Are you wondering about the signs of diabetes ? Is the information on the internet confusing.  I'm not surprised as there is so much out there, it can be overwhelmng.  Blood sugar management is vital to vibrant health and energy and the article below explains why and how we can manage our blood sugars more effectively.
Also if we manage our carbohydrates we can shift stubborn weight.  It is important to clarify what carbohydrates are and what their role is with our blood sugars.
​

1. Have you purchased a blood test from a laboratory or organisation?
2. Do you now need a Phlebotomist to carry out the test?.
3. We offer a blood testing service where you bring in your kit and we carry out the test ready for you to post off.
4. We offer a caring and sensitive service.
5. Needle sensitive or phobic patients are very welcome here, and ....... you're in safe, kind hands.

Email Victoria to ask questions or if you simply want to book.

[email protected]

#phlebotomist #blood #testing #allergy #homeopathy #private #clinic #faversham #canterbury #london #herne bay #dover #folkestone #kent #gillingham #rochester #maidstone #needle #phobia #nervous ​#weightlossinjections #weight #loss #injections #mournjaro #ozempic #fertility #bloodtester #faversham #kent #whitstable #hernebay #B12 #diabetes #candida #nutritionist #fatjab #Australia #perth #dietician #bloatedbelly #ibs #diarhoea #gassy #burping #oesophagitis #gaviscon #dangersofomeprazoe #adhd #

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?

#B12 #deficiency #folate #crohns #blood #test #FODMAP #fatigue #menopause #feeling #tired #energy #dip #diarrhoea #itch #skin #faversham #nutritionist #kent #apotheca #herbalist #whitstable #canterbury #london #clinic #dietician #weight #loss #PCOS #bloodtesting #phlebotomist #clinic folkestone #slimmingworld #weightwatchers #chatham #rochester #fasting #weightlossinjections #weight #loss #injections #mournjaro #ozempic #fertility #bloodtester #faversham #kent #whitstable #hernebay

Sadly, the Hythe Osteopath Centre closed, so I am now only working from Faversham. 

IBS Specialist Clinic
Nutritionist Clinic
Food Intolerance Testing

These services are available and can be booked by sending your details via the form below or telephoning: 07789512825 (please leave a message if the answerphone kicks in, I may be clinic).

Click on the button below to find out what will happen during your appointment.

BUCKWHEAT
 
This mis-understood grain is actually related to rhubarb, and has no connection with wheat at all. Originating from China, it found its way through Europe over the centuries.  It is a great gluten free alternative, can be purchased from the free from sections, and tastes similar to wholemeal wheat.
 
What are its benefits?

• Per dry 60g / equates to approx. 206 calories.
• It is rich in B2, B5, Folate, Niacin, iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium .
• 42g of carbohydrate but the high fibre content lowers both insulin response and blood sugars.
• Low in Fat.
• Regular consumption can lower total cholesterol which is great for heart health.
• Diabetic Friendly.
• The flour tastes very similar to wholemeal wheat, so can be used for all sorts of recipes as a simple substitute.

 
How can it be used?
 
Cook buckwheat grains in the same way as you would rice, and use to add variety to your diet.

Use it in soups, casseroles and even curries in the same way you would use lentils.  It adds substance’ to
sauces, so they are not thin and watery.

Buckwheat flour makes excellent crepes, pancakes for breakfast, cakes and breads.

Buckwheat flakes can be added to muesli as a wheat alternative.

Consultant Nutritionist & Food Intolerance Testing, Faversham 01795 534627

Diabetes – A Growing Epidemic

What is it ?
Diabetes is raised blood sugars (glucose).  There are two types of Diabetes;
Type I - which is where the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to control blood sugars.  Type I Diabetes is also known as insulin controlled diabetes as the patient has to use medication to introduce insulin to the body, to perform its role.  
Type 2 - the body’s cells can’t react to the insulin produced.

What does insulin do ?
Insulin is a vital hormone produced by the pancreas gland.  It acts as a vehicle, transporting glucose into our cells which in turn give us energy.   If we do not produce insulin the glucose (fuel) can’t be transported so we lack energy, and also the glucose will then remain in the blood stream to be reprocessed by the kidneys.
Interestingly, the high glucose in the urine will leach water from the bloodstream, hence the increased urination in diabetics, and the associated thirst.
The failure to assimilate glucose will lead to the body using other sources of energy eg. Fat cells, which produces Ketones.  These Ketones and the raised blood glucose will make an individual feel very unwell.
Blood glucose level stays between 3.5 mmol/L and 7 mmol/L.

What are the symptoms ?
Fatigue, extreme thirst, weight loss, muzzy headed, sweating, low mood, dizziness, tingling in the hands, increased urination.

So why do Diabetics gain weight, if the symptoms are weight loss ?
It’s all about balancing the books ………
We eat some food so our blood sugars, a Type I Diabetic injects insulin to do the job of the pancreas, and allow the body to use the glucose for energy.
BUT the patient has over-eaten and does not exercise.
The excess glucose will be converted and stored, leading to weight gain, which balances off the blood sugars again.
Also, the more body fat we produce, the more resistant to insulin we are, so it has to be tailored as we gain weight, which many patients don’t do, or health professionals overlook.
This weight gain and increased insulin resistant as a result causes a vicious circle, and as the weight goes up, so other health conditions evolve, for example:

Less exercise due to weight gain = increased insulin resistant = weight gain.
Joint problems = increased insulin resistant = weight gain.
Heart Disease = increased insulin resistant = weight gain.

Some patients manipulate their insulin to suit their food, so they can over-indulge, so the excess glucose is then stored as explained above.

Seems bleak doesn’t it, but it is all about choices really and balancing the books.  If you choose to be a victim of diabetes you could fall into the weight gain trap, or you can master the disease and manage your lifestyle and diet, to help prevent the above problems.
So, how do I keep healthy with diabetes and avoid the weight gain ?


http://euro-wabb.org/en/diabetes-information-all/hypoglycaemia
http://www.mayoclinic.org
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com

#Diabetes#Support#Diet#Faversham#Whitstable#Swale#blood#sugars#weight#loss#PCOS#nutritionist#dietician#intolerance#testing#kent#Dover#herbalist#apotheca#botox#healthy#eating#support#ibs#ibd#colitis#acid#reflux#hernia#

Are you facing Christmas with dread that your IBS symptoms may ruin your holiday or time with friends and family ?  I have listed some very simple tips to help you avoid a flare up:

Stay Calm – That may sound crazy, but anxiety and stress are huge triggers for IBS/IBD sufferers.  By managing your stress levels and allowing yourself to stop from time too time to recharge your batteries, you are actually reducing the likelihood of IBS symptoms.  Also Acid Relux, Diverticulitis and many other gastric problems can be helped.
Do Not Eat On The Go – As we rush around the shops, taxi the children about and then manage to fit in housework, Christmas shopping, job and social life, we forget a fundamental part of digestion.  For IBS spectrum sufferers, chewing is essential.  By making sure you do not swallow lumps of partially chewed food you are actually eliminating another trigger for a flare up.  Therefore, no matter how busy you are, chew your food so it is very mushed up.
Hydrate – Liquid consumption is, in my opinion, as important as food.  Remembering to drink as we go about our daily lives during the festive season, is essential.   We can become dehydrated very quickly, and this in turn can lead to constipation.  So you could have an excellent diet, and undermine the hard work with food, with poor hydration.  
Avoid peels, skins and pips – Fibre can be a friend or a foe for IBS sufferers.   To ensure you do everything you can to have a flare free festive season, peel your fruit, avoid the pips and leave the skins.  If you apply this rule literally, that would mean you avoid dried fruit, as it is very very difficult to peel !  The little capsules of fruit sugar are a potential trigger and we do tend to consume more during the Christmas season.
Be Happy – The happy hormones do create a happy gut.
'It is Just One !' – DO NOT DO IT – Do not compromise your health and fun, by saying ‘just one’.  Those naughty nibbles and yummy deserts could trigger an IBS flare up, so be strong.
Plan – Have some stand-by foods in your bag, so you do not get caught out.  Take some of your own breads or biscuits with you for example, and most of all, if you are eating out, do not be afraid to ask the staff for information.  Restaurants have to supply allergy and intolerance information now, and a quick glance at their guide could save you days of discomfort.

Please note IBS and other gastric symptoms all respond in different ways, so the guidance above is just that a guide, not a cure all.  To book an appointment for more information and to attend the IBS Specialist clinic please contact Victoria, 01795 534627.  or [email protected]


#IBS#IBD#Support#Nutritionist#Swale#Whitstable#Canterbury#Kent

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 diarhoea.  If we look at our heritage, our food's evolution has raced ahead of our own development, and this has effected 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.

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 dedicted means of absorption for fructose that glucose has, so this digestive difficulty means some fructose remains undigested in the large intestine, where it ferments.  This fermentation leads to the production of gas, bloating and for some people diarrhoea. 

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 malabsoroption 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 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 effected 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 in order to prevent further mal-absorption and mal-nutrition.

Written By Victoria Shorland, Consultant Nutritionist, Faversham, Kent, www.eattolive.org.uk, [email protected] or Telephone. 01795 534627 / 07789512825.

Could the Foods You Eat Be Making You Feel Unwell ?

‘Excluding Suspect Foods Can Cause Other Health Problems if Not Properly Managed.’

Eat To Live, run by Consultant Nutritionist Victoria Shorland, offers the opportunity to see a professional for advice relating to all sorts of health conditions, including gastric / bowel disorders, which are an area they specialise in.   Through correct management and simple changes an individual can see their symptoms subside, and health improve considerably.

Food Intolerance Testing and Allergy Clinics are also available. 

So let’s take a look at the difference between allergy and intolerance:
 
Allergy

An allergy is an extreme, sudden immune response such as swelling of the face, tongue, other limbs, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, palpitations and even organ failure.  This response is caused by IgE Anti-bodies being produced to fight off a particular ‘allergen’ which in some cases could be a food.  This is also known as anaphylaxis.   IgE (Immunoglobulin E) is the most common allergy form.  This is a sudden onset allergic reaction.

A very tiny amount of ‘trigger’ food or substance is needed to promote a reaction.

Food Intolerance

This is not the same as a food allergy.

Symptoms can be stomach cramps, dull aching in the lower abdomen, low mood, hyperactivity, lethargy, diarrhoea, constipation, diverticulitis, excessive gas, burping, acid reflux, rashes.  The causes vary from person to person and can be difficult to identify, which is why a Nutritionist should be consulted, and in some cases a food intolerance test carried out.

‘Foods should not be excluded without supervision from a Professional specialsing in diet, in order to prevent malnourishment, vitamin deficiencies, and other health problems.’

Histamine Intolerance is often missed as the symptoms are similar to other intolerances, also prolonged use of anti-histamines can trigger this, so if your hay fever symptoms have got worse, maybe you should look at a different angle #allergy #histamine #faversham #food #intolerance