Blog – Page 3 – Integrative Health Education

Regarding bacteriology and bacterial pathogens

Written by IHE on May 29, 2015. Posted in Blog, Parasitology. Leave a Comment

In observations of many (Parasitology Center, Inc. (PCI) patients over the years, we noted that many people experienced gastrointestinal symptoms but no parasites were detected from fecal samples provided. These cases were explained as possibly relating to “other pathogenic organisms, ex., pathogenic bacteria, that can cause symptoms comparable to those produced by typical parasites.”

In our cross-sectional study of 5,792 fecal specimens from 2,896 patients in 48 states and the District of Columbia, 32% were found positive for protozoan and helminth parasites during the year 2000. This prevalence rate was consistent in a number of subsequent PCI studies. The most common parasites, in order of prevalence, were Blastocystis hominis, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Entamoeba spp.

A sizable proportion of patients without infections, nevertheless, exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms, including but not limited to, diarrhea, constipation and abdominal cramps, similar to those observed in patients infected with parasites. Those patients were unaccounted for in terms of causation. We later verified the original assumption of involvement of other infections, documented the identity of bacterial agents involved in the gastrointestinal symptomology in patients proven to have had no intestinal parasites, and provided the results of sensitivity and resistance tests for treatment purposes.

The gastrointestinal symptoms in those parasite free patients can now be explained by the pathogenic bacteria documented for each case, including but not limited to, E. coli, Klebsiella spp. Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp. Serratia spp., Citrobacter spp., and H. pylori, among others. Other studies show that IBS associated with abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea is caused by pathogenic intestinal bacteria. Associated skin manifestations may show infections with various species of Staphylococcus, among other cutaneous bacterial infections.

Dr Amin’s latest article on bacteriology and bacterial pathogens, published in the Journal of Bacteriology and Parasitology can be read here.

Exclusive seminars from world-leading parasitology professor
Dr Amin will be discussing bacteriology and bacterial pathogens in more detail at the Understanding Parasites seminar series, hosted exclusively by PCI Europe and Integrative Health Education.

Understanding Parasites
4th – 5th July 2015
Honourable Artillery Company, London
Two day ticket: £125
Single day ticket: £80
www.integrativehealth.co.uk
Email: courses@integrativehealth.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1924 242 851

Regarding Neurocutaneous Syndrome (NCS) and Morgellons Diseases

Written by IHE on May 29, 2015. Posted in Blog, Parasitology. Leave a Comment

There is ample literature describing the reported symptoms of delusional parasitosis (related to Morgellons) cases that characterise patients as psychiatric patients. Judging by our experience with over 1000 “delusionary” patients that we have seen at the Parasitology Center, Inc. (PCI) in Arizona over the last few years, however, the above reported “delusionary” cases appear to be cases of Neuro-cutaneous Syndrome (NCS).

NCS is a toxicity disorder related to Morgellons disease, caused mostly by intimate exposure to incompatible chemicals, especially dental materials. Other toxic exposures are occasionally involved. Proponents of the delusional parasitosis convention do not appear to have stopped to ask the following question: what if the main symptoms of crawling and pin-pricking declared by “delusional” patients are real; just misinterpreted as parasite movement. We have asked that question, and during 15 years of research, we have come up with an alternative explanation that works.

We have concluded that the symptoms of crawling and pin-pricking confused with “delusionary parasitosis” are caused by toxicity from exposure to chemicals incompatible with the host immune system, for example, dental materials that alter the propagation of normal nerve impulses. We also conclude that external parasites/organisms including springtails (Collembola), other arthropods, bacteria, and fungi represent only opportunistic infections of skin sites compromised by the toxicity disorder involving the elimination of toxins through the skin.

We have described a new pathological disorder, Neuro-cutaneous Syndrome (NCS) to which justified “delusional parasitosis” and Morgellons disease cases could be assigned. We have developed a protocol for the resolution of the symptoms of NCS cases. When followed to the letter, all symptoms of NCS, conventionally and conveniently called delusional parasitosis, are invariably and irreversibly resolved.

Dr Amin’s most recent article on NCS, published in Clinical Microbiology & Case Reports can be read here.

Exclusive seminars from world-leading parasitology professor
Dr Amin will be discussing Neurocutaneous Syndrome (NCS) and Morgellons Disease in more detail at the Understanding Parasites seminar series, hosted exclusively by PCI Europe and Integrative Health Education.

Perspectives on Parasitology

Written by IHE on May 29, 2015. Posted in Blog, Parasitology. Leave a Comment

A series of articles by Omar M. Amin, M. Sc., Ph. D., D. N. M.

Relationships in parasitology and gestalt¹

My personal perspectives about parasitology are not much different to my perspectives on jogging, swimming, painting, playing music and writing. It is always a journey or hobby that brings meditative inner-consciousness together with correct action.

Recognising the temporal and spatial relationships between parasitic infections and physical and psychological trauma is parasitology viewed through a “gestaltic perspective”. Those relationships may, in many cases, be operative at the sub-clinical level since early childhood years. Progressive or sudden overt disease may occur later on in life. The reactivation of infection is usually associated with depressed immune status. Age, hormonal changes and physical or psychological stresses are important contributors to immune system suppression. Compromised immunity in adults renders the body wide open for many opportunistic infections that may become established in the adult stage and not only during earlier years of life.

Inter-relationships of this nature have not been the usual preoccupation of the traditional scientific or academic community. Rare exceptions, however, exist. The impact of major parasitic diseases on the immune system, as well as the subsequent effects of the latter on other parasitic infections, have been recently considered by Kirszenbaum (Parasitic Infections And The Immune System). Short term studies on the direct impact of acute parasitic infections on human or animal health are, however, more frequently reported in the literature. In addition, the inter-relationship between host immune system and concurrent parasitic infections needs to be more seriously considered. For instance, suppressed cell mediated immunity in patients with invasive amebiasis makes it possible for the opportunistic Candida albicans to develop frequently in those patients.

My particular interest in “holistic parasitology” is one facet of my overall philosophy on relationships which has its roots in Zen Buddhism. We have come of late to recognise that it is not the nature of the beast that matters but rather how that beast interacts with other beasts. Observe for instance the working relationships in quantum mechanics.

Einstein recognized the nature of atomic behavior and relationships as did Heisenberg in his initial work on the Principle of Uncertainty, (see Fritj or Capra) for interesting perspectives on these concepts. Capra (The Tao of Physics) also coined this paradigm shift in physics in his eloquent exposition of the relationship between physics and Taoism. Paradigm shifts have also been recently recognised in such fields as psychiatry, diplomacy and health care.

Few in the clinical field recognise that a malfunctioning organ does not exist in a void but also interacts with the total physical, mental, emotional and intuitive entities of the patient. While parasites can adversely impact their host’s immunity, a compromised immune system often issues an open invitation for increased parasitic invasion and invasiveness. In my practice in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, those relationships, for example, between chronic fatigue and parasitic infection, were clearly evident. In immune compromised patients, certain intestinal parasites, for example, Blastocystis hominis, were observed to be associated with marked gastro-enteric symptoms. Immune competent patients may not experience such pathologies.

Health is an expression of balance between one’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual entities; see Ouspensky’s In Search of the Miraculous. When that balance is disturbed by pressures, for example in the case of acute or chronic parasitic infections and/or non-physical factors, it needs to be restored. Homeopathic physicians understand these relationships. They also respect parasites. I now realise why I developed such an appreciation for this community of practitioners. To me, it is the 21st century expression of what I always related to intuitively, in other words, the native doctor of the tribal culture in Central Africa that understood and dealt with the body and soul of his patient as one. I have been trained to research and publish in medically credible scientific journals with readerships not extending beyond the specialised professionals. One of the major features of the new paradigm shift in the sciences is the enlargement of the scope of coverage and treatment to address the non-specialised professional and the public. See for example recent popular works by Steven Hawking, for example, A Brief History of Time.

Certain relationships in the parasitological field need to be more fully explored, e.g. those between parasitic infections and host physical-mental-emotional states as well as environmental variables. The latter include direct or indirect animate (human, wildlife, or domestic animals) and inanimate sources. Here, one should stress again the fact that behavior of the same parasite species will not be the same depending on host innate and external variables.

Exclusive seminars from world-leading parasitology professor
Dr Amin will be discussing the world of parasites in more detail at the Understanding Parasites seminar series, hosted exclusively by PCI Europe and Integrative Health Education.

The art and science of weight loss

Written by Graeme on May 6, 2015. Posted in Blog, Weight Loss. Leave a Comment

Weight loss; as simple as eating less and exercising more? Good question!

Graeme Jones has the answers…

An overweight client walks into my office; let’s say they have a BMI of 28 and their body fat level is 8% higher than they desire.

Do I recommend that eat less an exercise more? In some cases, yes, but in reality this is something I have recommended very few times in last couple of years. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I said this to a client. Clients are often coming to me with years of dieting under their belts, no pun intended, with dysfunctional metabolism and system-wide clinical and sub-clinical problems. Looking through food and exercise diaries kept over weeks and calculating calories often shows a calorie deficit, yet no weight loss, so what’s happening here?

Truth or lies?

Maybe the client is lying? Yes, this could be the case and maybe they are eating more than what they are reporting. I generally assume that most clients are underreporting what is actually going into their body; I think this is human nature. Ask any doctor on alcohol unit calculations and they will always add more to what the patient reports.

However, lets assume the client is telling the truth for this discussion. Why clients lie is a whole other subject.

The physiology of fat loss

For a number of reasons the physiology is primed not to burn fat, or to lose fat weight, and the challenge is reversing this for both the confidence and health of the client. The question is where do you start?

Many questions immediately come to mind; is the client balancing their blood sugar? What’s their stress level like? How is their thyroid functioning? Do they have a dysbiosis? How is their krebs cycle functioning? How is their liver working? How much are they sleeping, what is the quality? Are they self-sabotaging? Where are their insulin levels? Cortisol, oestrogen, testosterone? What is the balance of their autonomic nervous system like?

These are just some of the questions that will help to answer why a client is unable to loose body fat. The next question is how do you then measure each one of these, where do you start and what do you do with the information to help the client start moving towards their goal?

Want to help your clients lose weight?

Graeme Jones’ course, Success strategies for weight loss and management, addresses these very questions and is full of useful information that practitioners can use straight away to benefit their clients. The course also provides you with an understanding of tests you can use with your clients to help guide them to lasting results.

To learn more, book on and develop your understanding of the art and science to weight loss.

28th June 2015, Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Book now!

Client Management – The art of you

Written by IHE on May 1, 2015. Posted in Blog, Client Management. Leave a Comment

To people who do not know what they are looking for, the health industry is a minefield to people. A flashy sign or a smart marketing campaign will fail every time without a good reputation and the right expertise behind it.

When you start out in the industry you have the drive and desire to be everything to everyone. You give up too much of your time, you over promise, you over deliver and this usually ends with ‘burn out’ or even Adrenal Fatigue or Hypoadrenia.

In fact that is not only true for people who have just started out in the industry but also is just as relevant for practitioners who have not yet mastered how to set their boundaries efficiently so that their life works for them, financially, emotionally, physically, mentally, chemically, socially, etc.

You see the more you read, the more you want to know. The more courses you go on, the more you want to take more more courses but if all you are doing is being an information junkie or a course addict then ask yourself how many certificates will you need before you validate yourself.

In fact it doesn’t matter how much you know because the bottom line is if you are not a model of your practice, if you do not believe what you are preaching and if you are only chasing the money, then you will be found out or you’ll burn out.

Client management is an art. The first step to client management is mastering the “art of you”. Where are you in your journey, so you can be honest enough to share that information with your client? Or in your mind does that make you weaker? There is no right answer but your perception is important because it is your perception that drives you to make the right or wrong decisions.

As the American philosopher, Nicholas Murray Butler says: ‘An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less until he knows absolutely everything about nothing.’

The “art of you” is being able to understand what practitioner you want to be and where that journey is going to take you. Where do your strengths lie? Where does your heart lie? What makes you get up in the morning?

If you are unsure about where you are going then you probably just need some re-direction, because this stuff isn’t taught to you when you sign up in the health profession, you have to learn it on the job. So the best advise will come from people who have tried, failed, succeeded, made money, lost money, set up their own businesses, pushed the boundaries, taken a chance and so on.

Client management is a tool every health practitioner should have under their belt because if you are your own boss yet you don’t know how to grow your practice then you will be chasing the client for the rest of your career instead of chasing your goals.

Want to know more about client management? Then sign up to Hannah’s course – Client Management – A Practical Approach on 30th May. On this course you will learn:

The art of working with a client to create excellent results
The steps to take to progress a client from an enquiry to having a successful relationship
Elimination diets and templates
Alternative food plans for food sensitivities / finance / resources / stages of health
How to read a food label. Read/learn/teach
Tools to maintain client retention and compliance

Hannah Richards is a Nutrition and lifestyle Coach and Director of Holistic Health Clinic Move Three Sixty.

Physiology and the Acute Stress Response – why does our body produce the same response for all stressors?

Written by Graeme on April 28, 2015. Posted in Blog, Stress. Leave a Comment

The body mobilises the sympathetic nervous system, secretes stress hormones and inhibits others in response to a stressor. And whatever the stressor – whether you are too hot, too cold, having an argument, lost a loved one, or running for the bus – we activate the stress response in the same way.

But before we talk the physiology of stress, let’s talk terminology first. A ‘stressor’ is something that throws your body out of allostatic balance and the stress response is your body’s attempt to restore allostasis. Allostasis is a concept grown from homeostasis, which in recent years has been mainly built upon by Dr Bruce McEwan of Rockefeller University.

Homeostasis vs. allostasis

Homeostasis basically says there is a single optimal level, amount or number for any given measure in the body. Also, that you reach this set point through some local regulatory mechanism. Whereas allostasis recognises that any given set point can be regulated in many different ways, each with its own set of consequences.

Homestasis is about amending this little process or that. Allostasis is about the brain coordinating body-wide changes to achieve a result and that includes changes in behaviour.

The generalised stress response

As we have acknowledged, the body mobilises the sympathetic nervous system, the stress response, in the same way, whatever the stressor. As a physiologist this seems strange. Why would the body do the same thing if it were too hot or too cold – surely, as I was taught during all those lectures at university, specific challenges to the body provoke specific responses and adaptations? Warming causes dilation of the blood vessels, chilling causes the opposite – constriction of the vessels and shivering. Being too hot seems a very different physiological challenge to being too cold and logic would tell us the body’s physiological response should be different.

Survival mode

Why should the body have such a generalised stress response regardless of the situation you find yourself in? However, when you think about it, it actually makes sense. If you’re a starving bacteria stressed by food shortage you can go into a dormant state. But if you’re a starving lion, you’re going to have to run after something to make a kill.

For us humans, the core of the stress response is built around the idea that we’re going to have to work like crazy to survive and therefore the muscles need energy, right now, in a usable form, rather than it being stored away. Glucose and the simplest forms of proteins and fats come pouring out of your fat cells and the liver and are delivered to the working muscles that are going to save you. Blood pressure increases, as does heart and breathing rate to help with the increased demand.

Shut down

Another feature of the stress response is that long-term ‘building projects’ all shut down. Why waste energy on physiological processes that are not needed for your immediate survival. Systems such as digestion and reproduction are closed for business – there’s no need for them if you are not going to survive the next few minutes. Immunity, which does do some interesting things during stress, also shuts down.

The story of the stress response is, don’t waste energy on physiological processes that are not important for immediate survival and divert everything that is relevant to help the body stay alive.

Acute stressors move us away from allostasis quickly, and the stress response is about mobilising the troops to get us back to that point. That’s why our body produces the same response, whether you are too hot or too cold, running for the bus or having argument.

For more information about the physiology of stress, why not join Graeme for his next course? Stress – A Modern Day Epidemic will run on 27th June in Wakefield Yorkshire. Book now!

The Systemic Effects of Breathing

Written by IHE on April 7, 2015. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

The importance of respiration can be viewed in the context of the integrated model of joint function. It illustrates the interplay between the active, passive, neural and emotional components in joint function. Respiratory alkalosis is known to cause increased contraction of smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscle cells are located in collagen within intervertebral discs, ligaments, fascia and menisci. Thus alterations in breathing mechanics may affect the function of the passive system. Furthermore, respiratory alkalosis alters neuronal excitability, muscle function and emotional state (Chaitow 2004). Through these mechanisms respiratory rate may at times affect the function of the entire musculoskeletal system.

Nasal vs. mouth breathers

Breathing mechanics may affect dentofacial and craniorofacial structure. Harari et al (2010) retrospectively analysed the changes in 116 paediatric patients, 55 of which showed signs and symptoms of nasal breathing and 61 controls that were normal nasal breathers. Mouth breathers demonstrated considerable backwards and downward rotation of the mandible, increased overjet, increased mandible plane angle, a higher palatal plane and narrowing of both the upper and lower arches compared to nasal breathers. This occurs as the mouth adapts to more closely resemble a nose. In this position, the mandible may not contact the maxilla causing unrestricted alveolar development and posterior tooth eruption. Thus, altering occlusion. Furthermore, a posterior cross bite was more prevalent in the mouth breathers at 49% compared with 26% in controls. As was an abnormal lip to tongue seal, 56% in mouth breathers as opposed to 30% in controls. This could be viewed as the CNS prioritising respiration over the stomatognathic system.

Mouth breathing and the kinetic chain

Mouth breathing is also associated with compensatory changes throughout the kinetic chain. In children, mouth breathers have been found to have significant increases in cervical protraction and thoracic curvature in the sagittal plane measured with biophotogrammetry (Lima et al 2004). These changes lead to measureable reductions in thoracic rotation and winging scapula. At the lumbar spine extension coupled with an anteriorly rotated pelvis is a typical but not statistically significant compensation, as some patients compensate with a posterior pelvic tilt (Lima et al 2004). In the lower limb the knees hyperextend and the ankles dorsiflex. These findings suggest the CNS is sacrificing the spine and limbs to achieve cervical protraction and open up the oral airway to improve respiration.

The importance of nasal breathing highlights the need to assess whether patients are breathing nasally or orally, as well as any contributing factors such as deviated septums, nasal polyps and allergies. Oral breathing can normally be easily detected on assessment. In addition, mouth-breathing patients may report ptyalism (drooling) during the night on questioning.

Respiratory system and posture

The respiratory function of muscles is prioritised over their stabilisation function. The postural and respiratory function of the diaphragm is co-coordinated with the respiratory and postural inputs summated at the phrenic motorneurons (Hodges et al 2001). Further integration of respiratory and postural roles has been demonstrated for the transversus abdominis and the intercostals. Hodges et al (2001) assessed the effects of increasing respiratory demand on the postural function of the diaphragm. Six participants had to oscillate an arm whilst breathing through a tube, which increased dead space in the lungs for four minutes. As participants reached the final minutes, their respiratory rates increased and CO2 levels had decreased. Their results showed that as respiratory demand increased, the postural function of the diaphragm declined. They concluded:

“To maintain homeostasis, the CNS must prioritise respiratory drive over other functions of the respiratory muscles, such as postural control” (Hodges et al 2001, p. 1006).

The clinical application of this statement is clear. Patients need to be cleared for respiratory dysfunctions, such as breathing pattern disorder or chronic hyperventilation, to inform management clinically. Patients with respiratory dysfunctions may need treatment for their respiratory dysfunction or a palliative solution prior to achieving long-term resolution of chronic pain symptoms.

Want to learn more about breathing mechanics?

Kieran’s course, A Practical Approach to Mastering The Art of Breathing, is running on 25th April in Middlesex.

About Kieran

Kieran is a physiotherapist, nutritional therapist and exercise specialist who is passionate about getting people out of chronic pain and back to what they do best.

He has worked in the health, exercise and rehabilitation industry since 2004, starting as a personal trainer and sports massage therapist. Kieran work works extensively with golfers and back pain.

References

Chaitow, L., 2004. Breathing pattern disorders, motor control and pain. Journal of osteopathic medicine, 7 (1), 34-41.
Harari, D., Redlich, M., Miri, S., Hamud, T., Gross, M., 2010. The effect of mouth breathing versus nasal breathing on dentofacial and craniofacial development in orthodontic patients. Laryngoscope, 120 (10), 2089-93.
Hodges, P., Heijnen, I., Gandevia, S.C., 2001. Postural activity of the diaphragm is reduced in humans when respiratory demand increases. Journal of physiology, 537 (3), 999-1008.
Lima, L.C.O., Baruna, M.A., Sologurem, M.J.J., Canto, R.S.T., Gastaldi, A.C., 2004. Postural alterations in children with mouth beathing assessed by computerized biophotogrammetry. Journal applied oral science, 12 (3), 232-237.

Hormone imbalance and digestion dysfunction

Written by Emma Lane on April 2, 2015. Posted in Blog, Gastrointestinal health. Leave a Comment

Poor absorption of certain vitamins and minerals will result in hormone imbalance, so the function or dysfunction of the digestive system has a direct impact on pre-menstrual symptoms for example.

So how does digestion work?

When you eat, food starts to be digested in the mouth by the mechanical action of chewing and a release of enzymes in the saliva. The food then travels through your oesophagus. In the stomach, acids and enzymes break down the food into smaller particles. After leaving your stomach, these particles enter the small intestine. This long tube slowly contracts and expands to push the food along through it, while absorbing nutrients that your body uses for energy, growth, and repair. By the time the food reaches the end of the small intestine, almost all of its nutrients have been absorbed. At this point, what’s left of the food is mostly water and indigestible waste.

This material then enters the large intestine. Its main job is to remove water from the waste products as they pass through and then recycle this water back to your body. After traveling through this area, the waste is held at the end of the colon in the rectum. It will then leave your body through the anus as stool when you have a bowel movement

Key disrupting factors

There are many disrupting factors that affect the digestive process. These include Poor cephalic response, low hydrochloric acid, stress, liver congestion and dysbiosis

1. The cephalic response
The cephalic phase of digestion is when you stimulate a natural response to increase gastric secretions even before food enters the stomach, therefore supporting the breakdown of food in your digestive tract once the food is in there.

The cephalic response is stimulated when you see, smell, think about, or taste food. Therefore if you are not present with your food and mindful of eating you are not getting the optimal response and this results in poor breakdown, absorption and therefore poor digestion.

2. Low hydrochloric acid secreted by parietal cells in the stomach wall
Hydrochloric acid (HCL) is secreted by parietal cells in the stomach wall and its actions include:

Denatures proteins and enhances nutrient absorption
Activates pepsin from pepsinogen
Supports barrier defence against ingested microbes
Most B complex vitamins require normal levels of stomach acid for absorption.
Fe, cu, mg, zn, ca require an acidic environment for absorption.
Stimulates secretion of bile and pancreatic juices

Consequences of low stomach acid

Low stomach acid cannot properly break down proteins into amino acids. Lack of amino acids in the bloodstream means less available neurotransmitters which can mean mood disorders like depression. Additionally, protein maldigestion leads to hair loss and brittle nails.

Low stomach acid fosters imbalanced gut flora. Pathogenic and food borne bacteria, usually killed by the inappropriate stomach pH level, can make their way into the intestines. Further, lack of acidity in the stomach makes it more hospitable to bad bacteria colonistation.

Low stomach acid leads to nutrient malabsorption. Specifically, when proteins aren’t fully broken down, B12 absorption is disrupted. Folate and nonheme iron absorption are also affected by low stomach acid.

Low stomach acid also leads to heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or reflux.

Low stomach acid often means constipation, bloating, gas and belching. With inadequate acid, food sits in the stomach and putrefies instead of being properly digested.

Low stomach acid may cause a leaky gut (increased intestinal permeability) and therefore create food allergies/sensitivities. Improperly digested foods can create little “holes” between the cells of the intestinal lining. These undigested food particles can also create the opportunity for pathogenic bacteria to contribute to creating increased intestinal permeability. Then, undigested proteins and other food particles leak into the bloodstream and the body reacts by creating antibodies to these foreign particles in the blood.

Simple solutions to support HCL production include:

1. Sea salt for low stomach acid – add unrefined sea salt, such as Celtic sea salt with meals and to water and drink 15 minutes before you eat. This provides chloride, the building block of stomach acid (sodium chloride and hydrochloric acid).

2. Raw apple cider vinegar for low stomach acid – Low stomach acid causes a cascade of digestive issues like bloating, hair loss and constipation. There are a few theories regarding just why apple cider vinegar improves digestion and low stomach acid. First, the vinegar is acidic and will slightly lower the pH in the stomach. Frequent doses of raw apple cider vinegar is reported to help with candida overgrowth and candida problems can contribute to low stomach acid production.

3. Drink 1/2-1 tsp. raw apple cider vinegar in 1/2 cup warm water. Take this concoction before each meal and, if needed, after meals.

4. Swedish bitters for low stomach acid – Swedish bitters are an important tool in treating low stomach acid but is only part of the solution in healing low stomach acid naturally. To use put 1 tsp of Granary Herbs Swedish Bitters Liquid (purchase here) in water and drink 15 minutes before your two heaviest meals of the day

Other points to note:

Drinking large amounts of water during meals waters down stomach acid and therefore inhibits digestion.

Drinking a cup of warm, homemade bone broth can help to stimulate digestive juices and is also supportive to the health of the gut overall.

3. Stress
Perhaps the most important change is not to eat while stressed, as the body does not produce gastric juices when under stress. That means sitting down in a calm quiet environment for your meals, chewing well until each mouthful is almost liquid and eating mindfully.
You can see from the diagram below that having chronic low level of stress will have a radical effect on your health especially if you are rushed and stressed when eating.

4. Liver congestion
The liver is a natural multitasker: it plays a large role in metabolism, helps build proteins, breaks down hormones, clears toxins from the bloodstream, and much more.

Suboptimal detoxification signs

Recurrent headaches
Muscle aching and weakness
Chronic fatigue and lethargy
Recurrent infections
Dark circles under the eyes
Anaemia
Infertility
Depression, anxiety &/or mood swings
Poor short term memory and concentration
Adverse reactions / sensitivity to environmental chemicals, odours &/or nutritional supplements

Support your liver

Eat good-quality food. Avoid overeating and refined or heavily processed food.
Get plenty of fresh green leafy veg and keep a varied diet of fresh foods that is appropriate for your biochemistry.
Maintain regular bowel movements this helps keep the bowels and liver clear of toxic load.
Stay well hydrated.
Minimise exposure to chemicals of all sorts, from food additives and cosmetics to caustic cleaning agents. Remember that the liver needs to break down every chemical entering the body either for use or excretion.
Use recreational drugs and alcohol sparingly, or better yet, quit!
Utilise Swedish bitters or a liver support supplement.
Take time to breathe deeply, relax, meditate or pray. Stress can aggravate liver congestion.

5. Dysbiosis
Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the colonies of the bowel flora and the effects that the by-products have on human physiology. Published research has listed dysbiosis as the cause of arthritis, autoimmune illness, B12 deficiency, chronic fatigue, cystic acne, the early stages of colon and breast cancer, eczema, food allergy/sensitivity, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis, and steatorrhea.

Causes of intestinal dysbiosis

Stress
Poor diet/nutritional status
Antibiotic/other drug therapy
Decreased immune status
Decreased gut motility
Maldigestion
Intestinal infection
Diabetes
Gastrointestinal tract surgery

Common symptoms of Dysbiosis

Disturbed bowel movements – either diarrhoea or constipation, or a combination of both.
Excessive wind
Abdominal distension/ bloating
Fatigue
Hormonal imbalances.
Foggy thinking.
Anxiety, depression or mood swings.
Chronic vaginitis (vaginal irritation)
Dysbiosis can affect almost every aspect of health.

To learn more about the healthy digestion process and what can go wrong, why not read some of our other blogs?

To understand the far reaching effects of digestion check out Emma Lane’s comprehensive course Holistic Approaches to a Fully Functional Gut. The next course will run on 11-12th April in Middlesex. Book now. Emma will also running this course in Fort Lauderdale on April 18th/19th and in Carlsbad on August 1st/2nd.

Digestion and its link to female hormones

Written by IHE on March 27, 2015. Posted in Blog, Gastrointestinal health. Leave a Comment

In general people are unaware that their digestive system function has any connection or effect on their hormonal system. But any type of inflammation in the digestive system will lead to increased production of cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone.

Inflammation can damage the intestinal lining, impairing absorption of the biochemicals that are the raw ingredients for producing steroid hormones such as cortisol, oestrogen, and progesterone, so that the body may be challenged in its production of these hormones. Increased demand from inflammation and decreased supply from poor absorption will combine to create a hormone imbalance.

For your nutrient consumption to represent nutrient uptake to your body’s cells, tissues, and organs, your digestive organs need to be working stress-free with no inflammation, fungus, parasites and/or other chemical and physical variables. When you don’t have optimal digestion, your body is starving because of poor nutrient extraction.

Gas, bloating and slow digestion are common hormonal problems that aren’t usually associated with hormonal imbalances, but may be associated with eating bad foods, not chewing your food and eating too much.

In summary:

Digestion plays an important role in determining overall nutritional status and health.
Hormones are made from the food you eat.
The best food intake lacks potential for wellbeing and hormonal balance if digestive function is sub-optimal.
Poor digestion and assimilation of food can lead to malabsorption-induced ill health.
Imbalance in the gastrointestinal system has implications that extend far beyond digestive symptoms.

Key points to support and balance digestion and female hormones:

Reduce and manage stress
Create good cephalic response
Optimise digestive secretions
Eat a broad variety of foods
Support liver function
Maintain blood sugar balance
Support your good bacteria

Lack of absorption of certain vitamins and minerals is associated with PMS symptoms.

Low magnesium is associated with pre-menstrual fluid retention, nausea, apathy, tiredness, muscle cramps, mood swings and craving chocolate. Depression during the period is often a sign of magnesium deficiency.

Vitamin A deficiency has been associated with increased oestrogen levels, which in turn affects the balance of oestrogen to progesterone levels. Insufficient levels of vitamin B6 is associated with an excess of oestrogen in relation to progesterone. This is important because vitamin B6 improves hepatic clearance of oestrogen.

Breast tenderness associated with the menstrual cycle indicates the liver needs help because it is failing to inactivate excess levels of oestrogen because of a deficiency of B vitamins.

Deficiency in EFA’s is also associated with many PMS symptoms such as irritability, fluid retention, fatigue, heavy periods, and headaches.

Common intestinal imbalance signs to be watchful for:

Bloating, belching, burning and flatulence
Diarrhoea / constipation
Undigested food in stool / foul smelling stools
Mineral deficiencies – iron, zinc etc.
Food intolerances
Nausea after taking nutritional / herbal supplements
Post-adolescent acne
Weak, peeling, ridged or cracked fingernails
Dilated capillaries in the cheeks and nose
Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
Fat soluble vitamin deficiency signs

Plus… secondary haemorrhoids or fissures, inflammatory soft tissue or joint problems, rough ‘chicken skin’ on upper arms and thighs, dandruff, dry brittle hair, dry skin.

To learn more about the healthy digestion process and what can go wrong, look out for our next blog Hormone imbalance and digestion dysfunction.

To understand the far reaching effects of digestion check out Emma Lane’s comprehensive course Holistic Approaches to a Fully Functional Gut. The next course will run on 2nd & 3rd June in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

International Fitness Show in Blackpool

Written by IHE on March 13, 2015. Posted in Blog, Integrative Health Education. Leave a Comment

The Integrative Health Education team will be out in force at this year’s International Fitness Show in Blackpool. Emma Lane, Graeme Jones, Rob Yang and James Duffin will all be presenting talks!! Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the IHE educators. You can find us at stand 46. Here’s a schedule of talks by our team. Don’t miss a minute of these workshops – we’re packing them with practical information! If you want to find out more about this year’s IFS, go to the website here: http://chrysalispromotions.com/ifs/

Resonance and tuning forks

Written by Emma Lane on March 6, 2015. Posted in Blog, Energy Is Everything. Leave a Comment

Appropriate music or sounds can help to restore the natural vibrations of a living being and therefore its health, as long as these vibrations resonate with the natural vibration of that being. Tuning forks create this healing opportunity.

Everything in the world functions at an optimal frequency and when a person is operating at optimal health, his or her “tones” are attuned with each other and aligned with the external world.

Any stress-related condition – an emotion, negative belief or event, or pathogen – can be labelled as an “invading-sound” or frequency that can disrupt the body’s natural frequencies or vibrations.

If the body or those parts of the body (including the energetic structures) are unable to attune to the “out-of-tune” frequency or to its personal frequency, the invading frequency “takes over” and eventually causes disease.

The beneficial use of tuning forks is based on sound waves as they pass through the body. They elicit responses within the body systems. These systems in turn react to sound waves and vibrations and are restored to a healthier and more harmonic place.

When you tap the tuning forks, you awaken the life energy of your cells and start them puffing, creating a centered, happy feeling inside. There are many wellbeing benefits of tuning forks; here are eight reasons to incorporate these tools into your holistic practices:

Provides instantaneous, deep state of relaxation
Improves mental clarity and brain functioning
Increases your level of physical energy and mental concentration
Relieves stress by drawing your body into a centered space
Develops and refines your sonic abilities
Enhances massage, acupressure, dream work and meditation
Brings your nervous system into balance
Integrates left and right brain thought patterns

Sound is frequently conjoined with chakra work to produce beneficial results.
There are two theories about sound and the chakra system:

Chakra Work:

Each musical note holds a vibration and creates unique results. There are many theories that fix certain tones to specific chakras. These vary from culture to culture with the belief that you can attune the chakras and balance the system.

Tones can both heal and harm. Off-tones – tones that don’t match the frequency of your body, a particular chakra, or physical organ – create dissonance/disease.

Beneficial tones blend with your core harmonic and keep you strong and help to enable healing.

Healing the chakras is designed to help each person recognise the naturally occurring rhythms of vibration within themselves to allow them to heal.

Learn how to effectively use tuning forks to balance the chakra system on part one of Emma Lane’s energy healing course. Find out more on the Integrative Health Education website. Or call +44 (0) 1924 242 851 to book.

The science behind sound therapy

Written by IHE on March 5, 2015. Posted in Blog, Energy Is Everything. Leave a Comment

The science of sound healing is complex. It starts with the understanding that each atom is constructed of electrons, protons, neutrons, and subatomic particles.

Electrons that move at over six hundred miles per second surround each atom. Motion creates frequency, which creates vibration, which in turn generates sound (whether audible or not).

Here is a step-by-step introduction to the science of sound healing:

Sound information forms patterns out of matter. Therefore it must contain the information needed to form these patterns.
Sound moves in waves, and in turn creates fields. Particular sounds are passed into, out of and through the body through molecules that act as transfer points for information.
A molecule can literally take on the vibration of an initial pulse and pass this vibration on to its neighbours, which is why sound can shape and change the body and its fields.
Water molecules, formed from crystals, will actually shape and reshape according to the vibration of a sound or the information coded into it – for better or worse.
Sound waves are like a deep massage at an atomic and molecular level.
Every organ, bone and tissue has its own frequency.
Sound moves in waves, and in turn creates fields. Particular sounds are passed into, out of, and through the body through molecules, which act as transfer points for information.
The sound waves of tuning forks vibrate and travel deeply into the body along energy pathways, affecting human physiology and reaching places not easily accessed.
Their rich resonance and vibration connects with and supports the body’s natural frequencies, stimulates and balances the body’s physical and subtle energy field, and promotes wellness, deep inner harmony, and harmonic attunement.
Certain notes or tones can be harmful. For example very low infrasonic frequencies can collapse internal organs; ultrasonic energy can decalcify and soften bones
Sound can be healing. As shown by researcher Fabien Maman when sounding a tuning fork on a cancer cell and the cell dissolved.
Water conducts sound four times faster than air so it can be a useful entrainment (joining of vibrations) tool – especially for our bodies, which are 70% water.
Sound delivers healing vibrations faster than many other methods. It is frequently employed in chakra and auric field therapy.

Emma Lane will share more about the science behind energy healing in her 2-day workshop – Retune, Rebalance and Regenerate – The Art of Energy Healing. Book now.

Regarding bacteriology and bacterial pathogens

Regarding Neurocutaneous Syndrome (NCS) and Morgellons Diseases

Perspectives on Parasitology

The art and science of weight loss

Client Management – The art of you

Physiology and the Acute Stress Response – why does our body produce the same response for all stressors?

The Systemic Effects of Breathing

Hormone imbalance and digestion dysfunction

Digestion and its link to female hormones

International Fitness Show in Blackpool

Resonance and tuning forks

The science behind sound therapy

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