Blog

General dietary tips

Eating a whole foods diet helps you feel better, look better and improves the function of your vital organs by supplying a range of essential nutrients. A whole foods diet includes an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains like brown rice, barley, quinoa and oats, beans and pulses, nuts and seeds, dairy products, fish, eggs, and lean poultry. Drinking pure water hydrates, cleanses, and energises your body.

Improving absorption of nutrients

Absolutely KEY!!!! Nutrient deficiency is very common in older women because of digestive imbalances and absorption problems. Eating bitter greens or taking a few drops of a bitter herbal tincture before a meal can stimulate the body’s own digestive juices which enhance absorption of vitamins and minerals in food. Supplements to consider: Apple cider vinegar, hydrochloric acid, digestive enzymes, and probiotics (healthy bacteria).

Processing medications

It’s essential to provide your gut and liver with the right raw materials — i.e., healthful foods and adequate nutrients — in order to properly process drugs. Proper digestion ensures proper drug uptake. To optimize digestion, chew food thoroughly, avoid liquids with meals, and vary your diet and eat real meals instead of grazing. The liver metabolizes most drugs- you can improve liver function by including liver foods like garlic, onions, leafy greens and beetroot in your diet. Herbs such as milk thistle and turmeric and vitamin B12 also help to support good liver function.

Inflammation and disease

Arthritis, gingivitis, hepatitis, diabetes, some types of cancer, heart disease, and many others are all conditions provoked by chronic inflammation. Causes of inflammation include saturated and trans fats found in fried foods, meat, cakes, sugar, artificial dyes and flavourings, air pollutants, pesticides, stress and others. Supplements to reduce inflammation include: Vitamin C with bioflavonoids and fish oils. Anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, oregano, rosemary, ginger, skullcap, and green tea are also helpful. Test for inflammation? CRP (C-reactive protein) blood test. If you have a high CRP, you are at greater risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s

According to a Columbia University study of 548 men and women, ages 67 to 96, over 40 percent were less disoriented and confused when they took vitamin B12 supplements. Phosphatidylserine, the one form of the amino acid serine, is a potent antioxidant and may improve mental changes like memory loss and senility. Ginkgo increases blood circulation to the brain and can be of benefit when taken at a dosage of 240mg for at least 3 months.

Osteoporosis

While declining bone mass is an inevitable part of aging, as many as half of all postmenopausal women suffer from osteoporosis or excessive bone loss. The good news is that frailty can be prevented and reversed. While many women take calcium supplements, it is necessary to consume adequate dietary or supplemental magnesium, boron and vitamin D to drive calcium into bones. Aim for 500-1000mg magnesium to 500 mg calcium.

Add protein to each meal, for a daily total of 45-50 grams of protein. A study of women in their 60’s and 70’s showed that those who ate the most protein had significantly better bone density than those who didn’t. Exercise is, without a doubt, the BEST thing you can do for healthy bones.

While walking swimming, dancing, cycling are good for heart and lungs, the best for protecting your bones is resistance exercises which are those that stress muscles where they attach to bones. Gardening tops the list! Must include carrying, digging, pushing, pulling, and kneeling for the winning combination.

Other resistance exercises include walking with arm weights or using latex resistance bands. Pilates and yoga are very good for improving balance which helps to prevent falls.

Arthritis

Glucosamine sulphate contains a substance that builds cartilage and stabilizes joints. It helps in doses of 1000 to 1500 mg per day. Glucosamine, however, is not the whole solution, nor are pain medications. It is important to look at sensitivities to certain foods- commonly nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers), as these may cause inflammation and therefore pain. To test food sensitivities, eliminate suspect foods entirely for two weeks and notice if pain improves. Then, add food back in and note any reactions (pain, tiredness, agitation).

MSM is a sulpher-containing substance that is a natural component of living organisms. It can also be taken in supplement form. MSM works as an anti- inflammatory and has pain-relieving effects. As a side note, MSM can be helpful for reducing pollen allergy symptoms.

Herbs that may help in reducing arthritic pain and inflammation include turmeric, boswellia, and ginger. The enzyme bromelain, when taken between meals, can also reduce inflammation.

Heart Disease and Stroke

Dietary changes make a big difference in preventing and reversing heart disease. Eat whole grains, protective fats (fish, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flax oil), and lots of fruit and vegetables. Three simple blood tests can help determine your present and future heart health. The tests measure levels of homocysteine, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen in the blood.

While many GPs check cholesterol levels, these tests are very useful. Homocysteine is an amino acid which in small quantities is safe, but in larger amounts can cause plaque in arteries and heart disease.

Certain vitamins like vitamin C, folic acid and B6 and B12 can help to lower homocysteine. Fresh produce (green leafy vegetables) containing all of these vitamins helps to “deactivate” homocysteine.

Friendly bacteria in the colon help reduce homocysteine so it is wise to eat plenty of plain yogurt and miso soup. High homocysteine also linked with arthritis and in theory, osteoporosis. C-reactive protein is a protein made in the liver that indicates inflammation, promotes inflammation and helps predict the risk for heart attacks.

A high CRP places you at 4 1⁄2 times greater risk for a heart attack than someone with normal CRP. Vitamin E may help CRP drop by 30%. Doctors give statins to women with high CRPs, and while they work to lower CRP, they have side effects such as dizziness, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, indigestion, and many others.

More importantly, statins reduce the levels of protective coenzyme Q10 in heart tissues. Always take 200-400 mg/day of supplemental coenzyme Q10 if you’re taking any statin. Fibrinogen is a protein made in the liver that’s part of our blood clotting system. As we age, the body may not make enough of the substance that keeps fibrinogen in balance. The higher the level, the more likely arteries are to become clogged leading to heart attack or stroke. High fibrinogen also contributes to varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.

Many doctors will put their patients on Coumadin, a blood thinner, if fibrinogen levels are high, especially if the person has had a previous stroke. The good news is that there are various natural ways to lower fibrinogen levels. These include exercise, fish oil, garlic, olive oil, a vegetarian diet, vitamin E, cayenne, bromelain (500mg twice daily between meals), and turmeric. Turmeric contains a substance called curcumin which turns on vitamin E and helps it to clean out arteries. As a caution, blood thinning supplements and drugs should be avoided for 2 weeks before surgery.

Eye problems

Cataracts are white, opaque blemishes on the normally transparent lens of the eye. They are caused by damage to the protein structure of the lens. Contributing factors include eye disease, injury or surgery, diabetes, exposure to toxins and/or UV light, and hereditary disease. Nutritional and herbal supplements have the potential to halt and possibly reverse early stage cataracts. Helpful supplements include the antioxidants A, C, E, selenium, and alpha-lipoic acid.

Macular degeneration is a condition involving progressive loss of vision and is the leading cause of severe vision loss in persons aged 55 and older. It occurs when the macula, the portion of the retina responsible for fine vision, develops abnormal lesions. Factors contributing to macular degeneration include smoking, aging, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Helpful natural supplements include L-Carnitine, zinc, ginkgo biloba, and Co Q10.

Indigestion

Indigestion is described as a feeling of fullness or gaseousness in the abdomen. The main factors contributing to indigestion include insufficient chewing of food, deficient or excessive stomach acid, reduced digestive enzyme production, and an imbalance in gut flora. These physiological changes occur due to aging, stress, poor dietary habits, and use of the following drugs: antibiotics, corticosteroids, antacids, and acid- blocking drugs. Supplements that may be helpful include apple cider vinegar, digestive enzymes, probiotics.

Immune support

The immune system is one of the most important and hardest working systems in your body. To keep the immune system strong I recommend getting adequate rest (including 7-8 hours of sleep per night) and drinking plenty of pure water. Try to eat mainly whole grains, vegetables, fruit, beans, fish and chicken, and broths. Avoid sugary foods (impairs immune function) and large amounts of dairy (mucous forming). Immune-boosting natural supplements include vitamins A, C, and E and minerals zinc and selenium. Immune support herbs include elderberry, echinacea, goldenseal, astragalas, garlic, ginger, and medicinal mushrooms.

Insomnia

It is important to look for and rectify potential causes for lack of sleep. Stress, your sleep environment (mattress, room temperature, pillow, and darkness), caffeine intake, and new medications can all affect quality of sleep. If there are no obvious causes, supplements such as L- theanine, valerian, hops, passionflower, and chamomile can help to calm and produce more restful sleep. Avoid B-complex (especially B6) after 5pm as it increase energy and produce vivid dreams which may interfere with sleep.

The term Menopause means to stop menstruation. A woman is deemed in ‘menopause’ when there has been no menstrual period for 12 months.

The average age is estimated to be between 50 and 52. Peri-menopause, the period of time before menopause, occurs on average at 47 years and lasts 4 – 5 years.

During perimenopause the number of eggs reaches very low levels from 1-2 million at birth to a few thousand. The menstrual cycle shortens. The levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in the body increase. Ovarian production of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone decrease with the onset of true menopause.

Signs and symptoms of decreased hormone levels in peri-menopausal women are varied and unpredictable, these include:

Symptoms

• Menstrual irregularities: This is normal and natural. A woman can bleed less or more often and can switch back and forth, go shorter or longer, heavier or lighter. Treatment comes into play when there is too much blood loss.
• Hot flushes: 75% of women experience hot flushes and 15% are severely affected. The occurrence is highest in the 1st 2 years post menopause. In some women it lasts for 5 – 10 years. Frequency varies from every hour to several episodes a year. The clearest explanation is they appear to be the body’s response to a sudden transient downward re- setting of the body’s thermostat, located in the hypothalamus. The primary problem for many women with hot flashes is sleep disturbance.
• Vaginal dryness and thinning: Vaginal dryness, vaginal thinning usually do not become troublesome until several years after menopause. Estrogen is responsible for the thickened elastic, lubricated tissue of the vagina and vulva. When estrogen declines the vulva loses its collagen, fat and water retaining ability. The vagina shortens and narrows; it becomes flattened thin and dry in 2 out of 3 women.
• Skin changes: Lowered estrogen may result in less collagen and elasticity, dry eyes, dryness, wrinkling, hair thinning, acne (due to increased free testosterone); receding gums
• Fatigue
• Decreased Libido: At menopause the ovaries continue to secrete androgens – mainly testosterone and androstenedione. A woman’s total estrogen production decreases by 70 – 80 % while androgen production decreases by 50%. Total testosterone is reduced. The ovaries, however, do continue to produce a significant amount of estrogen and androgens. Most but not all sexual problems in postmenopausal women are related to estrogen loss to the genitals. At least 86% of postmenopausal women experience some form of decreased libido. Testosterone plays an important role.
• Mood swings; depression; anxiety: Mostly correlated with peri-menopause; depression was higher for women who remained in perimenopause for at least 27 months – it is considered transient and as women move through post menopause, their rates of depression decline.
• Changes in memory and cognition: Short-term memory impairment is a common cognitive change in women with natural menopause. Difficulty concentrating, memory decline and lack of mental clarity are worsened by difficulty sleeping and sleep interruptions.
• Sleep disturbances: Insomnia can be due to anxiety, sleep apnea, medications, and bad habits. Neurotransmitter and hormonal changes in the brain during peri and menopause may also cause sleep issues.
• Hair loss on the head, hair growth on the face, acne: Women can have individual sensitivities to androgens. Some women only react to very high levels, while other are sensitive to normal levels. Acne is always triggered by androgens, excessive hair growth occurs in areas where hair follicles are the most androgen sensitive –face, chin, skin under jaw, upper sideburn area and cheeks. Thinning of the hair is the most common on the top of the crown. Saw Palmetto, & nettle root or seed (DHT inhibitors) works well for women experiencing an over expression of androgens.
• Palpitations: These are usually hot flush related.
• Headaches: If a woman has a history of menstrual migraine, these can get worse in peri-menopause.
• Urinary tract infections: Less estrogen is delivered to urogenital tissue which can lead to less elasticity, less lubrication, itching/ burning, more leakage and bladder infections. There is also more narrowing of the vagina and penetration can be painful.
• Joint pains: Frozen shoulder more common in menopause.
• Weight gain: The lowering of estrogen can lead to insulin resistance which can result in weight gain. Also, as we get older, the metabolism slows and there tends to be a loss of muscle mass, which again leads to weight gain.

Treatments

Conventional Hormone Replacement Therapy benefits:

• Reduces symptoms of menopause
• Reduces risk of osteoporosis, if at risk for excessive bone loss

Hormone Replacement Therapy risks:

• Slight increased risk of breast cancer
• Increased risk of gallbladder disease, dementia
• Increased incidence of heart attack, stroke, blood clots in first 1-2 years of use
• Increased risk of urinary frequency and incontinence in the first year of use

Naturopathic/alternative therapies:

• Balanced diet: Eat at least 3 meals per day. Eat protein with each meal. Consume a low sugar and refined carbohydrate diet. Eat 5+ servings of different coloured fruit and vegetables per day. Include healthy fats like fish, nuts, and avocados in diet. Reduce saturated and trans-fats in diet (red meat, fried foods, margarine).
• Soy: phytoestrogenic effects
• Phytoestrogens act between 100 & 1000X weaker than real estrogens. They act as agonists and antagonists by occupying receptor cites on the cell for estrogens – when estrogens are too low they help boost lower levels when they are too high they block the over-expression of estrogens.
  • Reduces menopausal symptoms
  • Reduces cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides
  • In a diet with high phytoestrogens using soy and flax seeds – the best reductionsin menopausal symptoms were in hot flashes and vaginal dryness. A diet containing 76mg of isoflavones in 12 weeks showed a 26% drop in hot flashes in 3 weeks, a 33% drop in 4 weeks and a 45% drop in 12 weeks. The range of
  • Isoflavones should be in the range of 50mg a day.
  • May reduce risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and osteoporosis
  • In fact, 3 major studies in the last 5 years (it’s now 2015) have shown that soy isSAFE and beneficial in breast cancer patients and survivors.
    Dose: 160 mg of soy isoflavones per day
    *200 mg of isoflavones is approximately equivalent to 0.3 mg of conjugated equine estrogens (half-strength Premarin)
  • Other phytoestrogenic foods: oats, barley , flaxseeds, alfalfa, almonds, lentils

Recipes

Roasted soynuts

Soak soybeans 12-24 hours; boil 10 minutes; sprinkle with salt or soy sauce; single layer on flat baking sheet in 170 Celsius oven for 20-30 minutes, checking regularly until golden in colour.

Marinated tofu

Mix together: 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tsp. grated ginger, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tsp. honey or maple syrup, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil. Pour over 1 block of cubed, firm tofu. Allow to marinate 1-12 hours. Great in stir fries or in salads!

Exercise: 30 minutes a day may decrease symptoms by 25%. Vary activities: aerobic, strength, flexibility.

Behavioural factors

• Quit smoking
• Decrease or eliminate alcohol and caffeine
• Stress management
• Get quality, consistent sleep
• Body, mind, spirit connections

Therapeutic nutrition

• Vitamin B6- depression, insomnia, irritability; Is an important B-Vitamin involved with the metabolism of proteins, neurotransmitters and hormones, an insufficiency of B-6 may cause insomnia and irritability; aim for 50-200mg a day.
• Vitamin E- topical; vaginal dryness
• Evening Primrose oil – effective for relieving breast pain, but not hot flushes.
• Gamma oryzanol (ferulic acid) – hot flashes, helps decrease cholesterol levels; Gamma Oryzanol – 100mg. taken 3x a day. Gamma Oryzanol is derived from rice bran oil the compound Ferulic Acid found in gamma oryzanol has been found useful in relieving menopausal hot flashes. 67% of the women taking it had a 50% or greater improvement in their menopausal symptoms. In a later study 85% of the women found it effective. However, in practice, Tori Hudson has not found it very effective for hot flushes.
• Fish oils: for hot flushes and depression; one capsule, 3 times daily (350mg EPA/ 50 mg DHA); in a study of 120 women taking this for 8 weeks, hot flush frequency reduced by 55%

Botanical medicine

• Black Cohosh: Can help to decrease hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Daily use of the standardized extract is 2 – 40mg. caps 2X a day. The results should be evident within 2 to 4 weeks. – Clinical studies show it helps with hot flashes, depression and vaginal atrophy. Black Cohosh appears to suppress the secretion of pituitary hormone LH but does not affect prolactin & FSH. Used in Germany since the 1940’s a big German study with 629 women – clear improvement was seen in 80% of the women after 6 to 8 weeks. Complete disappearance of symptoms occurred in 50%. In another study and estrogen like stimulation of the vaginal mucosa happened in 4 weeks. Black Cohosh should not be considered a substitute for the prevention of osteoporosis and heart disease. It is considered safe for women with a history of hormone dependent cancers and a safe and appropriate treatment for hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings and vaginal dryness. Side effects: stomach upset, headaches, heaviness in legs. Safe for women with a history of cancer, endometriosis, liver/ gallbladder disease, or fibroids.
• Dong Quai: Can help to decrease hot flashes. Best when used in combination with other herbs. Contraindications: can increase heavy or frequent menses.
• Chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus): Used to regulate the menstrual cycle. Needs to be taken for at least 12 weeks. Chaste Berry (Vitex) – Used more before menopause than after. Chasteberry is the most important herb to normalize and regulate the menstrual cycle. It’s effect is on the hypothalamus – hypophysis axis one of the mechanisms is it increases secretion of LH and also has an effect that favors progesterone. It can benefit irregular bleeding. Contraindications: Should not be taken in conjunction with HRT, progesterone, or birth control pills.
• Red clover: Used for hot flashes. Contraindications: Should not be used in women with a history of breast or uterine cancer.
• Gingko biloba: Improves circulation, mental clarity, concentration, and memory. Works best when taken at least 12 weeks. Caution when on blood thinning medications.
• Panax ginseng: Can help decrease fatigue and stress. Contraindications: Should not be used with excessive caffeine- stimulant.
• St. John’s Wort: Helpful for depression and anxiety. Contraindications: Should not be taken for severe depression. Side effects: Sensitivity to the sun if taken in large amounts.
• Rhodiola: Good for memory, depression, low energy.
• Maca: (good for flushes, low libido and fatigue), pine bark, kava, kudzu, Hops, Siberic Rhubarb

Tori Hudson, ND has found the following herbal combos very helpful:

1. Depression + hot flushes: Black cohosh OR Maca and St. John’s wort
2. Hot flushes, mood changes, and cyclic PMT symptoms: St. John’s wort, Vitex agnus castus, B6 and Calcium
3. Fatigue, low libido, hot flushes, irregular menses, poor sleep, vaginal dryness: Maca, valerian, 5HTP, vaginal estrogen
4. Hot flashes in 60 year old breast cancer survivor: Black cohosh and pine bark extract or gamma oryzanol (Maca and siberic rhubarb are iffy safety-wise.)
5. Depression and low libido: St. John’s wort, Maca
6. Decreased sexual desire in perimenopausal woman: Maca and maybe DHEA if salivary test show she is low

Cardiovascular disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Screening for heart disease includes blood pressure checks at least once every 2 years, and cholesterol testing beginning at age 45 and repeated every 5 years.

Cardiovascular disease prevention

• Stop smoking- it’s the greatest risk factor in heart disease
• Achieve healthy body weight
• Small-moderate amount of wine
• Exercise 30 minutes a day- sedentary women are 3 times more likely to die of heartattacks than active women
• High fibre, low fat diet
• Fish oils or fish in diet
• Antioxidants and other vitamins
• Herbs and other supplements
• Consult health care provider to develop plan

Osteoporosis risk factors

• Personal history of fracture as and adult or and adult fracture in an immediate family member
• Current cigarette smoking
• Low body weight (less than 135 pounds)
• Certain drugs (corticosteroids, lithium, check with your GP)

Osteoporosis prevention

• Weight bearing exercise
• Foods for Bone Health – Peak bone mass occurs at the age of 35 – 40 in caucasionwomen. One of the best dietary preventative habits is to eat a lot of dark leafy greens – kale, collards, romaine lettuce, spinach, swiss chard are a rich source of vitamins, minerals (such as magnesium), vit K and boron both of which are essential for bone formation and development. Low fat dairy especially yogurt and kefir, baked beans, soy, sesame, salmon, sardines, tofu and amaranth.
• Calcium- 1200 mg elemental calcium per day; Magnesium- 750 mg per day
• Vitamin D- 200-400 IU per day
• Avoid excess caffeine, alcohol, soft drinks- these decrease calcium absorption
• Exercise + calcium+ vitamin D can reduce fractures by 30%

Fatigue (lack of energy; overall tiredness or weariness) is the number one complaint that GPs hear from their patients.

Contributing causes

• Poor nutrition
• Sleep problems
• Pain
• Depression/ melancholy moods
• Low thyroid function
• Adrenal gland dysfunction
• Chronic low-grade infection (teeth, hepatitis, glandular fever) o
• Allergy
• Low iron (anaemia) and iron stores (ferritin)
• Anaemia due to B12/ folic acid deficiency
• Systemic candida
• Blood sugar imbalances (diabetes, hypoglycaemia)
• Heart or lung problems
• Stress and/ or anxiety
• Drugs (caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives)

Testing

• Questionnaires (adrenal, thyroid symptom list, candida)
•  Basal body temperature charting- persistent low body temperatures first thing upon waking often indicates low thyroid function.
•  Saliva testing for cortisol and DHEA levels (adrenal function)
• Blood tests to rule in/ out…
  • anaemia
  • thyroid problems
  • diabetes
  • infection
  • nutrient deficiencies

Treatment considerations

• Adrenal fatigue: adrenal glandulars, licorice, rhodiola, Siberian ginseng, vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, Celtic sea salt, DHEA
• *Hypothyroidism: thyroid hormone, iodine, L-tyrosine, zinc, selenium, magnesium vitamin D, iron (if deficient) *Thyroid Patient Advocacy UK website is a GOLDMINE for information on hypothyroidism
• Candida: low sugar diet, herbal antifungals (Oregon grape root, oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, garlic, caprylic acid), probiotic
• Anaemia: ferrous sulphate or gluconate iron taken with vitamin C (iron deficiency anaemia); B12 in form of methylcobalmin and folic acid (pernicious anaemia)
• Blood sugar imbalances: Low GL diet; protein with every meal; chromium; cinnamon
• Poor nutrition: whole foods diet (whole grains, organic dairy/ live yogurt, meats/ fish or beans, eggs, fruits, vegetables, non-processed, non-packaged foods, nuts and seeds, fresh juicing); bitter foods/herbs to stimulate digestive juices
• Sleep disturbance: passionflower, valerian, wild lettuce, GABA, melatonin, 5- HTP, magnesium, avoid caffeine, balance female, adrenal and/or thyroid hormones,
• Infection: use antiviral/ antibacterial herbs or prescription antimicrobials when necessary, antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium), avoid sugar
• Pain: natural anti-inflammatories like ginger, bromelain, and turmeric; bromelain, MSM; long-term, need to deal with source of pain, rather than just covering up the symptom
• Stress: herbal nervines (wild lettuce, passionflower, motherwort), magnesium, B complex, exercise, good sleep routine

Resources

1. Adrenal Fatigue by James L. Wilson, ND; copyright 2001
2. From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum, MD; copyright 2001
3. Overcoming Thyroid Disorders by David Brownstein, MD; 2nd ed. Copyright 2008
4. Your Thyroid and How to keep it Healthy by Dr. Barry Durrant-Peatfield; copyright 2006

If you’ve had a recent cancer diagnosis, there are many nutritional and lifestyle strategies that can help. More and more studies are showing that natural therapies can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation and also decrease the side effects of these treatments. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology showed that women diagnosed with breast cancer who started eating 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily plus exercising for 30 minutes six times per week were 45% more likely to survive for 10 years than women who didn’t make those changes. ((Pierce, JP. Greater survival after breast cancer in physically active women with high vegetable-fruit intake regardless of obesity. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Jun 10;25(17):2345-51.))

Dr. Sally has worked with many clients who chose to utilise natural support strategies alongside conventional cancer treatment. Clients have felt empowered knowing that simple modifications can make a big difference in their health outcomes. By implementing specific dietary additions and nutritional supplements, clients have helped their bodies use the chemotherapy more efficiently, detoxify more quickly, and support systems like digestion and immune function, which promote a successful recovery. Sally can design a support plan specifically tailored for you, taking into account your specific type of cancer and the conventional treatments you are being offered. Her goal is to work alongside your oncology team, with safety being of upmost importance. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation or finding out more, please phone or email Sally to discuss your individual situation.

If you are worried about a family predisposition or genetic link with a particular type of cancer, be encouraged to know that there are many dietary and lifestyle strategies which can help you.  Research evidence estimates that 42% of cancer cases each year in the UK are linked to a combination of 14 major lifestyle and other factors. ((Parkin DM, Boyd L, Walker LC. The fraction of cancer attributable to lifestyle and environmental factors in the UK in 2010. Summary and conclusions. Br J Cancer 2011;105 (S2):S77-S81.))

By understanding those cancer-promoting factors and starting to incorporate anti-cancer strategies, you will not only be reducing your cancer risk for the future, but you will most likely feel healthier, more energetic, and happier in the meantime!  Dr. Sally can design a health plan specifically tailored for you to reduce your cancer risks. Please phone or email the clinic for more information or to arrange a consultation.