One of the poorly understood aspects of nutritional health is the importance of measuring appropriate quantities of food throughout the lifecycle. During teenage and adolescent years, the body requires an additional resource of nutrients and, in many cases, calories to support the average lifestyle which is likely to include a diverse range of sporting, cultural, and social activities. Depending on occupation and other factors, adults usually experience a sharp decline in their physical activity levels commencing around their mid to late thirties. While many perceive this not to be the case, the objective reality has been documented in large scale health surveys. These indicate a series of common factors which include increased dependence on...

The previously neglected concept of food intolerance has now been widely promoted by medical research into metabolic disorders with a genetic basis. There is also evidence to suggest these intolerances affect the general wellbeing of more individuals than had originally been estimated. Some basic description of events occurring within the gastrointestinal tract can be useful for understanding the concept of food intolerance. Breaking down food The stomach and intestinal walls are designed to break food into the molecular particles which are then used by the body to provide energy, and as a resource for the growth and repair of tissue. Even with the most careful selection of wholesome foods, there are components which are not required and must...

With appropriate medical or therapeutic supervision, dedicated participants of a good detoxification program can achieve improved physical health and vitality. Over time, detoxification can improve the symptoms associated with poor digestion, suppressed immunity, and early ageing. Because sustained changes in diet or lifestyle have the potential to interfere with underlying health conditions, it is imperative to consult a medical practitioner or reputable naturopath before embarking on a detoxification program. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, diabetics, underweight, and those suffering from chronic illnesses should avoid detoxification programs. Exposure to a wide range of environmental pollutants is an increasing risk and concern for individuals...

Every so often, there is a popular wave of interest in foods containing natural compounds believed to slow down or reverse the effects of ageing. In many cases such information reaching the public is distorted through the individual or combined effects of dubious research, inaccurate reporting, and advertising hype. Because the desire to prolong youthfulness is generally strong, many of us become vulnerable to a whole range of suggestions and recommendations that are both impractical and unlikely to be effective. To protect ourselves, it must be remembered that no food (or nutritional supplement) is particularly valuable on its own. Effective nutrition is a complex science since it necessarily involves combinations of many different foods and...

There are thirteen essential vitamins required to maintain optimal body function. It’s certainly possible - and indeed preferable - to obtain your required vitamin intake from organic food sources. The key to doing this is, like most things, balance. Eating a balanced selection of leafy green organic vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, legumes, organic poultry, dairy, meat, seafood and cold-pressed oils will ensure most people’s vitamin needs are fulfilled. By choosing organic food sources to deliver your vitamin requirements, you’ll significantly reduce your exposure to pesticides and the various agricultural chemical contaminants routinely used in large-scale industrial agriculture. Let’s take a closer look at each of the vitamins, their...

Human fertility is influenced by many factors, with diet and lifestyle being amongst those which can be regulated and improved where necessary. In reviewing those studies completed to date, the association between impaired fertility and certain dietary and lifestyle factors appears well established. The clearest evidence relates to nutrient imbalances and the specific effects of certain synthetic and organic chemicals which are sometimes present in foods, soil, and the wider environment. Since the beginnings of the industrial revolution, many human populations have been exposed to an array of synthetic chemical substances, often delivered directly into the food chain through contaminated soils, water, and atmospheres. Several major studies have...

There’s been plenty of discussion about the importance of including omega 3 fatty acids in the diet. These are now included within the category of beneficial lipids, which are necessary for circulatory health, neurological development, and the integrity of cell membranes throughout the body. A regular intake of omega 3 will assist in maintaining the health and efficiency of the circulatory system. The majority of clinical research has involved alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is now understood to lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides. By improving the flexibility of blood vessels and acting as an anti inflammatory, ALA lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and the major symptoms: angina, heart attack, and stroke. Flaxseed oil is...

The surface of the earth is approximately one quarter land with the remaining three quarters consisting of liquid water and ice. To function efficiently, the human body must maintain approximately three quarters of its volume as water. There’s no escaping the fundamental importance of water for maintaining the integrity of the planet and for those individuals seeking a healthy, organic inspired lifestyle. Popular health books tend to concentrate on the nutritious foods we must eat, the dietary supplements, and the exercise required to keeps us fit and alert. Unfortunately some of these fail to emphasise the importance of water. We’ve all encountered individuals who spend a fortune on their organic produce, supplements, and gym subscriptions...

Extended storage and heating of many plant based foods results frequently in the destruction of natural enzymes that are integral to optimum health. Such enzymes are required to support the ongoing biochemical and physiological processes of the healthy individual. Ordinary physical activity, for example, requires these natural enzymes which enable cells to efficiently release their stored energy. Enzymes help the body absorb essential nutrients and also assume an important role in reproduction and the healing and prevention of illness and disease. Drinking a variety of freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices is one of the easiest ways to obtain a daily supply of natural plant enzymes. Many of the degenerative illnesses prevalent in today’s...

The introduction of solid foods is an exciting period for caregivers and children alike. For a variety of reasons this venture should be approached in a methodical and investigative manner, with an underlying emphasis on the quality and purity of the foods being offered. There is a considerable body of scientific literature examining the optimum age for introducing solid foods. A preliminary review of this material will reveal many inconsistent conclusions and recommendations as provided to caregivers and health professionals over the years. Current opinion indicates that babies should be given only breast milk or infant formula for the first six months of life. This period of time allows the digestive system to develop to a level where starches...