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Are you Well when you are not Sick?

What Does it Mean to be ‘Well’?

Many people believe ‘health’ and ‘wellness’ are terms that simply mean being free from disease, but there is so much more to being truly well!

Are you really well if you are overweight, forgetful, tired, moody, or have poor skin? What if you suffer from headaches, frequent colds, constipation or bloating? If you regularly experience these symptoms, you may not necessarily have a disease, but you aren’t truly well either. There are steps you can take to escape these frustrating complaints and enjoy true wellness.

Diets Fail, Lifestyle Changes Succeed

We have all heard the saying “You are what you eat,” but the truth is, “You are what you most consistently eat.” How many times have you started a diet with the best of intentions, only to find it too difficult to follow for more than a few weeks? Fad diets don’t help you to achieve long-term health goals. Realistic dietary changes that are sustainable are the best way to improve your health over the long-term. Seven sustainable dietary changes for wellness are:

  1. Protein-rich food - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyInclude protein-rich foods in each meal or snack. Protein foods include fish, seafood, poultry, meat, eggs, dairy, and legumes.
  2. Enjoy a minimum of three cups of fresh vegetables daily: Choose from a variety of vegetables and aim to have a rainbow of colours on your dinner plate.
  3. Enjoy a minimum of two pieces or one cup of fresh fruit every day: Berries are an especially good choice as they are rich in antioxidants
  4. Limit starchy carbohydrates to two small serves per day: Aim for only 1 to 2 serves of bread, rice, pasta, cereal or potatoes daily.
  5. Include healthy fats in your diet: Healthy fats are found in cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and cold-pressed oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, and flaxseed oil. Aim for 1 to 2 tablespoons of good quality oils per day and limit nuts and seeds to a small handful daily.
  6. Drink a minimum of eight glasses of pure water every day: Use natural flavourings such as fresh lemon, lime, and mint in water instead of soft drinks and cordials. Reduce excessive consumption of caffeinated beverages to 1 to 2 per day.
  7. Enjoy a ‘freedom’ meal once a week: A ‘wellness program’ is a life-long diet and lifestyle program. Allow yourself one or two ‘treat’ meals per week. Remember, “You are what you most consistently eat”.

Simple Supplements to Maintain Wellness

Research has shown there are natural supplements that can complement your wellness diet and lifestyle program such as:

  1. Fish Oil - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy MelbourneA high-quality fish oil to provide daily omega-3 for a healthy heart, supple joints, and healthy nervous system.
  2. A high strength probiotic to maintain the balance in your digestive system.
  3. A daily multivitamin and mineral formula to fill any nutritional gaps that your diet doesn’t fulfill.
  4. A good quality antioxidant formula to promote healthy ageing and reduce the risk of developing chronic disease.

Live Well and Laugh a Lot!

Taking regular time out to relax is vital for wellness. Relaxation activities such as yoga, meditation or reading a book increase the levels of ‘feel good’ chemicals in your brain that make you feel happy. Laughter is the best medicine; seriously! Laughter reduces stress hormones, improves breathing and circulation, and can even improve your immune system. Relaxation and laughter are important additions to any wellness program.

You Can Achieve Your Goal of Wellness

You don’t have to settle for feeling ‘just ok’. You can achieve wellness by making simple, sustainable changes to improve your energy, health, and wellbeing over the long-term.

Contact Your Wellness Centre about getting your wellness prescription today!

Ring 9879 9596 or email health@yourwellnesscentre.com.au

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

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CANCER, The Word of Fear

Cancer is a life-altering experience for the person involved, as well as their close family and friends. However, it doesn’t occur overnight. In reality, cancer is the manifestation of a chronic disease that has been developing over time, with many factors contributing to its onset and progression.

The good news is that there is a multitude of supportive and preventative measures available that can help you transform fear into understanding and empowerment, leading to a happier, healthier state of wellbeing.

The Seed and Soil of Cancer

As far back as 1889, an English surgeon, Stephen Paget proposed the ‘seed and soil’ concept – that the spread of cancer depends on cancer cells, “the seeds”, and the environment in the body, which he called “the soil”. It can take the body many years to produce the “soil” or environment that is just right for cancer to flourish. Cancer may develop when changes occur inside the cell and when coupled with the appropriate internal environment, the cancer cell can proliferate in an uncontrolled manner.

Seed and Soil - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy - Cancer
More than 100 years later, the “seed and soil” concept still holds true; it is both the health of individual cells and the environment in the body that may determine whether cancer may develop or not.  By taking active steps to improve our health, we have the potential to alter the environment in our bodies, reducing the risk of chronic disease and maintaining long-term health.

Prevention is Best Practice

You may be surprised to hear that genetics accounts for only 5-10% of cancers.
Research studies have shown that healthy diet and lifestyle factors have favourable effects in reducing the incidence of many cancers, challenging us to modify our diet and lifestyle for disease prevention.

The Protective Power of Herbal Medicine

The protective actions of particular herbs used in disease prevention are well documented. Key herbs can support the body’s resistance and resilience to chronic disease such as cancer. They provide anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant actions which are all beneficial in supporting the health of our cells:

    • Green tea: Oxidative stress has been shown to damage the DNA in cells and can play a role in promoting cellular dysfunction implicated in tumour development. EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is found in the leaves of green tea and is a powerful antioxidant which can protect against degenerative diseases. It may also be beneficial in preventing the cellular changes seen in cancer development.
    • Turmeric - Curcuma - Cancer - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyTurmeric: Curcumin is the active constituent of turmeric. This powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb have been widely researched for its anti-carcinogenic actions.
    • Resveratrol: Resveratrol is a phytochemical that is found in certain plants, in particular grapes. It has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory and inhibits the growth of a wide variety of tumour cells.
    • Yerba Maté: This herb has a long history of use as a tonic and stimulating drink in South America. It protects against oxidative damage, can promote energy production and increases antioxidant defences.

Food Can Produce or Reduce Inflammation

The typical Western diet may actually promote inflammation; high amounts of sugar and refined carbohydrates break down quickly into glucose and have been shown to induce inflammatory changes that are linked with many chronic diseases. In some susceptible people, foods such as dairy products and gluten-containing grains can trigger an inflammatory response.

Diet and Lifestyle Tips for Long-Term Health

The following diet and lifestyle recommendations can help keep your cells and your body healthy for the long-term:

  • No smoking - Cancer - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyQuit smoking: Smoking is carcinogenic so make it a priority to quit smoking for disease prevention and anti-aging.
  • Minimise exposure to environmental toxins in the household and workplace.
  • Make stress management a priority and ensure you are getting a good night’s sleep. Ask us about our Stress Less program for support during stressful periods.
  • Obesity and inactivity have been linked to cancer, so stay active and maintain a healthy weight.
  • Get moving! Just 30 minutes of movement and exercise enhances wellbeing and can help with disease prevention.
  • Cancer cells are said to be ‘addicted’ to sugar as they are fuelled by glucose. Minimise your intake of processed, refined foods to maintain healthy blood sugar balance.
  • Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and cancer preventing antioxidants.  Choose organic food where possible as it provides higher levels of protective nutrients.
  • Drink pure, filtered water preferably from glass or BPA-free bottles.

Empowered for Health

Consider cancer in a new light and accept the challenge to take responsibility for your health. Herbs and nutrients, together with a healthy diet and lifestyle may well be the ultimate tools for disease prevention.

  • References available on Request.

We can help support you during the Stress of Cancer.
Take the step toward a healthier you!
Call 9879 9596 and book an appointment today!

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

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