as part of a healthy diet low in sugar", as simply lowering your sugar intake on its own will lower your cholesterol! Having a healthy diet without any grain products will also lower cholesterol, but weetbix on its own (without other dietary changes) will actually increase bad cholesterol!

Dubious and toxic ingredients are not only found in your "food" products, but other products you use on a daily basis too - household cleaning products, shampoos, toothpastes, washing powders/liquids, and many, many more.

Hence it pays to read and understand the ingredients in all of your products which you might eat, use or be exposed to. For your foods, I use a free app on my phone called "Food Additives", or for chemicals in personal hygiene or cleaning products, a free app called "Think Dirty". There are other similar ones around. I highly recommend using such products and checking product labels BEFORE you buy them in the supermarket!

The more you are familiar with the chemicals which you put on and in your body, and avoid them, the better your health (and that of your family) will be! Or better yet, just buy more fresh, real, whole foods, which don't come with product labels - vegies, fruit, quality grass-fed meats and healthy fats!

Picture
0 Comments

No more codeine cough or pain medications

20/1/2018

0 Comments

 
In 2015, Australia's medicines regulatory body, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), announced that the over the counter cough and cold relief products and painkillers containing codeine would be rescheduled to require a doctor's prescription, and no longer be available over the counter.

This decision was made partly due to people abusing these products, but also due to the side effects of codeine – as some people can develop a dependence on it and causing addictions, and codeine becoming less effective over time and this can lead to higher doses and poisoning, digestive system conditions, and withdrawal symptoms if it stopped.

So on 1st February 2018, you won’t be able to buy products with codeine without a doctor’s prescription, that's if you can actually get in to see a doctor at short notice anyway.

Considering the side effects of codeine, should you be taking it (or any other pain killers) anyway? Or what else can you do?

Pain is a symptom of inflammation. It is you body telling you to STOP what is causing the inflammation, or to NOT use that part of your body so it can heal the damage. If you take pain killing medications, you are overriding and ignoring your body's safety signals so you can carry on doing what you normally do.

What can I (as a Nutritionist and Naturopath) do about reducing pain? Quite a lot! Because pain is inflammation, I first start with looking at your food intake, and to reduce inflammation-causing foods. This will reduce overall inflammation, and thus some pain and other symptoms too! I can also prescribe pain-killing and anti-inflammatory foods/nutrients and herbal medicines. There are many to choose from, and it can depend on your symptoms, and the location and severity of your pain.

Many of the common pain-killing pharmaceutical medications are based on plant extracts - aspirin from the bark of the willow tree, codeine (and morphine and oxycodone) from poppies, and many more. While the pain-killing compounds were initially found in plants, they are artificially synthesised in medications so the pharmaceutical company can patent the compound and make a huge profit! They can't patent a natural product! The issue with this is that medications have just one of the synthetic "active" ingredients from the plant, which unfortunately often causes side effects of the medication. In the real plant extracts, like in nutritional or herbal medicines, the many other active ingredients prevent those side effects, as all of the active ingredients are needed!

Are there some natural and safer alternatives to codeine and other coughing and pain-killing medications - yes! My clinic has a large selection of nutritional and herbal medicines which are proven to be effective in reducing coughing, pain and inflammation, and without the nasty side effects of the prescription medications. I have created a codeine-replacment liquid herbal mixture to reduce inflammation, reduce pain, and reduce nerve pain too.

If chronic pain, nerve pain or inflammation is an issue for you or someone you know, we can help with safer treatments!


Picture
0 Comments

What is MTHFR?

19/1/2018

1 Comment

 
What is MTHFR?! No, it isn't an acronym for something very rude, but for Methylene-TetraHydroFolate Reductase, which is a bit of a mouthful, so MTHFR is much easier!

MTHFR is a human gene, which codes for the production of an enzyme of the same name. The MTHFR enzyme is important for chemical reactions in the body involving vitamin B9 (also called "folate"). The enzyme converts the folate in your food (mainly in plant based foods) into the active form of folate which your body can then use.

Folate is important for many purposes - the synthesis of DNA and the production of new cells, for "methylation" reactions (such as turning on and off gene expression), for metabolising amino acids from proteins (for hormone and neurotransmitter production), for the production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, to turn off inflammation, for energy production, for critical detoxification functions, and many more functions.

The MTHFR gene and enzyme are especially important because mutations of this gene can have significant impacts on your health. Depending on which mutation of this gene you may have, of which there are 34 different ones, there are 2 main variants which can be tested for, because of their importance in your body.

Depending on the type of MTHFR mutation you may have, it can mean a 20% loss of function, or 40% or even up to a 70% loss of function to the MTHFR enzyme activity. This means that all of the uses of folate can be severely compromised. One of the biggest impacts of a MTHFR mutation is regarding detoxification of chemicals from the body. If your body cannot detoxify environmental toxins efficiently, this can cause a lot of chronic physical and mental health issues.

"Folic Acid", which is an artificially synthesised form of folate found in many vitamin and mineral supplements, is not the same thing as the natural folate. It doesn't have the same effects at all. But most importantly, IF you have the a MTHFR genetic mutation, you MUST NOT be taking any supplement with folic acid in it. Because your body cannot metabolise folic acid properly, folate levels in your blood and body can build up and reach toxic levels, and also inhibit the metabolism of natural folate. Some studies and researchers have suggested that even people without any MTHFR mutation should still avoid all supplements with folic acid in them. There are other forms of folate in supplements which are safer and more effective!

MTHFR mutations are common in people who have heart disease, glaucoma, many psychiatric or mental health conditions, some types of cancers, high levels of inflammation, infertility and recurrent miscarriages, autism spectrum disorders, and many other chronic health issues which don't seem to go away no matter what you do for them. If you suspect you may have a MTHFR mutation due to chronic health issues, you can get tested for this.

Testing for the MTHFR mutation can easily be done with a simple blood test. This test costs just $90, but can be very useful in helping you to achieve your health goals! If you have (or someone you know has) health issues which don't seem to be improving, despite being on a good treatment plan, then a MTHFR genetic mutation can often be the cause of this. Testing for the mutation can give peace of mind and the effects of the mutation can be greatly reduced as there are additional steps in a treatment plan which you may need to include. Please contact me or the clinic to arrange a MTHFR test!

Picture
1 Comment

    COPYRIGHT

    All articles here are Copyright (c) to Ross Walter Nutritionist & Naturopath (2015-2022). You are welcome to share these articles in your personal or business marketing, in full and referencing this website.
    If you wish to have specific health articles written for your business, please ask via email to [email protected]  

    Archives

    March 2025
    September 2024
    May 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    November 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All
    5:2 Diet
    Acidity
    Acne
    Acrylamide
    ADHD
    ADHD Medications
    ADHD Treatments
    Aged Care Home
    AIDS
    Alcohol
    Alkaline Food
    Allergies
    Aluminium
    Alzheimer's
    Anaemia
    Antibacterial
    Antibiotics
    Anti Inflammatories
    Anti-inflammatories
    Anxiety
    Aromatherapy
    Arsenic
    Artificial Sweeteners
    Atherosclerosis
    Autism
    Autoimmune Conditions
    Baby Powder
    Baking Soda
    Banned By Facebook
    Bipolar Disorder
    Blending
    Blood Clots
    Blood Glucose
    Blood Sugar
    Body Autonomy
    Bone Density
    Bowel Movement
    Bowels
    BPA Free Plastic
    BPA-free Plastic
    BPA Plastic
    BPS Plastic
    Burns
    Cacao
    Calcium
    Calories
    Cancer
    Cancer Education
    Cancer In Children
    Cancer Prevention
    Cancer Treatments
    Cannabis
    Carb Adapted
    Carbohydrates
    Carcinogens
    Causes
    Celebrity
    Censorship
    Cervical Cancer
    Chemicals
    Children's Health
    Chocolate
    Cholesterol
    Chronic Disease
    Chronic Fatigue
    Chronic Inflammation
    CICO
    Climate Change
    Clinical Trials
    Codeine
    Coeliac Disease
    Coffee
    Cold And Flu Prevention
    Common Cold
    Constipation
    Contraception
    Cooking
    Cookware
    Coronavirus
    Coronavirus Lockdowns
    Coronavirus Research
    Coronavirus Statistics
    Coronavirus Testing
    Coronavirus Tracking
    Coronavirus Vaccines
    Corporate Sponsorship
    COVID 19
    COVID-19
    COVID 19 Testing
    COVID-19 Testing
    COVID 19 Vaccine
    COVID-19 Vaccine
    COVID 19 Vax Issues
    COVID-19 Vax Issues
    Cravings
    DAA
    Dairy
    Dental Health
    Depression
    Detox
    Diabetes
    Dieting
    Dietitian
    Dietitians
    Digestive System
    Documentary Review
    Drug Regulators
    EAT Lancet Diet
    EAT-Lancet Diet
    EBV
    Eczema
    Eggs
    E Health
    E-health
    Elderly
    Endocrine Disruptors
    Endometriosis
    Endorsements
    Energy
    Enlarged Prostate
    Environmental Health
    Environmental Toxins
    Epstein-Barr Virus
    Essential Nutrients
    Essential Oils
    Evidence Based
    Exercise
    Farming
    Fast Food
    Fasting
    Fat Adapted
    Fatigue
    Fats
    Female Health
    Female Hormones
    Fermentation
    Fermented Foods
    Fertility
    Fibre
    Fibroids
    Fibromyalgia
    Film Review
    Fish Oil
    Fitness
    Flu
    Fluoride
    Flu Vaccine
    Folate
    Folic Acid
    Food Additives
    Food Allergies
    Food Containters
    Food Guidelines
    Food Industry
    Food Ingredients
    Food Intake
    Food Intolerances
    Food Labelling
    Food Labels
    Food Production
    Food Pyramid
    Food Sensitivities
    Food Star Rating
    Fracking
    Fructose
    Gardasil Vaccine
    Genetically Modified Foods
    Genetic Modification
    Genetics
    Genocide
    Germ Theory
    Glandular Fever
    Global Warming
    Glucose
    Gluten
    Gluten Free Food
    Gluten-free Food
    Glyphosate
    GMO
    Goals
    Government
    Grains
    Gut Bacteria
    Gut-brain Connection
    Gut Health
    Hand Washing
    Health Funds
    Health Information
    Health Insurance
    Health Myths
    Health Policy
    Health Star Ratings
    Health Statistics
    Healthy Fats
    Heartburn
    Heart Disease
    Heart Health
    Heavy Metals
    Herd Immunity
    High Blood Pressure
    HIV
    Hormonal Issues
    Hormone Disrupting
    Hormones
    HPV
    HPV Vaccine
    Hydroxychloroquine HCQ
    Hygiene
    Hypoxia
    IBS
    Immune Suppressives
    Immune System
    Indigestion
    Infections
    Infertility
    Inflammation
    Influenza
    Informed Consent
    Insomnia
    Insulin
    Iron Deficiency
    Irritable Bowel
    Juicing
    Ketogenic Diet
    LCHF
    Leaky Gut
    Liver
    Low Carb Diet
    Low Fat Diets
    Low GI
    Lung Disease
    Macronutrients
    Man Flu
    Manuka Honey
    Margarine
    Marketing
    Masks
    Meal Replacements
    Measles
    Meat
    Medical Corruption
    Medical Privacy
    Medical Records
    Medical Science
    Medical Testing
    Medications
    Medicinal Cannabis
    Melanoma
    Melatonin
    Men's Health
    Mental Health
    Mental Illness
    Microbiome
    Microwave Meals
    Microwaves
    Miscarriage
    MMR Vaccine
    Moderation
    Modern Diets
    Modern Medicine
    Monkeypox
    Motivation
    MRNA Vaccines
    MTHFR
    My Health Record
    Natural Therapies
    Naturopathy
    Nerve Damage
    Neuropathy
    New Years Resolutions
    NSAIDs
    Nursing Home
    Nutrient Deficiencies
    Nutrients
    Nutrient Toxicity
    Nutrigenomics
    Nutrition
    Nutritional Medicine
    Nutrition Guidelines
    Nutritionist
    Nutrition Research
    Obesity
    Oestrogen
    Oil
    Omega-3
    One World Diet
    Osteoporosis
    Oxidative Damage
    Pain
    Painkillers
    Paleo
    Pandemic
    Pap Smears
    Pathology Testing
    PCOS
    PCR Testing
    Personalised Consultations
    Pet Foods
    Pets
    Pharmaceuticals
    PH Of Food
    Plant Based Diets
    Plant-based Diets
    Plastic
    Plastic Bottles
    PMDD
    PMS
    Polyunsaturated Fats
    Poo
    Population Growth
    POTS
    PPI
    Preconception
    Pregnancy
    Primal
    Privacy
    Probiotics
    Processed Foods
    Psoriasis
    Pyrrole Disorder
    Red Meat
    Red Wine
    Reflux
    Research
    Respiratory Infections
    Resveratrol
    Reviews
    Rice
    Root Cause Analysis
    Root Causes
    Roundup
    Salt
    SARS
    Saturated Fat
    Schizophrenia
    Scientific Evidence
    Scientific Research
    SIBO
    Skin
    Skin Cancer
    Skin Conditions
    Sleep
    Smallpox
    Sore Throat
    Soy
    Soy Products
    Spike Protein
    Sports
    Sports Nutrition
    Spring
    Statistics
    Stevia
    Stomach Function
    Stress
    Sugar
    Sunburn
    Sunglasses
    Sunlight
    Sun Safe
    Sunscreens
    Talcum Powder
    TGA
    The Medical Model
    Thyroid
    Tonsillitis
    Tooth Decay
    Toxicity
    Toxins And Chemicals
    Treat The Causes
    Treat The Whole Body
    Type 1 Diabetes
    Type 2 Diabetes
    Ulcers
    Vaccination
    Vaccine Adverse Events
    Vaccine Passports
    Vaccine Research
    Vaccines
    Vaccine Safety
    Vaccine Testing
    Vegan
    Vegetables
    Viral Infections
    Virus
    Vitamin C
    Vitamin D
    Water
    Water Fluoridation
    Weight Gain
    Weight Loss
    Wheat
    Whole Grains
    Winter
    Winter Health
    Womens Health
    Would Healing
    Xenoestrogens
    Xeno-oestrogens
    Zinc

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly