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Debbie Cotton Ad.Dip.Nat - CNM Lecturer

What is a vegetarian / vegan?

The term vegetarian is most commonly used to mean someone who does not eat animal flesh – beef, lamb, pork, chicken and fish. Vegetarians usually eat dairy produce and eggs. Sometimes they may eat fish, although strictly speaking this would be termed pescatarian. Generally vegans do not eat animal flesh, neither do they eat eggs or dairy. They may also avoid honey and gelatine, and may even choose to opt for a completely vegan lifestyle, avoiding leather/wool products and any items containing animal ingredients, including some alcohols and many cosmetics and household goods.

Why?

People choose to become vegetarian for various reasons; the poor treatment of animals, the environmental impact of meat and dairy farming, the global socioeconomic implications of high meat consumption, and some for religious reasons. Some may choose a vegetarian diet because they believe it is more healthy, which it can be, when properly planned.

Nutrition

The most important thing to remember is that junk food is still junk food, even if it is vegetarian! If you have a busy life and tend to eat on the run most of the time, the chances are that you are not getting proper nutrition regardless of whether you are a carnivore or vegetarian. However, living on fast food as a vegetarian may leave you more vulnerable to health issues like anaemia. Here is some basic information on nutrition to bear in mind when planning your diet:

Protein - If you’re already vegetarian, you’re probably used to people asking where you get your protein from! It’s not as difficult as carnivores imagine, but you do need to put some thought into it. Almost all foods contain protein, but some more than others. The following are vegetarian sources of protein; nuts and seeds, pulses (beans and lentils), whole grains, soya products, eggs and dairy products.

It is also important to know about the quality of the protein. Proteins are made up of amino acids, and some sources suggest that you need these amino acids in equal amounts. Egg yolks contain equal amounts of the essential amino acids and are therefore high quality. Dairy, quinoa and soya products are also fairly high quality. You can improve the quality of protein sources by mixing them, for example pulses and whole grains together provide good quality protein.

There’s no need to feel daunted by this information, if you follow these simple guidelines, you will be eating plenty of good quality protein:

• Eat as wide variety of foods as you can, including several protein sources from the following list everyday; nuts and seeds, pulses, whole grains, soya products, eggs and dairy products.
• Eat some protein with every meal.
• If you are vegan, you will need to pay more attention to combining your protein sources and be sure to eat pulses and grains everyday, along with some nuts and seeds and possibly soya.

Whole grains - Refined grains (white bread, white rice, white flour) have lost most of their nutrients in the refining process. Whole grains, however, are a good source of B vitamins and minerals. The following are whole grains; wholemeal, spelt, rye and sprouted wheat bread, wholewheat pasta, brown rice, oats, quinoa, buckwheat, millet.

Iron – Iron can be lacking in a poorly planned vegetarian diet. Dairy is not a good source of iron. Ensure to eat plenty of the following sources of iron; whole grains, pulses, leafy green vegetables. You can also include smaller amounts of seaweeds, dried fruit and black molasses.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) - EFAs are fats that we have to eat in our diet because our bodies cannot make them. Currently we know that there are two main types of EFA – omega 3 and omega 6. If you eat plenty of fresh uncooked nuts and seeds, you will get enough omega 6. The best source of omega 3 is fish, so unless you’re eating fish about 3 times a week, you need to include more omega 3 oils everyday from the following sources; ground linseed or linseed oil (Biona is a tasty brand), Udo’s Choice Oil, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed butter, hemp oil. Store these products in the fridge and don’t cook them or you will damage the EFAs.

Vitamin B12 – This vitamin is found in meat, eggs and dairy, and there is no other reliable food source. Research suggests that we cannot manufacture this vitamin in our body and deficiency symptoms are serious (irreversible nerve damage). So if you’re vegan, you need to take a supplement. We need around 2.5mcg daily, although there is no evidence to prove that much greater intakes cause any damage.

Vitamin D – This vitamin is found in meat, eggs and dairy products, but can also be synthesised in the skin in sunlight. For vegans who live in cloudy northern climates it may be wise to supplement this vitamin in the winter. The Recommended Nutrient Intake is 10mcg.

Vitamin E – You do not need to worry about this vitamin if you are eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh nuts and seeds.

Iodine – This mineral is mainly found in meat, dairy, fish and seaweed. If you are vegan you need to include some seaweed in your diet, either small amounts added to food or take a supplement each day. The RNI is 150mcg, and it is important not to go over 600mcg daily.

Calcium – You do not need to worry about calcium if you are eating plenty of green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, and smaller amounts of seaweed, dried fruit and black molasses.

Soya products – Much of the soya currently produced is GM, so check the packaging well. Soya products are quite convenient and with such a good range of products it is easy to eat too many, which may increase your changes of creating a food intolerance, so don’t eat too many. Bear in mind also that many soya products are highly processed.

Peanuts – These are a high source of protein, but contain toxins and moulds that many people react to badly. Don’t eat too many.

Dairy - Milk is essentially food for baby mammals, which may explain why there is such a high rate of dairy intolerance in adults. Dairy has been linked to certain types of cancer and modern dairy products are concentrated sources of hormones and pesticides. These act as toxins and disrupt the body’s own hormone balance and immune system function. Over-consumption may therefore lead to degenerative disease, so the best advice is to use organic produce in limited amounts.

For further information check out www.vegsoc.org and www.vegansociety.com.

CNM - The College of Naturopathic Medicine UK

Tags: vegan, veganism, vegetarian, vegetarianism

CONSUMERS STEP UP CAMPAIGN IN EUROPE
PHASE 2 ACTIVITY SPREADS ACROSS EU FIGHTING TO SAVE OUR SUPPLEMENTS

The ‘Save-Our-Supplements’ campaign gathered pace across the EU as representatives from twelve Member States stepped up the pressure to keep specialist vitamin & mineral supplements available. Led by the lobby group Consumers for Health Choice (CHC), pressure is set to increase on the Commission as work continues to set maximum dose levels for dietary supplements across Europe.

Of primary importance is the new On-Line PETITION addressed to the President of the Commission and the Heads of Government of the 27 Member States. Collecting substantial numbers of signatures will be used a means to put pressure on the EU Commission and awaken Member States governments to the importance of maximum permitted levels and consumer choice.

Read more and sign the petition >>

CNM Student Claire Lewis Creates Her Own Web Business

In April 2005, CNM student Claire Lewis launched her web site - www.lovelula.com - selling only pure and natural beauty products, free of harmful chemical additives. The idea came some years earlier during a CNM Naturopathy lecture on detoxification.

“In class, the effects of chemicals used in shampoos and tooth pastes and other very harmful chemicals that have been found in breast tumours were discussed. I then began to realise how little information there was for consumers about the health impacts of cosmetic products. Another factor was how hard it was to source health supporting products once you were informed!”

“My journey to Naturopathy began in 2000 when my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Although my mother was given surgery, it was natural methods of healing that nurtured her back to wellness following her operation. As I read more and more about the different healing modalities available, I came across the CNM and enrolled in 2001. With the methods taught in class I learned to cure my own IBS and chronic fatigue.”

“There has been no looking back. Prior to studying at the CNM and launching LoveLula, I worked as an accountant in the City.”

“My studies have opened the door to a career I wake up to with enthusiasm each day. I love that I am using what the CNM has taught me about natural health to help other people through my business.”

“Real health and vitality are the greatest gifts in life, and being able to support people in achieving that, by helping them make informed choices about their toiletries, is incredibly rewarding.”

www.lovelula.com

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Anti Candida Diet Advice

If your findings show that you have an intestinal Candida overgrowth that needs treatment, an effective remedy will be prescribed to you, which you have to take according to the instructions. However, experience has shown that medication for intestinal fungi without a special diet is not sufficient. The dietary advice given below is based on the scientific research of the German Professor Dr. Hans Rieth, MD, and has become the gold standard.

Yeastlike fungi need to have a source of organic carbohydrates to live on. Their easiest supply is organic carbohydrate in the form of short chain sugars, like our household sugars or fruit sugar. The more sugars they have available the better they thrive. For this reason you have to avoid short chain carbohydrates like glucose, fructose, household sugars, malt sugar, all kinds of sweets, chocolate, sweet juices and other sweet drinks, white flour products and jams in your daily nutrition during the anti-Candida treatment. Of course you have to avoid foods, which you are intolerant to as well.
However, be warned of extreme diets, which reduce not only the short chain but also the complex carbohydrates and fruit for weeks or even months. Here not only the fungus but also the patient will be harmed.

You might be very concerned before starting the diet that you will find it extremely hard to avoid sugars, but you have to consider that your need for sugars will go down rapidly once the Candida is eliminated.

It is very important to sweep out the accumulated yeast cells with fibre. A rich supply of fibre mechanically eliminates the accumulated yeast cells from the intestines. This is especially efficient when you eat fibre several times a day, also for example in form of a supplement. Fibre also encourages a faster digestion, which is important to get the Candida out of your intestines and has the additional advantage of making you feel full. This makes the diet easier.

Rich on fibre are:

All kinds of vegetables, especially raw
Breads - Wholemeal rye breads, wholemeal breads, bran breads
Cereal products - seed sprouts, wholemeal, wholemeal flakes, grains, whole grain pasta, brown rice

Are you allowed to eat yeast during your Candida diet?
In principle you can eat baking yeast, beer yeast and other food yeasts as they don’t colonise your gut like Candida albicans and its relatives. However, if you have an allergy or sensitivity to Candida you might experience a cross reaction against the related food yeast. In these cases you have to avoid any yeast-containing foods. Watch out for yeast also in stock cubes, Marmite or other sandwich spreads. If you are not sure if you are allergic to yeast, please leave out yeast as a precaution.

If you have tested sensitive for certain foods, you should only reintroduce them after the candida treatment.

Please do not drink great quantities of milk during the diet as this has shown to make the candida more persistent. The same applies to great quantities of calcium supplements (if you take much more than the recommended intake). Candia cannot digest lactose, however.

However, make sure you drink enough liquid as clean, still water, thinly brewed herbal or fruit teas etc.

Supply of nutrients
Always make sure that your intake of vitamins, minerals and trace elements is sufficient, as Candida sufferers are often deficient in them.

You are allowed to eat
- potatoes, brown rice and brown pasta, buckwheat
full grain bread, crisp bread, also sugar free wholemeal
baking products (those baked with yeast only if you are
not allergic to yeast)
- fruits which are not so sweet, fruit low on carbohydrates like strawberries
or raspberries etc. (= low GI and GL)
- meat and fish in all variations except in batter or a breadcrumb coat
- egg dishes with milk or milk products,
oven baked egg dishes
- milk and milk products without sugar, natural yoghurt
- all kinds of vegetables and salads
- mushrooms !!
- milk sugar (lactose)
- wholemeal bakery, nuts in moderation, muesli without sugar
- sugarfree chocolate, for example with Maltitol
- artificial sweeteners like aspartame, xylit, saccharin
- sugarfee drinks like mineral water, coffee,
teas, moderately dry wines and dry champagne

You should avoid
- white rice, white pasta
- yeast and all foods with yeast if you are allergic to yeast
- any kind of white bread or white flour products
- sweet fruits (like grapes, bananas, dates etc. with a high GI/GL)
- dried fruit
- egg dishes with white flour
- yoghurts or similar with sugar and/or sugared fruits
- glucose, household sugars, malt sugar,honey, fructose (!)
- any kinds of sweets, cakes, biscuits, custard
- sugar substitutes like sorbit or mannit
- sweet drinks like lemonades, coke, fruit juices,
sweet wines, beer, sweet liquors

Is a diet alone enough to kill Candida?
The special diet is vital to diminish the number of fungi but you will need the medication in addition as nobody can starve Candida to death. In emergency candida can switch to a protein metabolism and when seriously starved they start penetrating the intestinal lining to get sugars from the blood. This provokes the danger of a systemic fungal infection, which can cause even worse problems.

How should you eat after the diet phase?
After approx. 8 weeks of this diet you should not go back to a nutrition rich on sugar and sweets.
Instead you should try to eat healthy whole foods as long as possible, at least for 4 - 6 months. Whilst eating whole foods you should avoid all refined sugars, but you are encouraged to eat all kinds of fruit, including the sweet ones. White flour is not advisable anyway, as it is low on nutrients and fibre.

Whole foods contain a high percentage of vegetables, fruits and salads. They should be prepared very gently (not overcooked) and should supply you with moderate quantities of milk, milk products, eggs, fish and meats. Your diet should be versatile but not too rich.

Speak to your nutritionist or naturopath about a healthy diet.

—

Ute Allison ND, MSc Biol., BSc Sp. Sc., BNA, MRN, VDH | http://www.candidatest.co.uk

Tags: candida advice, candida article, candida diet, candida nutrition, candida supplement, candida test

The Times

Susan Clark gives advice about a career in naturopathy, raising defences against flu, boosting platelet count.

An excellent training course is available in your home town. It is run by the UK-based College of Naturopathic and Complementary Medicine (CNM), which has courses in London, Brighton, Birmingham, Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Galway. Established by qualified naturopaths, CNM has been running for ten years; each year, about 300 graduates emerge from the various courses to practise as naturopaths, homeopaths, herbalists or acupuncturists.

Every CNM student enrols on the basic medicine and naturopathy course, then chooses a specialist option, in homeopathy, herbal medicine, acupuncture or nutrition. If you plan to study part time, it can take as little as three years to qualify with a diploma that is recognised by the ANP (Association of Naturopathic Practitioners) and the BCMA (British Complementary Medicine Association). During this time, you will spend more than 200 hours in clinical practice, working with qualified practitioners, and have the opportunity to travel to hospitals in India, China or Sri Lanka. Read more >>

We are today enjoying longer lifespans, but when we take a closer look, we can see that during this time our health is generally worse. Often our illnesses remain once they begin and are managed rather than completely cured, e.g. joint pains, asthma, heart disease, digestive complaints such as IBS, acidity and hiatus hernia, infertility, eczema and allergies to name a few.

The field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is there ideally to address the problems that occur in the body, so that major diseases are ‘nipped in the bud’.

One important branch of CAM is detoxification. Detox has recently become more important as we are exposed to vast amounts of toxins in our modern world that were either unheard of 50 years ago or exposure to them was minimal, e.g. radiation, non-stick coatings, residues in drinking water. (1)

Every thing ingested, inhaled or applied has to be dealt with and safely eliminated by our bodies, so you can imagine the stress our elimination systems are constantly under and the overtime that the detox organs need to put in to eliminate these toxic substances. To help our bodies deal with this excess burden and to keep them functioning optimally cleansing has become a vital part of health programmes that are given to patients. Detoxification is a delicate process which needs close guidance by a qualified practitioner in order to give the best benefit.

I often give the example in talks, that done incorrectly detoxification is like sweeping the garage floor without opening its door, you can end up with toxins being dusted all around the body.With the right guidance detox can produce an invigorating cleansing of the entire system and an improvement in our body’s absorption of nutrients.

Sarah Rahman has managed Detox retreats with UK’s leading nutritionists Amanda Hamilton and Midi Fairgrieve, in Spain, Turkey and the UK and features in the Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses series being screened on UKTV Style Jan 08

Contact Sarah

www.thebodywhispers.co.uk
07957 631 466

(1) for a comprehensive list of toxins visit the detoxification page http://thebodywhispers.co.uk/detoxification.htm

CNM Grad Sarah Rahman on UKTV Style’s Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses

Sarah Rahman is a Naturopath and Medical Herbalist who works with the UKTV Style “Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses” detox team managing spa retreats in the UK, Turkey and Spain. She appears on the show practising cupping, a therapy called Baunscheidt, and dispensing advice on the use of medicinal herbs.

Having always been interested in natural medicine, she grew increasingly dissatisfied with the established response to general health issues. Sarah’s quest for knowledge and her own instinct lead her to the field of natural health. She gained professional qualifications in the field of Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine at The College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Sarah runs her own practice in South Manchester, dispensing her own herbal formulas for patients with a wide range of illnesses from asthma to infertility, providing in-home services to patients in Manchester and London, and managing detox weeks as part of the Life Detox team (The Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses - UKTV Style), both in the UK and abroad.

Sarah lectures, and writes articles for newspapers and magazines. Her professional and personal experiences have established her at the forefront of her field in Natural medicine.

Contact Sarah

07957 631 466
www.thebodywhispers.co.uk

02/01/2008

Dear Members,

An interesting turn of events we thought you might be interested in before the story disappears altogether. Remember all the noise from that short lived “furore” a while back over kick backs and corruption charges concerning the UN’s “Oil for Food” program? Well, long story short, LOTS of bribe money going into certain pockets and lots of Saddam Hussein’s oil going to certain countries, but not a lot of food arriving on the tables of the citizenry in Iraq.

As background; the UN’s Oil for Food relief effort, whose aim was to lessen civilian suffering under sanctions imposed after Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, was transformed into one of the biggest corporate corruption scandals in history.
Well, over the last few days, Agence France Presss, the London Daily Telegraph and the UK Guardian are all reporting that pharmaceutical giant’s, GlaxoSmithKline P.L.C., AstraZeneca P.L.C. and Eli Lilly and Co. are being investigated over “bribes allegedly paid to Saddam Hussein’s deposed Iraqi regime.”

Of note, the United States news reports (Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News) only cite GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca. They actually fail to mention that Eli Lilly’s conduct is also under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.

The more complete UK reports say that each of the companies have confirmed that they have been asked to hand over documents by Britain’s Serious Fraud Office, which AFP says is investigating “possible breaches of the United Nations’ oil-for-food sanctions program.”

AFP quotes a GlaxoSmithKline spokesman in London: “GSK does not believe that its employees or its agents in Iraq knowingly engaged in wrongdoing regarding the oil-for-food programme. … In fact GSK went to considerable lengths to co-operate with UK government authorities responsible for the UK administration of the programme and to impose anti-corruption measures when dealing with intermediaries in Iraq at a time when the environment was extremely volatile and difficult.”

It quotes an AstraZeneca spokeswoman in London: “AstraZeneca has received a request from the SFO for documents as part of its review of the oil-for-food programme in Iraq. The company will be providing the documentation.”

Note that the 2005 report http://www.iic-offp.org/story27oct05.htm detailing problems in the U.N. oil-for-food program concluded the Iraqi regime had demanded kickbacks from many foreign companies, and that bribes actually were paid in connection with “humanitarian” contracts for 2,253 companies, although only a few companies were named in the public report. Neither GSK nor AstraZeneca was among them. Yesterday, the SFO ordered GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly to hand over documents.

We’ll monitor this one for you!

All the best,

Rudi

Rudi C. Loehwing
Managing Director
World Institute of Natural Health Sciences - www.winhs.org

If your children or a relative are ever prescribed “mental health” drugs, you have good reason to be worried. Please circulate this.

To get an idea how toxic these drugs are the “Side Effects Made Simple” series from The Institute for Nearly Genuine Research is worth a visit, (apart from having a funny side, amidst the doom). And “toxic” means “poisonous”. A “toxic” drug is a poison.

In the “Science Made Simple Series” take notice of how often the drug company information is vague about:

• the so-called mental health disorders (which US psychiatrists vote annually on adding to their diagnostic manuals - a science free zone - no scientific proof the conditions exist needed)
• the causes of so-called mental health disorders
• how their drugs work - claiming for some things like how they work “theoreticallly” because there is no proof for these “theories”

The Institute for Nearly Genuine Research appears to be dedicated to providing information regarding psychiatry, which of course continues to be the least successful branch of medicine in history. On The Institute for Nearly Genuine Research’s website you can get some appreciation for why.

You will have to make your own mind up about the accuracy of the claims. I cannot vouch for the website but I have checked some of the information published. It should be verifiable by information published on the web from “official” sources. For example, from the Bristol Myers drug company website. Compare the information on aripiprazole - their version of this drug is “Abilify” (emphasis added):

“The symptoms of bipolar disorder are thought to be caused by an imbalance of key chemicals in the brain” - ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) Demonstrated Efficacy as Long-Term Maintenance Therapy from Bristol Myers drug company website

with

“The symptoms of bipolar disorder are thought to be caused by an imbalance of key chemicals in the brain” Bipolar Made Simple from The Institute for Nearly Genuine Research.

Note the words “thought to be caused by” - as if they cannot make up their minds - which of course is not so important if you are in the meantime making lots of money - you don’t really have to do you.

In the UK aripiprazole has been linked to 22 deaths over 445 reports of suspected adverse reactions in a total of 1054 adverse reactions - source UK’s Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Agency: www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/public/ documents/sentineldocuments/dap_1152181398407.pdf

In the USA in two years Abilify has been linked to 3,979 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions http://www.psychdrugdangers.com/?drugtable=aripiprazole. These include 98 completed suicides, 103 deaths not by suicide, 31 unsuccessful suicides, 4 murders and making 11 people seriously contemplate murder and 40 people seriously contemplate suicide.

Adverse drug reaction reporting is estimated to be between 90 to 99 percent under reported so these reports of suspected adverse reactions are the tip of the iceberg.

Odd that GlaxoSmithKline-connected Dr Ben Goldacre of The Guardian’s Badscience column does not tell us all the time about these psychiatric quack claims the way he is constantly attacking herbalists, nutritionists, homeopaths and the like. This of course can have nothing whatsoever to do with them being a threat to drug company profits. Nor can it have anything to do with Ben working at the Maudsley Hospital, England, home of the UK’s Institute of Psychiatry. And it can of course have nothing whatsoever to do with GlaxoSmithKline making around 5 billion pounds sterling a year in psychiatric drug sales. They do give a lot of money to researchers in psychiatry but that can surely have nothing to do with this either.

And do not be deceived by drugs only meant to be used on adults (presumably on the basis that if adults get poisoned they are old enough to know better). Some psychistrists have no problem prescribing them for kids too.

- Clifford G. Miller

Free e-book launched exploring anti-nutritional lobby groups

Have you ever wondered why there is so much opposition to nutritional approaches for today’s major health issues? Is it really because the science is weak, or is it more to do with politics and money?

I was fascinated to read the free e-book, published this month on the internet, by Martin Walker entitled Cultural Dwarfs and Junk Journalism - Ben Goldacre, Quackbusting and Corporate Science. It explores the associations Guardian columnist Ben Goldacre, and other ‘quackbusters’ have with an organised anti-nutritional medicine agenda and organisations funded by the pharmaceutical industry. Those familiar with Ben Goldacre’s inability to expose the ‘bad science’ of drugs and antipathy towards nutritional medicine will not be surprised.

Martin Walker, author of Dirty Medicine and Brave New World of Zero Risk, looks at the quackbusting work of Ben Goldacre and others, placing them in the context of the global lobby groups that support the chemical, pharmaceutical, medical and processed food industries. It’s an intriguing read. For the first time Walker’s work focuses on this lobby’s attacks on independent nutritionists, including myself, and traces the history of quackbuster campaigns against vitamin and food supplements.

Walker is giving away this publication as an e-book, in the hope that it will help people organise in defence of nutritional medicine.

Like all of Walker’s work it is an erudite and detailed read that will certainly enlighten you to the darker side of those organising against non-pharmaceutically based medicine in general, and nutritional medicine in particular. The e-book can be downloaded for free from www.slingshotpublications.com and Walker hopes that many will place it on their web sites to be accessed and downloaded.

I hope you do take the time to read this and let others know about it because literally tens of thousands of people die every year from prescription drugs when better alternatives already exist and millions more suffer unnecessarily and die prematurely from ignorance, some scared off from trying effective, safe, nutritional approaches by individuals like Ben Goldacre and his fellow quackbusters. If this makes you angry do something about it - let others know about this book and, if you’re concerned with the Guardian’s one-sided view on medicine why not write to the editor of the Guardian at home@guardian.co.uk. Here’s my letter - http://www.patrickholford.com/content.asp?id_Content=2183.

You can also see excerpts of the book at www.holfordmyths.com, our new site for countering false allegations.

Martin J. Walker, Cultural Dwarfs and Junk Journalism: Ben Goldacre, quackbusting and corporate science. Slingshot Publications. January 2008. Available free from www.slingshotpublications.com.

- - -

www.patrickholford.com - 100% health for life

Diploma UK and EU

• Acupuncture
• Herbal Medicine
• Homeopathy
• Naturopathic Nutrition

Diploma International

• Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Herbal Medicine
• Higher Diploma in Naturopathy
• Naturopathy Post Graduate
• Naturopathic Nutrition
• Higher Diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition
• Naturopathic Nutrition Post-graduate

Short Courses

• Holistic Massage
• Reflexology
• Kinesiology
• Indian Head Massage
• Nutrition for Everyday Living

H:MC21 was set up in September 2007 to inform the public about homeopathy and its relation to orthodox medicine. It will do this through research, publication and campaigning.

Campaign

Our first project is to counter the wave of negative publicity by collecting signatures to the following declaration:

Homeopathy worked for me

If you would like to sign this declaration now, please visit http://www.hmc21.org. You can also go to our Campaign page to find out more.

Everyone who has benefited from homeopathy can sign this declaration.

It not only gives a voice to those people whose experience is denied by the recent attacks, it will also, for the first time, begin to establish the extent to which homeopathy has helped the general public in the UK, whether through prescription or self-medication.

March

We plan to organise a march on the 22 June 2008 to coincide with the end of Homeopathy Awareness Week. Organisers will take the complete list of names to No.10 Downing Street with the demand that the NHS honours the commitment to homeopathy enshrined in its charter, and that positive steps be taken to enable everyone who needs homeopathy to obtain it through the NHS.

With your help, it is possible for us to collect at least 250,000 signatures by next June!

The College of Naturopathic Medicine is pleased to offer the following short courses in body therapies and nutrition, now available at our London college only. Please use the pictures and links below to browse the individual course details, or download the course brochure. Contact us for more information and reserve your place today !

Stephanie Maclean competed in triathlons since she was 18. She’s even been part of Great Britain’s junior elite triathlon team. But when she was racing for Great Britain in the World Championships in Australia she began suffering from bloating, irregular periods, and was diagnosed with [tag]Irritable Bowel Syndrome[/tag]. The condition made her miserable and hindered her on and off the race track. In desperation she visited a [tag]naturopath[/tag] as doctors weren’t able to help - little did she know that this would change her life forever and even start her on a new career path. Read more >>

Michael Tierra, the world renowned herbalist from the US has become a patron of the CNM - the College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Tierra was visiting the UK to give a series of lectures to students across the CNMs nationwide network of colleges about his experience of herbal medicine

Tierra said, Im honored that this wonderful institution is basing part of its herbal medicine course upon my experience and knowledge, from the teachings in my book Planetary Herbology.

Im delighted that the school has asked me to be a patron. Ive a long relationship with the college. I feel that CNM has the potential of continuing to promote my teachings of Planetary in the UK.

Hermann Keppler, Principal of the CNM, Were really pleased that such an outstanding herbalist as Michael has agreed to be a patron of the college. He has been a real inspiration to our students and we look forward to welcoming him to the CNM as a patron, as well as a lecturer and teacher.

Tierra was asked to be a patron, following a lecture that he gave at the London College.

* * *

Following is an overview of Michael Tierras lecture in London and some of the questions that the CNM asked him in regards to his outstanding work and achievements in herbal medicine.

Michael Tierra Lecture

The fundamental philosophy behind Michael Tierras learning and experience is that we should not confine ourselves to one system of medicine but take advantage of the knowledge and wisdom of all cultures, our planetary wisdom which provides us with universal principles for mankind, bringing the best from all these cultures together. This is what his book, Planetary Herbology, and his teaching is based upon.

Tierra believes that assessment of the patient is the most important element to herbal medicine but by understanding and determining the energy of a person, rather than just prescribing on the basis of disease, as this is not always the most appropriate option.

This differential diagnosis is fundamental to the practice of herbal medicine, and is something the ancient Chinese and Indian cultures have tended to be use more than Western civilization. This diagnosis is based on many different principles: a persons constitution, whether they are hot or cold, the yin and yang of a person (homeostasis), their tongue, how they walk and talk, what they are deficient in, what do they have in excess.

Michael Tierras experience also highlights the historical, cultural and fundamental concept of Tri-dosha. This defines three different humors which early Middle Eastern and Greek medicine was based upon. These three humors are

• vata: wind/nerve-based constitution
• kapha: water/fluid-based constitution
• pitta: fire based constitution

The basis to all herbal medicine using this principle is that these three humors need to be balanced in a person and remedies can be used to help achieve this when that is not the case.

Tierra argues that in Western practices these energies are not embraced and there is no traditional energy classification of them. Also using differential diagnosis is more complex than just basing diagnosis on a disease and treating that.

Therefore Tierra acknowledges that in herbal medicine you do have to try out and test combinations. Although mainstream medicine has its place, the advantage of herbal is that it is generally mild in form and will not completely overcome the nature of the person like orthodox medicine can with the result of a plethora of possible adverse reactions.

As Tierra points out,

Herbs are the first medicine of humanity and we turn to them because we expect them to be mild and forgiving. Having said this, in the hands of a well trained Planetary Herbalist, their benefits are enormous

The Tri-dosha energies that Tierra describes can be balanced out by Triphala, three fruits. These, in the right combination and context for a person, bring the body back to balance by eliminating the toxins that the body does not need, without weakening the system.

Tierra asks us, what is a toxin? Its not necessarily a poison or something that is bad for you on a consistent basis but is basically what your body doesnt need. Therefore anything can be toxic to you and detoxification is getting rid of what you dont need at any particular time.

However to detoxify you have to have the energy to eliminate natural toxins which is something that Tierra believes many methods do not consider. Its not good to just eat raw vegetables or only salad for example as the body needs energy to detoxify. If you dont balance you are just overwhelming your body with one thing, that in turn could make it toxic to you!

After studying other cultures herbal medicine, Tierra has introduced Triphala to the western world which exemplifies his philosophy to bring the highest healing wisdom and knowledge from all cultures to benefit all. Triphala uniquely promotes balanced detoxification and elimination while acting as a mild tonic thus causing no deficiencies. It is excellent for helping digestion, liver function, while promoting bowel regularity even for those with an atonic or laxative dependent lower bowel.

Tierra advises that Triphala can be used as a base around which other remedies can be added.

The three fruits that are part of Triphala are

• amla (emblica myrobalans) the most important herb in the world and the best known source of vitamin C, an anti-oxidant par excellence, that is pretty good for everything, as well as being impervious to ageing
• behada (beleric myrobalan) which is good for cardio-vascular
• harada (chebulic myrobalan) for balancing the body and mind

An Indian saying supports the importance of this system of herbology to the Indian tradition, If you dont have a mother, dont worry, as long as you have Triphala!

As well as advice on the benefits of Triphala, Tierra also was asked questions by students about different issues including the problem in the West with allergies to milk and dairy.

The case of Milk

There are plenty of people in the UK who claim to have a dairy or milk intolerance but one explanation that Tierra gives to this problem is something he has learned from India and that Rudolf Ballentine refers to in his book, Diet and Nutrition: A Holistic Approach.

In India, no-one drinks cold milk. Milk constitutes of long-chain protein and is very difficult to pass through the liver when its cold. However, when scalded it is broken down into smaller parts which therefore helps the body digest it easily. For traditional lacto-vegetarian Hindu people and those following yoga, scalded warm milk with ginger and honey or the Ayurvedic herbal formula Chyavanprash is used as chicken or meat soup cooked with herbs is used by the Chinese to strengthen and build individuals who are constitutionally weak and deficient.

Tierra also points out that when you feed yourself you have to be good to yourself and feed your ancestors. If you are a vegetarian you do need to consider what your body is missing that your ancestors would have had. He also advises to take everything in moderation and be realistic in your expectations. You might not always be able to have organic milk but any milk is better than nothing for some. Tierra also points out that our society eats muscle (meat) rather than the organs of animals, where all the goodness comes from. In traditional cultures, as well as the Native Americans it was traditional that one is recovering from illness or is weak, they are fed the cooked heart and liver to promote speedy recovery. Similarly in China if one has a heart problem, then heart is eaten, a kidney problem, then kidneys are eaten it is important to realize the principle that like treats like. In all of this, only the finest sources of natural raised, organic animal foods should be considered.

It is possible to be healthy as a lacto-vegetarian but it must be done consciously and carefully. Being a vegetarian does not simply mean leaving the meat out of ones diet.

* * *

Following the lecture we asked Michael a few questions about his experience

Where did your philosophy of Planetary Herbology come from?

I never started out to study one type of medicine but my interest began as I was fascinated by plants in the forest. It was later when I got the opportunity to study with Chinese and Indian herbalists and others that it became clear to me that utilizing all systems together made total sense, using only one seems preposterous to me!

Each tradition has its strong points and I wanted to integrate these, which Ive be doing for 35 years and which Planetary Herbology, also the title of the book I have written on this subject, is based on upon.

What your advice for future herbalists?

The most important thing for herbalists is diagnosis and Western herbal medicine doesnt have the best practice in regards to diagnosis, not in the way Indian and Chinese medicine has. We can learn a lot from them.

Herbal medicine is an art, and yes, its a difficult art - you have to know and understand the herbs, the combinations of herbs and how these will affect different people. All I can say is that you learn through practice with formulas and treatments.

A person can know just a little bit and be effective. Any person can do good with herbs, and the thing is, if you dont get it right or make a mistake they are much more forgiving. You need to test with and experiment formulas to see how the patient reacts.

However herbalists, if they want to be the best, have to go much deeper. They need a wide knowledge of more herbs to be top level experts. Really good herbalists should know as many herbs as possible. I would recommend that an herbalist really needs to know and practice with around 300 herbs.

Herbs are like music, with each key an herb. If you are playing a symphony you cant miss a key or play with some of the keys missing.

As far as practicalities go for having this many herbs, tinctures are useful as they dont take up so much space and last a long time, so you can be mobile with them.

To be a healer takes some courage, there is always a risk involved. You have to learn to trust your elders, their experience and their mistakes.

What do you think is the greatest threat to herbal medicine?

Wisdom of each culture is more important than the herbs and were in danger of losing the wisdom of the world.

Another huge threat to herbalists is regulation of herbs by those who know nothing about them. The Government doesnt even consult herbalists when they make these regulations. Until they respect this knowledge and wisdom we hold, it will be regulation by idiots and fools. Herbalists need to encourage a way around this otherwise it will be impossible to practice in years to come.

Do you see the problems that our environment is facing as an issue?

Well, we do need to consider the availability of herbs in context and be careful with them. Lady Slipper in North America is an example of this, it is the most powerful herb for the nervous system but its not cultivated in the US so its endangered. A reputable herbalist will consider these issues and ensure that if any herb is under threat that they seek out an alternative.

You really brought Echinacea to the west - what do you think about its popularity now?

I never imagined Echinacea to become mainstream as its become. It is fantastic but I think its being used often for the wrong reasons. There is no doubting its benefits though, its anti-biotic, resistant to diseases and can be used against bacterial infection.

What is your most memorable healing story?

There are almost too many to mention but some stand out more than others. For example, the old man who I treated who had pancreatic cancer but following a course of herbs, it went completely into remission.

Another time, I was on holiday and surfing alongside this young girl who was holidaying with her mother. We all got talking and once they discovered who I was the mother hugged me and said, You saved my daughters life. It turned out that her daughter had a heart defect as an infant. The mother had read about my experience of Echinacea* and had prescribed this to her daughter. It actually healed her daughter and prevented her from a life-time of open heart surgery.

There was another man I saw who had blood poisoning and was close to having his leg cut off. Using herbs we were able to get the blood poisoning into remission and thus avoided the amputation.

What do you think about the resistance of orthodox medicine to herbal?

There is a place for western medicine and it can effective but it all comes down to a risk versus benefit. With herbs in general the medical establishment doesnt think there is benefit to them so if anything happens they see them as an unnecessary risk without any benefit. In reality though, herbs are pretty safe.

For example 140,000-218,000 have died from pharmaceutical drugs1*. and 16,500 have died from the use of from NSAID (non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (includes ibuprofen) 2*. Less than 10 people may have had adverse effects from comfrey and died so its banned.

The problem with the medical establishment is it is driven on fear and motivated on fear and everything is dealt with as a crisis.

*AM. Jrl. Med. 105(B) 31S-8S)

* * *

*For more information on Michael Tierra, his experience with Echinacea or to buy his book Planetary Herbology visit www.planetherbs.com.

Often we are aware of clinics that treat adults with complementary therapies, but CNM student Jo Rowkins is the web manager for The Dolphin House Shop, which supports the work of The Childrens Clinic in Brighton the only natural therapy clinic for babies and children in the country.

Where did you first hear about the CNM?
I came across the CNM a few years ago when I was researching nutrition and naturopathy colleges on the internet. After I found out about the CNM I discovered that a friend of mind had also just enrolled on to the naturopathy course. She spoke highly of her experiences as a new student at the college.

What first attracted you to training with the CNM over its competitors?
I liked the fact that the CNM nutrition course came from a naturopathic view point and included teachings from Chinese and ayurvedic wisdoms, as well as including a detailed scientific starting point and lots of clinical practice. For me it ticked all the boxes.

What was your profession before you enrolled with the CNM?
I enrolled with the CNM last summer and at that stage I had already quit my previous profession in the fashion industry in London. After I left I spent lots of time travelling the world. I fell in love with India and decided to train as a yoga teacher at the Sivananda ashram in southern India. I arrived in Brighton three and a half years ago and spent a couple of years helping my twin sister run her beautiful lifestyle boutique, The Lavender Room (www.lavenderroom.co.uk), before deciding to enrol with the CNM to retrain as a nutritionist.

Tell me about The Childrens Clinic in Brighton
The Childrens Clinic is a unique natural therapy clinic for babies and children the only one of its kind in the country. It provides a wide range of complementary therapies as a safe and effective alternative to the use of drugs. Therapies include acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, nutritional therapy, herbal medicine, creative arts counselling, healing and baby massage. The Childrens Clinic is a charity providing treatments on a sliding scale of fees according to parental income. The Childrens Clinic also offers training facilities and runs an outreach service in the community, offering homeopathy, play therapy and osteopathy in several of Brightons more deprived living areas.

The Dolphin House is also a clinic of natural therapies for adults. However, adults pay normal rates, since their treatments are not supported by the charity. It is situated next door and sells lots of organic and natural skin care products as well as stocking quality supplements, herbal remedies, books, essential oils and natural remedies such as eczema creams. The knowledgeable staff, some of which are also practitioners, are on hand to provide advice on a wide range of health issues.

All profits from the shop go back into the charity, The Childrens Clinic.

What is your role within The Childrens Clinic?
I work part-time in The Dolphin House Shop and am also the web manager. I am writing the content for the web shop as well as trying to increase awareness of the work of the organisation by conventional PR activities as well as online coverage such as getting links with like-minded businesses and organisations. The web shop will be a great opportunity to bring more money into the charity. You can buy all your favourite natural products online knowing that your money is supporting The Childrens Clinic - it doesn’t get better than that!

What are you hoping to achieve by gaining a diploma with the CNM?
At this stage I dont know what I will be doing when I finish my course. I am simply following my passion. As a Naturopathic Nutritionist I hope to diversify in my work as much as possible clinic, writing, researching, and by the end of my three year course Im hoping to have a specialist area of interest to focus on.

* * *

To find out more about The Childrens Clinic and The Dolphin Shop please visit www.thechildrensclinic.org.uk and www.thedolphinhouseshop.org.uk.

Dear CNM,

Thank you for your continuing support for the Talbot Childrens Home in Nepal. CNM students and tutors have raised 520 this summer. A good thing too as Sioux Talbot is now looking after 28 children. Below is a letter from one youngster from those 24 children found in a small room he calls the warehouse. Hes one of the children who actually has parents, but they cant afford to look after him and so had sent him to boarding school, which turned out to be fraud.

Best wishes, Marianne Thatcher

——————
Dear Friend,

Hello.

I used to live in a place called Godam (’Warehouse’) before coming here. It was bad out there for us as we were not given food to eat. We were weak and looked like we were about to die. We had to go collecting firewood in the morning and they used to send us to beg. We used to make a lot of money through begging and had to give it all to them. They did not give us clothes to wear and bedding/bed to sleep on. We used to cry and sleep on the floor with nothing or with very little sleeping items. They used to cook too little and we were never given enough to eat. We used to bring money in through begging and they used to spend it on their own food. They did not allow us to have a single chocolate. The school teachers used to give us better things to eat at school at times.

The food we were given and made to eat was like that prepared for animals. They used to eat better food but we never had a chance to have proper food. We lived without proper food and cried many times but they never let us eat. The money sent to us by our parents was also snatched and taken away. They took our money away and spent it on food - but never gave us to eat if asked - they used to beat us. We were not allowed to keep/see the money sent by our parents. We always cried and lived as we were made to sleep in such a place where cows are kept. We were bullied also every now and then.

We are living in Godawari at present. Food and lodging is far far better here. We’ve got a ‘big brother’ and a mother ‘Mummy’ (foreigner) here. Big brother who we have here loves us, more than our parents did. Mummy from abroad also loves us very much. We even do not want to go to our home at present as we are being looked after and cared for nicely. We are provided with better food and better sleeping facilities. We are given a variety of clothes. We are facilitated with warm water showers. We are being cared for better and we are registered or have admission to a school. We are cared for and provided with whatever is needed for us. We have proper bed with mattress. Writing books and pens are provided, big brother and mother provide us with everything. There were other friends at the centre before we arrived. We are 28 in total now. We get to eat egg and drink tea at breakfast. It is very nice for us.

Jaishi Ram Shahi
Age 11

——————

The Talbot Centre For Street Children in Nepal charity was set-up in response to the plight of the estimated 1,500 homeless children in Kathmandu, Nepal, one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. A recent UN report states there are over 30,000 street children in Nepal. Over 8,000 children have lost one or both parents and more than 4,000 have been displaced due to the ongoing armed conflict between government forces and (CPN) Maoist rebels. There are thought to be over 4 million children in poverty in the country.

Denied not only their rights as children but also their childhood, at risk from various forms of exploitation and abuse; over half of the street children are addicted to glue sniffing and many are exposed to intravenous drug use, among them about 10% are believed to be HIV infected.

Unlike the UK, there is no access to free medical treatment, when the street children become ill or injured, they can literally die on the streets. Please visit www.talbotcentre.org.uk to learn how you can help. Donations and volunteers are needed to help the children of Nepal.

Sioux Talbot - siouxtalbot@msn.com - 01202 247 858 - www.talbotcentre.org.uk

Registered Charity No: 1105514

Ian Rowe graduated from the CNM in July 2005 as a fully qualified Naturopath and Acupuncturist. To gain experience and clinical hours during his studies with the CNM, he and his fellow students took part in an arranged trip to China to study Acupuncture at the Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

On the first day at the hospital the students met Dr Sun, the Dean, who discussed their wants and needs. They were happy to provide just about anything, says Ian. In addition to the acupuncture classes, we decided to go for some evening classes in Tai Chi, taught by one of the doctors who was a national Wu Shu champion. The students had a guided tour of the hospital and were given opportunities to spend a day in the other departments, including the TCM pharmacy and the Tui Na X-ray department.

The students working day started from 8.00am until 11.00am and then recommenced at 2.00pm until 4.00pm. This was the standard, but work continued well beyond these times and the average week of the TCM doctor is working every day, with just reduced hours on Sundays. I found this was more than plenty of time to observe and gain knowledge not available in the UK and the doctors have a lot of patients to see, so it was good to give them a break from us!.

The seven students were split off into two groups and the experiences of the groups were quite different. Ian reports, My group carried out more cupping rather than needling, but we were all asked to demonstrate our standards to the doctor supervising us. Most of the time the students observed and have come back with additional techniques that were completely new to them. Says Ian, The depth of knowledge of the doctors over there is staggering, although tongue and pulse analysis is used very little. TCM is truly a vast subject and more than one lifetimes worth of learning.

Away from their studies Ian and his fellow students found many things to do. The junior doctors at Jiangsu arranged for them to have a foot massage at the hospital next door. The styles offered are gentle, normal and strong, but painful, excrutiating and agony may be more appropriate! By all accounts it is a white knuckle experience, but their diagnostic skills are scarily accurate as Ian found out, I was very seriously impressed as medical tests since my return have backed up what I was told about myself. Away from the hospital the students also spent time in the mountain areas with its amazing views and went shopping at the main district about a mile away from the hospital.

It is considered good manners in China to take the lecturers out for a meal at the end of each stay, which the students did. It also gave them the opportunity to give thanks for their support and put an end to a very enjoyable stay.

Finally from Ian, Thank you CNM for the opportunity and I would recommend the trip to anyone wishing to advance their knowledge in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

A Case Study, by Ian Rowe

Whist I have come back with many case histories from the huge number of patients we saw, I will use one patient that presented a very acute problem. I would not expect quite the same in my current clinic and the treatment given as well as the results is an excellent example of the power or Acupuncture in an acute situation.

Patient:
Female, 27 years old, slim build.
Presentation of Chief Complaint: The patient was helped into the clinic room and on to the treatment couch supported on either side by two friends. The patient was ashen and doubled over with abdominal pain, clutching her lower abdomen.
Description of Complaint:
The patient was on day one of her period and had had extreme pain in her lower abdomen since earlier that morning. Shed previously vomited once due to the intensity of the pain. She described her whole body as feeling cold.
Past Medical History:
Patient has a previous 10 year history of abdominal pain at the beginning of her period, but only slight and does not usually seek treatment. The pain usually presents itself on day one of her menstrual cycle. Due to the acute presentation, no further questioning or examination was required.
Diagnosis:
Stagnation of Qi and blood.
Points Used:
Ren 4, Ren 6, Stomach 28, Spleen 6, Spleen 8, Electro-stimulation to Ren 4, and Stomach 28.
Outcome:
After electro stimulation was applied to the selected acupuncture points, the pain had completely gone after 10-15 minutes. After a further 20 minutes the patient was walking out of the clinic smiling.
Recommendation:
Patient was advised to come to the clinic one week before future periods for further consultation and treatment.

The Talbot Centre For Street Children in Nepal charity was set-up in response to the plight of the estimated 1,500 homeless children in Kathmandu, Nepal, one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. A recent UN report states there are over 30,000 street children in Nepal. Over 8,000 children have lost one or both parents and more than 4,000 have been displaced due to the ongoing armed conflict between government forces and (CPN) Maoist rebels. There are thought to be over 4 million children in poverty in the country.

Denied not only their rights as children but also their childhood, at risk from various forms of exploitation and abuse; over half of the street children are addicted to glue sniffing and many are exposed to intravenous drug use, among them about 10% are believed to be HIV infected.

Unlike the UK, there is no access to free medical treatment, when the street children become ill or injured, they can literally die on the streets. Please visit www.talbotcentre.org.uk to learn how you can help. Donations and volunteers are needed to help the children of Nepal.

Sioux Talbot - siouxtalbot@msn.com - 01202 247 858 - www.talbotcentre.org.uk

Registered Charity No: 1105514

Complemed Therapy Centre Ltd, an Integrated health centre in Stretford, Manchester, has won the Award for Best Complementary Practice. Complemed Therapy - the brainchild of Osteomyologist Abbas Mhar of CNM Manchester - was recognised in two of seven categories. Abbas Mhar himself was the runner up in the Complementary Practitioner of the Year category.

The first Complementary and Natural Healthcare Awards, a major event to honour individuals who have made a special contribution to the Complementary Healthcare industry, took place recently at the world-class ExCel Exhibition centre in London’s Docklands.

Complemed Therapy Centre Ltd was established in 2000 and has grown to incorporate an enviable choice of complementary therapies, some of which are:

• Manual Manipulative Therapy
• Advanced Reflexology
• LLLT - Laser Therapy
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Nutritional Therapy
• Remedial Medical Massage
• Homeopathy
• Psychotherapy

The centre where practitioners encourage, where necessary, integration of complementary and conventional medicine, also provides nutritional and lifestyle advice.

Abbas Mhar was presented with the award by Michael For, Chief Executive of The Prince of Wales’ Foundation for Integrated Health.

Mr Mhar said, “I am overjoyed to accept the Best Complementary Practice award on behalf of Complemed Therapy Centre, I am also honoured to be runner up in the Practitioner of the Year category. The standard of the competition has been high and I look forward to being involved again next year. These awards are a great step forward for out industry and it feels very good to be recognised with our own field.”

Contact: 0161 865 0259 or visit www.complemedtherapy.co.uk

Many people feel that they have overindulged during the Christmas season. Doing the rounds of Christmas parties, Christmas dinners and Christmas leftovers can cause lots of us to go into January feeling bloated, tired, a little down and somewhat toxic. Luckily there is a lot we can do to pep ourselves up using nutrition and natural health products.

Post-Christmas is a great time to have a detox, assisting your body to cleanse itself of metabolic by-products and toxins which have accumulated over the festive season.

Avoid toxic food
The first step is to avoid taking in any substances which will contribute to the bodys toxic load. This means staying away from alcohol, sugar, dairy and processed foods in general. Try to eat as naturally as possible, consuming foods in as close to their natural state as you can.

Heres a sample menu:

Morning snack: oatcakes spread with hummus

Lunch: mixed leaf salad containing chopped fresh vegetables, a hard-boiled free range egg and some lemon juice.

Afternoon snack: handful of mixed unsalted, raw nuts and seeds and a piece of fruit

Dinner: lentil and vegetable soup

This diet avoids foods which the body finds difficult to digest, such as meats and processed grains. Eating regularly is important to balance blood sugar levels (preventing energy fluctuations) and avoid cravings for carbohydrates and sweet things.

Drink water
Consume at least two litres of filtered water throughout the day. Avoid caffeine rather than coffee, experiment with herbal teas. Nettle and dandelion are particularly good for de-toxing. Rooibos has a stronger taste and is full of antioxidants.

Support your liver
Focusing on the liver is an important part of a detox. The liver is the organ which acts as a filter, trapping and processing any ingested toxins. Therefore it is crucial to support the liver during any kind of detox programme. This can be done by increasing the amount of liver-friendly foods consumed dark green leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts and eggs.

Milk Thistle and Vitamins
Supplements can be very beneficial to boost and support liver function. A herb called Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) has been clinically proven to increase liver detoxification pathways and protect the health of the liver. B vitamins are also crucial to liver health, and taking a high-dose multivitamin can help detox. Look for one with about 50mg of each of the B vitamins.

Exercise
Dont forget that exercise is important to boost metabolism and release mood-lifting endorphins.

Sleep well
Getting enough sleep is also key to good health and healing. When you are at rest, your body is doing its regeneration and repair work. Make sure you are getting at least 8 hours sleep a night and avoid keeping late hours there is an old saying that an hours sleep before midnight is worth two hours after midnight.

You should try and stick to a detox plan for at least two weeks - see how you get on and discover what a difference it makes to you.

- Debbie Cotton, Naturopath and Lecturer for the CNM

1. Make sure you look good for all the Christmas parties - cleanse your skin

Water
Drink as much water as you can before and during the festive season. The more you can help the kidneys to cleanse toxins, the less work your skin has to do, so the more glowing you will look!

Nettle tea can help too
A few cups of this a day will assist your skin to clear.

Try to avoid saturated fats, too many sugars and the over-indulgence with alcohol as these all contribute to grey or blemished skin.

Include foods with lots of anti-oxidants in to your diet Orange, red and yellow vegetables, berries and green tea are all great choices to help with that lovely Christmas glow!

2. How to avoid getting flu or colds over the festive season - and what to do if you do get run-down

Christmas tends to be a period of over-indulgence and under-nourishment. We work hard and play- hard, which in turn leads to a burnt out immune system. Our bodies become more susceptible to colds due to the extra stresses that we put on them.

Sleep

Try to get as much sleep as is possible, during the festive months we seem to lose our normal patterns. Avoid coffee to overcome the problem, as this will only make things worse. A run-down tired body is always more susceptible to colds and flu.

If you do end up with a cold, put yourself to bed! There is nothing worse than spreading around the unwanted Christmas bugs, and the quicker that you can rest up and get over your illness, the less chance you have of spending the whole of Christmas run down and miserable.

Vitamin C boost

Eat foods that are high in Vitamin C, citrus fruit, berries, orange, red and green vegetables will help to keep the immune high.

Echinacea

Echinacea is a fantastic herb for killing and avoiding a cold. Taken when you are well it will help to raise the immune system to hopefully stave off the winter bugs. If you do get a cold, taken in a slightly higher dose, it will help the cold to run its short course, and stop it from becoming chronic. The trick with Echinacea is to get the best quality available. If you are unsure you can always ask your Naturopath.

3. How to avoid the hangover and how to cure it

Good food first

Try and eat before you start drinking. A meal that contains protein and good fats (fats don’t have to be pizza and kebabs!) will help to slow down the absorption of alcohol and the nasty effects that can occur from getting drunk too quickly.

Water too

Dont dehydrate yourself. For every alcoholic drink have a glass of water alongside it. The major cause of a hangover is purely the fact that your body is dehydrated, so aim to drink at least 2 litres of water the next day as well.

Nutrient boost

Replace nutrients that alcohol washes away! Lack of these nutrients contributes to the hangover sensation you may feel the next morning. Magnesium and B vitamins are usually first to go. Taking a good multi-vitamin the night before and the morning after will keep that listless feeling at bay.

Secret Weapon

A Naturopath’s secret herb to try and stay sober or to clean up in the morning is milk thistle (Silybum marianum). A good quality tincture or tablet in the correct dose can do the trick to really ward off the symptoms of a hangover. And if you have really over-indulged, the homeopathic remedy Nux vomica is great for knocking a hangover sensation on the head.

4. Eat well and be happy the festive food which will help you and your body through the season of goodwill

We often spend Christmas eating more than we usually do. If you choose your foods carefully, you dont have to suffer for the next few weeks with symptoms of over-indulgence!

It’s all in the turkey…

There is a lot to be said about turkey, its a great source of protein, but its also a fantastic source of the amino acid trytophan, which is the precursor to the feel- good chemical in our brain. Isnt it amazing that its the food of choice on such a feel good day? When choosing a turkey, try to pay that bit extra for free-range or organic, so that you know that you are getting all of the benefits without any of the nasty additives as well.

Christmas nibbles

If you are preparing nibbles, add in lots of cut up vegetables to go alongside your hummus or home-made avocado dip. They are still yummy, but you are getting some fantastic benefits from the nutrients that you are adding in to your diet, and it also cuts down on the amount of crisps or sweets that you consume.

Good quality olives are high in essential fatty acids, so they can be another beneficial addition to your nibble plate

Trying to care for yourself with good quality food, have your fridge stocked with great vegetables, good fats such as avocados, olives and fish and good quality proteins, such as organic eggs, nuts and seeds, lentils or beans. That way you don’t have to move far from the couch to the fridge to combat the next day munchies.

5. What to do if you do over-indulge on Christmas Day cures for indigestion

Ok, weve all done it weve overindulged and we feel terrible after wards. There are a few things we can do to over come this.

A little exercise

Try going for a brief walk. This will help to get everything moving so that you can make some space in the digestive system.

Add some fruit

Try adding some lemon to your water, the bitterness and the slight acidity will help to support digestion of the excess food that you have swallowed!

Pineapple and papaya are high in enzymes that support digestion. Serve them as after dinner fruits to try and break down the excess.

If all else fails, take a couple of digestive enzyme tablets. These again will help to break down the excess food that you have been indulging in!