Sleep hygiene is the term given to the habits, behaviours and environment we set in order to obtain a regular quality night's sleep. If you are someone that struggles with poor sleep quality, insomnia, fatigue, hormone imbalance, weight regulation, inflammation or chronic disease then focusing on your sleep hygiene is a great way to set yourself up for a great night's sleep.

We all want to wake up and feel beautiful, radiant and confident in our own skin. While we should be able to do this without a second thought, regardless of colour or texture, sometimes underlying conditions or shifts in the body can get in the way of our beautiful glow and spirit.

There is a strong connection between the thyroid and gut health. Studies have shown that low thyroid hormone production can lead to leaky gut and impaired digestive health can impair thyroid function. Optimal digestion supports a reduction in the antibodies associated with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto's and Graves.

Understand the complexities of a condition known as SIBO and how it can be a driving factor in thyroid conditions.

We’re all trying our best to live clean, green lives. It’s one thing that we know is beneficial for our overall health. Only, these days the world we live in makes it harder to escape them. Environmental toxin exposure is concerning; from the food we eat and the water we drink to the products we clean our bodies and homes with. More often than not they’re laden with high doses of toxins that have devastating effects on our health in the long-run.

The thyroid gland is a powerhouse in the human body. But because a lot of it’s magic happens behind the scenes in the endocrine (hormonal) system, when things go wrong they can be hard to pick up on. There are a few telltale signs that we tend to think nothing of, but when they begin to arise collectively (or sometimes on their own), they begin to point to a thyroid problem.

Magnesium is one of my favourite nutrients.

I fist became acquainted with magnesium back when I was a first year naturopath student. 

I used to consume coffee like it was going out of fashion in order to get me through assignments, deadlines and full time work. Until that is, I learned about magnesium.

You see coffee consumption actually works against the body when we are stressed, not only does it increase the excretion of B vitamins required to help combat stress, but it also triggers cortisol release.

The essential trace mineral, selenium, is of crucial importance to human health. It is a necessary component of several major metabolic pathways including thyroid hormone metabolism, antioxidant defense and immune regulation.

While the body requires selenium, it does not produce this mineral, therefore selenium must be obtained through the diet or supplementation. 

Do you get a flushed face when you drink red wine? Do you suffer from unexplainable head aches or anxiety? Maybe you get an itchy tongue or flu like symptoms after eating certain foods?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you may have histamine intolerance. 

What is mindful eating?

Mindful eating is about being present in the moment when eating and enjoying the meal before you. Its also about listening to your bodies cues in respect to hunger, satiety and taste. It involves:

• Sitting when eating a meal

• Slowing your pace when eating, taking smaller bites, chewing for longer and taking breaks between bites.

• Eating away from distraction such as television, phones or the computer.

• Listening to your bodies hunger and full signalling and letting these cues guide your decision making on when to begin and finish eating.

• Choosing foods that are both pleasurable to eat and which nourish your body.

• Eating with all of your senses; taste, smell, touch, sight and feel.

• Being aware of the effect the food you eat is having on your body. Do you respond well or do you experience burping, bloating, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea?

• Being aware of emotional eating patterns

• Knowing and having respect for where your food comes from.

So why should we all be eating mindfully?

You have most likely heard of the Gut brain Axis, referring to the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (brain) and the enteric nervous system (gut), linking emotional and cognitive centres of the brain with peripheral intestinal function. But do you know much about the Vagus nerve that’s responsible for connecting them?

The vagus nerve aka the “wandering nerve” is a multi branched nerve that extends from the cerebellum in the brain down to the lowest viscera of the abdomen, reaching out to the heart and other organs on the way down. It is this nerve that is responsible for the communication between the gut and the brain.