Magnesium is a vital macro mineral, one of four Kings amongst the mineral world. It can be a friend or foe, so consume with caution.
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A short cut for weight loss has been gradually growing at an unprecedented speed.  Injections appear to be a quick fix for individuals desperate to lose weight and despite the expense they are signing up, some without checking the pitfalls or side effects. The article below (hit the button) explains the pros and cons of weight loss injections.
Ozempic is one such injection.
Are we being cautious enough? Are we aware of the dangers or blindly administering a drug we know very little about?

Click the button to find out more.

An appointment with a Nutritionist could not only save you hundreds of pounds, but educate and provide long term results, rather than short term weight loss.
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BLOATED?  What could be to blame?
I see lots of patients complaining of stomach-ache, bloating, feeling tired, and some have bowel problems ranging from constipation to severe diarrhoea.  If we look at our heritage, our food's evolution has raced ahead of our own development, and this has affected our ability to digest our food.  Also, wider imports of tropical fruit and vegetables from far flung continents means we are at times eating foods outside our own culture all year round, so our fructose intake can rise exponentially.

Some diet regimens recommend eating larger volumes of fruit, leading to an increase in fructose and the above symptoms.  A trend for juicing and smoothies has also affected individuals trying to lead a healthier food lifestyle but triggering a host of symptoms because of the trends requirement for increased fructose.

Vegans and vegetarians will come to me complaining of bloating, and the large quantity of fruits they are eating can be the cause.  Also, some gym and lifestyle choices lead to juicing and smoothies as a quick go too food, but again this can lead to incredible discomfort.

An example of this is mango, a wonderful juicy fruit which can be used raw or cooked, and also dried.  It has gradually become more and more widely used and is seen on many menus now.  The problem is it is high in fructose, and some individuals have difficulty digesting this type of sugar. 

We are naturally designed to better digest glucose.  Our bodies do not have the dedicated means of absorption for fructose that glucose has, so this digestive difficulty means some fructose remains undigested in the large intestine, causing bacterial fermentation.  This fermentation leads to the production of gas (hydrogen, CO2 and methane as well as short chain fatty acids), bloating and for some people diarrhoea.  Osmotic diarrhoea can occur also due to the increased colonic sugar load.

Professor Whorwell from the University of Manchester says 'our bodies are not terribly good at digesting fructose, especially in the quantities we eat these days, with year-round access as well'.
Fructose malabsorption can go hand in hand with IBS, Crohn's disease and IBD (inflammatory Bowel Disease), and 'approximately 1/3rd of IBS sufferers will have fructose intolerance' (quoted Julie Thompson, Specialist Gastroenterology Dietician.)

Fructose connected to depression and low mood

Fructose malabsorption can also be linked too depression or low mood, as fructose has been associated with blocking the production of serotonin!  It's interesting to note that children's behaviour has been affected by fructose intake.   Fructose is used to sweeten many foods, and marketing and manufacture has made these very appealing and available to children, and behaviour changes have matched this increase.
Some fruit and vegetables are better tolerated than others, so random exclusion is not a good idea.  Exclusion should be properly managed to prevent further mal-absorption and mal-nutrition.

Glucose has been known to counteract the effects of fructose; however it must not be used as a preventative as glucose will have an effect on the metabolism and therefore could lead to the development of other disorders.
The FODMAP regimen has become a popular route to attempt to resolve fructose malabsorption symptoms.  This diet must be managed by a health professional and should only be followed for a period of up to 8 weeks.  It involves limited eating, through the exclusion of foods high in fructose, so long-term use could lead to malnutrition.

Here is a small sample of foods which are high in Fructose:
 
Apple
Pear
Red Pepper
Date
Fig Raisin
Apple Jam
Honey
Orange Marmalade
Berry Jams
Tinned Cranberries but not fresh
 
Sweeteners
Certain sweeteners can increase or decrease fructose intolerance and where these are often added to many foods, it is worth double-checking packages.
 
Not known to have an effect:
Stevia
Aspartame
Acesulfame K
Cyclamate
 
Sorbitol – Fructose intolerance increases
Glucose – Fructose intolerance decreases. 
Dextrose – Fructose intolerance decreases

Credit to the Clairmont Digestive Clinic for the information below.  This is a fantastic quick guide. 

B12 and Folate Deficiency can be mis-diagnosed or missed altogether as the symptoms are so varied and similar to other conditions such as depression, IBS, eczema, menopause, CFS.  A B12 blood test is a clear means of assessing whether deficiency actually exists.  There can be false negatives however, it's never simple it is.  So even if you have a negative result, there still could be underlying conditions related to B12 deficiency.

Limited eating such as vegan, fasting, smoothies, fussy eaters can all potentially develop B12 deficiency. 

Treatment is very effective and patients described feeling incredible.  How many of the boxes do you tick?

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long
Abdominal pain can often be associated with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and this can worsen as women's bodies change through the peri-menopause through to the menopause.

For some, the worsening of IBS can be very stressful and even debilitating. Symptoms overlap so it can be difficult to ascertain what is causing them. This is itself can be stressful, as you will read below,  stress (cortisol) can heighten the symptoms. Lifestyle changes and de-stressing is a good place to start when trying to reduce abdominal pain during menopause.
Cause and symptoms of abdominal pain in menopauseAs women’s oestrogen and progesterone levels reduce, some body processes are affected, including the digestion. Hyperplasia means an unusual increase in cellular growth, and with endometrial hyperplasia (the uterine lining) can overgrow, leading to abdominal pain and spotting.

When women supplement oestrogen and not progesterone, or they have a hormonal condition which means their oestrogen is unusually high, endometrial hyperplasia can develop. Other symptoms can include leg pain, increase in urination, constipation and backache. The use of phytoestrogens as supplements for oestrogen, for example soya, can be misplaced, as if there is a pre-existing endometrial hyperplasia, the phytoestrogens can worsen the condition.
Stress and abdominal pain - Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands. As cortisol levels fluctuate in line with life’s stresses and strains, oestrogen levels fluctuate as well. If too much cortisol is released, the digestive system can be affected, causing abdominal pain, discomfort and even diarrhoea. This is why some women experience digestive changes during their menstrual cycle, and this can worsen as they progress through peri-menopause through to the menopause.

What steps can you take to help alleviate the discomfort?

1.  Adjusting your diet and lifestyle can make a huge difference.

Try following a low-fat diet that contains plenty of high fibre vegetables and avoid saturated fats (solid at room temperature.) It's important to maintain a heathy balanced weight, avoid smoking and include at least three sessions of exercise in your week. 

2.  Hormones and supplements can help.

Remember to only introduce one at a time, and allow time for them to take effect. There is a tendency for people to saturate their body’s with multiple remedies, in the hope of help. The problem here is that they cannot tell which is effective. Individual introduction means you don't spend money unnecessarily, and you can also tell what works by monitoring changes in how you feel.

3. Hydration is extremely important for digestion.

Sip throughout the day and avoid too much caffeine. Two cups of coffee or tea is sufficient. Swap to water and herbal teas for the rest of day, or just plain water. If you struggle with water,  add sliced lemon, cucumber or mint leaves to add some flavour.

4.  Be happy.
Embrace the menopause as an opportunity to eat healthily,  exercise regularly and work towards a fit and healthy ageing process. Try relaxation using yoga, Tai Chi, massage, even quiet times at home. The menopause doesn't mean 'the end', it is simply a subtle change and a new sense of freedom.


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