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So, what does detoxification mean? Essentially, detoxing is medicinal and refers back to the herbal elimination of pollution from the body. On a daily foundation the liver, kidneys, intestines lymphatic structures are doing these paintings constantly for us.

Use These Tips for 2-3 weeks to get Started:

cleansing diet

1. Eat A Cleansing Diet

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables (organic). The high fibre in these helps to sweep out intestinal debris. They also contain antioxidants which help to neutralize free radicals –unstable molecules which damage healthy cells.
  • Have nourishing soup, whole grains, olive oil, flaxseed oil, nuts, and seeds.
  • A palm-sized portion of fish or organic chicken at each meal and limit red meat to twice weekly
  • Drink pure water and cleansing herbal teas which stimulate kidney function and flush out wastes
  • Avoid having fatty foods. Also minimize salt, sweets, refined foods, flour, and dairy products.
  • Avoid other common toxins such as tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol.
  • Caffeine is a powerful stimulant drug that speeds up the metabolism, increases symptoms of anxiety, causes insomnia, and causes fatigue after the stimulation wears off. It overstimulates the adrenal gland and places the body in a state of chronic stress. Osteoporosis, PMS, and menopause are all made worse by caffeine. It is also addictive.
  • Alcohol – excess interferes with the body’s ability to detoxify chemicals including estrogen and other hormones. It also causes dehydration.

2. Distinguish Craving from Hunger.

Before you reach your hand into the potato chip bag, ask yourself one question: “Am I really hungry or is this a craving?”

Listening to your body will help you eat intuitively and you’ll be more inclined to reach for healthier foods that will nourish instead of harm.

If you’re not sure whether you’re actually hungry, try drinking a glass of water and waiting a few minutes. True hunger is a rare thing in most people, as we tend to graze all day.

So, listen to your body!

3. Detoxify with Herbs.

Herbs have been used for detoxification for centuries. Use one or more times per year for optimal health.

Herbs support the organs of elimination and facilitate the process of purification. Purifying herbs stimulate the elimination of wastes, increase urination, encourage perspiration, stimulate circulation and enhance immune function.

It removes excess mucous from the lungs and intestines and improves digestion.

 

4. Substitute Natural Remedies for Synthetic Drugs.

Drugs are metabolized by the liver and are excreted by the organs of detoxification.

These are very necessary sometimes.

However, where possible use herbal remedies which work in harmony with the body.

There are natural alternatives for almost every health problem.

 

BREATHE

5. Purify with Breathing.

Focus attention on your breath to affect well-being.

Shallow breathing causes chronic low-level stagnation which leads to fatigue, poor concentration, headache, and grogginess.

Proper breathing enlivens the body, relieving tension and anxiety.

 

EXERCISE

6. Exercise.

This improves circulation and stimulates blood flow throughout the body allowing it to carry away wastes and transport nutrients efficiently.

The muscular activity enables lymphatic fluid to move through the channels.

It promotes healthy digestion and intestinal function.

It improves immune activity, keeps the muscles toned, keeps bones strong and healthy, enhances mental functioning, and relieves stress and anxiety.

 

cup of tea and destress

7. Reduce Stress.

The adrenal glands release too much adrenaline when the body is stressed. These raise the blood pressure and heart rate.

Digestion shuts down, immune activity is decreased and the muscles become tense.

Breathing and relaxation techniques are useful.

Nurture loving relationships and indulge in pleasurable activities.

Remember, a certain amount of stress is normal – it is excessive, long-term stress which is unhealthy.

 

relaxing massage

8. Get A Massage.

This stimulates lymph flow and drainage. It increases circulation, breaks up fatty deposits and cellulite, increases relaxation and well-being

 

meditating on a hill and journaling in sunny day

9. Detoxify Your Thinking.

Habitual thinking plays a role in physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Detoxify your thinking by journal writing and commitment to change if bad thoughts are bringing you down.

By journal writing, you become aware of your thoughts and learn to think in self-affirming ways.

Meditation helps to decrease the stress hormones and visualization helps to harness the power of the mind to create the desired outcome.

 

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To keep your immune system healthy here are some important tips for you:

 

woman jogging

Look after Yourself every day.

Give your immune system a head start by incorporating these healthy habits into your diet and daily lifestyle.

 

fruits in a bowl

Eat Regularly.

Include protein with every meal.

Include complex carbohydrates and make sure you have regular meals.

Increase the water.

Water helps your mood and improves stress levels.

Reduce the alcohol it might help you today but in the long run, you’ll probably find yourself even more stressed.

Limit yourself to one-two serves at a sitting a couple of times a week.

 

Aim for at least two serves of fruit and three cups of vegetables daily.

Fill your plate with a rainbow of color to provide nutrients and antioxidants to help build strong immunity.

Lightly cooked vegetables are a nourishing option in winter.

 

avoiding cake

Eliminate Inflammatory Foods.

Sugar, refined carbohydrates, dairy, and wheat can all be inflammatory and may suppress immune function.

Reduce caffeine and sugar and aim for well-balanced meals.

Avoid mucus-promoting, inflammatory foods such as dairy and processed foods.

 

woman at peace

Reduce Stress.

Stress steals energy and nutrients from your immune system, leaving you susceptible to getting sick.

Enjoy the benefits of scheduling time out, meditation, and time spent in nature.

We are well aware that many are suffering from stress at this time.

We also know that chronic stress can weaken viral immune defenses.

This is why taking measures to reduce stress and support your resilience to stress is highly advisable.

Put aside a few minutes each day to engage in something you enjoy.

Engage in something positive and uplifting like music, hobbies, and exercise.

This causes a change in brainwave activity and also changes your body physiology and reduces the stress burden.

 

avoid the avoidable

Avoid Being Bombarded with Corona Virus information continually.

You cannot switch on the TV, the radio, or social media without there being a focus on Covid-19.

Try to steer the conversation with family and friends toward the positive.

Don’t get swept up in the negative hype.

Don’t stress over and obsess about the issue for six hours at a time.

It is serious, and we have to play our part, but we also need to get on with living.

 

time to update

Section Off Part Of Your Day for Updates.

In stressful situations section off a part of your day to deal with it and get on with the rest of the day.

Get up to date with the new government regulations then prepare for the necessary for the home.

 

be positive

Focus on Doing More Positive Things.

Playing board games with the family, playing with pets.

Focus on the music, on hobbies because you’ll now have more time

Especially the case if you are working from home.

Pick up an instrument, paint, be creative.

When watching movies make them comedies, let them be light-hearted, let them be uplifting and enjoyable not the horrors because this can stimulate stress.

Meditation can calm you down and improve your well-being. There are many apps to use.

Apps like calm, headspace, guided meditation.

Sleep Stories is an app, that I believe, can help you fall asleep.

There are many positive ways others are using to help adjust to their new way of life. Learn from them.

 

sleeping woman

Sleep and Sleep Well.

Practice good sleep hygiene.
Wind down, and dim the lights at night.
You should expose yourself to 2 hours of dim light before bedtime, so that melatonin which is your sleep hormone can be produced.

Slow down and calm down.
Take up reading a novel, doing meditation, and trying to get away from the phone and digital equipment.
Try to get not less than seven hours of sleep.
The most beneficial sleep is that which you get before midnight so aim to get to bed at about 2 hours before midnight.

Should you find difficulty sleeping, you can call us on 9879 9596 to get our sleep tips.

 

Fight back and Stay Well.

Embrace immune-boosting Natural Medicines and let this be your season of change.
We can recommend a herbal or nutritional formula with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, and immune-boosting power to support you if needed.

 

woman exercising

Exercise.

Exercise is known to improve your mood and your brain chemicals.
So try to increase your heart rate for 20 minutes three times a week. It’s even better to exercise in nature because this has proven benefits and calms you down.
Taking up yoga or tai chi would be beneficial. There are many YouTube videos on these topics.
Get outside and help some vitamin D to form naturally in your body. This can help improve your immune system.

 

gratitude changes everything

Practice gratitude.

Focus on the positives of the situation.
Start with five things to be grateful for.
Stay connected with loved ones; do this through voice calls; facetime; house parties.
Our digital age means you can easily stay connected with friends and family and loved ones.
These are simple ways to help improve your mood.
It will keep your stress under control.

Doing these things go a long way in helping you take charge of your health.

 

Read more:

How to Strengthen the Immune System Naturally

Family Fitness

Why do I keep getting sick all the time?

 

Get in Touch

102A Oban Rd, Ringwood North, Victoria 3134
Phone (03) 9879 9596

your wellness centre logo

Many say that they get sick all the time.

A question I often get asked, when clients just don’t feel well, is “Can I feel Better?”

 They also mention that they seem to catch every cough or cold going around. As well as that, they feel tired most of the time.

If you’re a bit like that and you’d like to feel better too, naturopathic treatment is the thing for you.

Generally, it’s good to think back to a time when you were at your healthiest. This reminds you of what you can be.
Then I’d ask you to pinpoint a moment in time when your health started to go downhill?  It is often after a virus or other infection.

You see, it’s not unusual for many people to not feel 100% since having a virus or other infection.

If you’re one of them and have never fully recovered, your condition may have progressed from being a short-term acute infection into a longer-term chronic health complaint.

Chronic infections can leave you feeling tired with muscular aches and pains and lowered immunity, making you more susceptible to catching every bug that goes around.

Even a sniffily nose or cough that doesn’t clear can indicate the presence of a low-grade infection.

With naturopathic care, you can take positive steps to get truly well again.

Here are some aspects we might cover:

IMMUNE SYSTEM
1. The Right Immune Support

  • It takes a strong immune system to overcome persistent infections. The following herbs and nutrients help boost immunity and support your recovery:
  • Medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps, coriolus, reishi, and shiitake are potent immune enhancers for chronic or recurrent infections.
  • Astragalus possesses anti-viral activity and assists in the prevention and treatment of chronic infections.
  • Zinc helps reduce the severity and duration of colds and flu; however zinc deficiency can compromise immunity. Ensure you have adequate zinc levels to help your immune system fight against infection.
  • Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating the immune system. Surprisingly high numbers of adults have inadequate vitamin D levels, so have your levels checked regularly.
  •  Vitamins A, C, and E are all beneficial for supporting healthy immunity.

 

2. The Gut – Immune Connection

In order to have a healthy, thriving immune system, you need to ensure your digestive system is also healthy.

With 70% of your immune system in the gut, the microflora or friendly bacteria play an important role.

Probiotics are beneficial strains of friendly bacteria that can boost your immune system function. The strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, and Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 may help support healthy immunity.

 

 

3. The Journey to Wellness.

A chronic condition was once acute.

If your body is unable to successfully recover from an acute infection, it may develop into a chronic health concern that your immune system can’t get better off.

Allowing your body to heal from chronic infection can take time; the longer you have been sick, the longer you may need to get well again.

Whilst you may feel relief in the short term, persisting with herbs and nutrients can provide long-term relief from the nagging symptoms you have grown accustomed to. Remember how great it feels to be 100% healthy again!

 

Take the step toward a healthier you!
Call 9879 9596 and book an appointment today!

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

Even though most of us take a good night’s sleep for granted, for many this just does not happen!

The reality is that many find themselves asking questions such as “Why can’t I sleep through the night?” or they simply mention that they are struggling to sleep.

Difficulties in falling asleep or staying asleep and waking unrefreshed is a common occurrence for many.

 

Woman Sleeping On Sofa With Throw Pillows

Sleep is a biological process that is essential for life and optimal health.

Sleep plays a critical role in brain function and systemic physiology. This includes metabolism, appetite regulation, and the functioning of the immune, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems.

Research shows that adults who get fewer than seven hours of sleep experience daytime irritability, fatigue, reduced concentration, and poor memory.

Sleep deprivation not only has detrimental effects on your work life, relationships and wellbeing. but also increases the risk of ongoing health problems.

Along with these, more serious metabolic and cardiovascular health issues can start to develop when insomnia becomes chronic.

These serious conditions are hard to attribute to poor sleep, as they are insidious and develop over longer periods of time.

If you or someone you know is having trouble sleeping – it’s important to get some support.

We’ll start with a list of the short and long-term effects of poor sleep.

We then expand a bit more on how blood sugar balance and also cardiovascular health impact sleep.

Woman Sitting on Chair While Leaning on Laptop

 

Short-term Effects of Poor Sleep

  • Fatigue and sleepiness during the day
  • Increased stress reactivity
  • Increased pain sensitivity
  • Impaired judgment
  • Emotional distress and mood disorders
  • Cognitive, memory, and performance deficits. 

 

Long-term Effects of Poor Sleep (1)

  • Hypertension
  • Dyslipidemia (High blood lipids)
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Weight Gain

 

When Sleep Dips, Blood sugar rises

Even though we can’t necessarily feel it, testing and research show our blood sugar levels are hugely influenced by our sleep.

In fact, adults reporting five hours of sleep or less at night were 2.5 times more likely to have diabetes compared to those who slept the recommended seven to eight hours at night.

While the exact link between poor sleep and diabetes isn’t definitely clear.

It is suggested that sleep deprivation may lead to increased nervous system activity of the fight or flight response.

This goes on to negatively impact several hormonal pathways that govern our metabolism.

 

Sleep for a Healthy Heart

This fight or flight response is one of the main reasons why long-term sleep issues are associated with cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and heart attack.

Due to the physical stress poor sleep creates, the body starts to produce higher levels of ‘stress’ hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

The associated side effects of this action are increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and heart contraction, increasing the risk of cardiac diseases.

This was shown in a decade-long study, demonstrating five hours of sleep or less per night resulted in a 45% increased risk of a heart attack.

Another study found that sleep loss can activate inflammatory pathways in the body that are also linked with cardiovascular disease.

 

Woman in White Brassiere and Black Panty

Weight Gain and Sleep

One of the most important impacts of sleep deprivation on health is that it can actually increase weight gain, as seen in a range of studies showing that individuals who regularly slept less than 7  hours per night were more likely to have higher average body mass indexes and develop obesity than those who slept more.

Studies showed that experimental sleep restriction was associated with increased levels of ghrelin, salt retention, and inflammatory markers as well as decreased levels of leptin and insulin sensitivity. 

There has also been a range of experimental studies which show the effects of shortened sleep duration on two important hormones, leptin and ghrelin, which regulate our metabolism and energy.

Leptin the hormone which is released from adipose tissue (fat) and promotes satiety to decrease our cravings, is decreased with sleep deprivation.

While ghrelin, the hormone released from our stomachs to increase hunger and appetite is in fact increased. In a short-term study of 10 men, 2 days of sleep restriction was associated with an 18% reduction in leptin and a 28% elevation in ghrelin.

These changes coincided with an increase in hunger and appetite, especially for high-carb and calorie-dense foods.

 

What can you do if you can’t sleep at night?

A restful and restorative night’s sleep prepares you for the day ahead. This means that reducing or avoiding the factors that find you struggling to sleep can help you sleep better.

 

Here are 9 sleep-enhancing tips:

  1. Reduce or eliminate stimulants, i.e. caffeine and sugar;
  2. Go to bed at the same time each night;
  3. Create a dark sleeping environment;
  4. Invest in a comfortable mattress and bedding;
  5. Limit alcohol consumption;
  6. Practice relaxation exercises, or read a book in bed;
  7. Reduce screen time an hour before bed, i.e. phones, computers, or TV. In the evening and use an app that inverts the screen lighting to create black backgrounds with white text;
  8. Find a meditation app that helps you relax; and
  9. Get regular exercise.

Changing your habits to sleep better can take time, particularly if you have been struggling to sleep for a long time.

 

purple flowers on brown woven basket

 

While you make changes to these habits, sleep-supporting herbs can help.

Remedies such as California poppy, Passionflower, Zizyphus, Jamaica dogwood, and Lavender can help you to fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.

These herbs achieve their sleep-inducing effects by stimulating your body’s production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

This is a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) produced by your brain, GABA sends signals among your brain cells that reduce their activity. It also carries signals to other cells in your body, such as your muscles, helping them to relax.

GABA is involved in your body’s sleep cycles. With increased levels during the evening, it reduces stress, promotes calmness and relaxation, and helps ease you into sleep.

As an added bonus, unlike many pharmaceutical sleeping agents, herbal sleep remedies will not make you feel jet-lagged the next day, helping you “seize the day”!

Speak to our naturopathic practitioner at Your Wellness Centre about herbs that can help you to get a good night’s sleep.

 

Magnesium

Magnesium is valuable for countless actions in the body, including supporting healthy nervous system function.

This means you are less affected by stress; or sore, tense muscles that may be disturbing your sleep.

Magnesium levels may be low in those suffering from insomnia, so addressing this insufficiency can help improve sleep.

Our naturopath can recommend high-quality, highly absorbable forms of magnesium to help you re-establish a healthy sleep cycle.

Stops you from wondering why is sleep so important. answers the question shows you just why sleep is so important.

It also explains how ongoing sleep dysfunction can increase the risk of developing conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

If you are struggling to sleep then do use the supplemental and lifestyle suggestions shared above to get started.

Adopting some of these will help re-establish healthy sleep patterns. It will also have many positive effects on your long-term health.

 

Sleep Tight, Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite

Your Practitioner can help identify the underlying causes of disturbed sleep and offer quality natural medicines to help you overcome your sleepless nights.

Talk to our naturopath at Your Wellness Centre today about your journey to better sleep.

  

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5449130/

https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000392#ref-16

 

 

Take the step toward a healthier you!
Call 9879 9596 and book an appointment today!

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

Bloating, Flatulence, Constipation, and Diarrhoea? Need Help?

Your stomach is one of the hardest working systems in your body.

Meal after meal, it hustles to digest your food and extract the nutrients required to sustain you.

Despite its solid work ethic, your belly can experience occasional performance hiccups, leading to digestive symptoms.

While many of these are normal, others may indicate something more serious.

Read on to discover what your symptoms say about your stomach function and ways to improve them.

Bloating Flatulence Constipation Diarrhoea - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy

Normal, Everyday Symptoms: Transient Belly Bloating

What is it?
Short-lived abdominal swelling due to trapped gas.

What causes it?
During and after meals, your gut produces enzymes and acids that break down food, creating gas during this process.

While bloating isn’t considered normal, it commonly occurs if you deviate from your standard diets, such as eating larger portions, high-fat meals or foods that are more difficult to break down, including excess carbohydrates and fibre.

These place more burden on your digestive processes, subsequently increasing gas production and bloating.

How do you improve it?
While mild bloating generally passes with time, chewing your food thoroughly, consuming smaller meals and spacing out your carbohydrate and fibre intake can help.

Flatulence

What is it?
Farting.

What causes it?
Gas is produced by normal digestive processes, and ‘passed’ at regular intervals.

Additionally, increased fibre, fat or sugar intake can create gas. Your microbiome (gut bacteria) also influences the amount of gas produced as they ferment food to help with your digestion.

How do you improve it?
It is normal to pass wind around 15 times per day. Additionally, the odd smelly fart is no big deal, particularly if caused by an increase in refined, processed foods (who can say no to the occasional slice of pizza?).

However, if you would like to reduce flatulence, moderate your intake of these foods.

Health Caution - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy

Symptoms That Require Attention: Chronic Constipation

What is it?
The infrequent passage of hard poop (less than once daily), is often accompanied by straining, a sense of incompletely emptying the bowel and discomfort.

What causes it?
Insufficient fibre or reduced fluid intake can slow your transit time (the time it takes for your food to travel from your mouth through to the other end), making you less ‘regular’.

Dysbiosis (an imbalance in the types and levels of gut bacteria) can also influence digestive processes and reduce your transit time.

Additionally, chronic constipation is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that affects the function of the bowel.

How do you improve it?
Consume more fibre-rich foods, including fruit and vegetables, and drink enough water.

Prebiotic and probiotic supplements, such as the Metagenics Ultra Flora GI Regulate, may also support bowel regularity and provide relief for symptoms of medically diagnosed IBS.

Diarrhoea

What is it?
Soft, loose or watery stool that occurs more than three times daily.

What causes it?
Diarrhoea may be a symptom of a bacterial or viral infection, such as gastroenteritis, or be related to certain medications, particularly antibiotics.

Additionally, IBS and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition involving inflammation of the digestive tract, may cause diarrhoea.

How do you improve it?
IBS and IBD are serious conditions that require a professional diagnosis and care from a Health Practitioner.

However, if your symptoms are associated with antibiotic use, Metagenics Ultra Flora Intensive Care may help to restore healthy intestinal bacteria and relieve diarrhoea.

Malodorous Gas

What is it?
Farts that clear a room.

What causes it?
Your microbiome consists of a range of bacteria (38 trillion microbes!) that help digestion by fermenting your food, particularly fibre.

Imbalances in the levels of different bacterial species can lead to increased gas production with a pungent odour.

How do you improve it?
Metagenics Ultra Flora Intensive Care provides three specific probiotic strains (types of bacteria), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (boulardii) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis (BB-12®), which have been shown to help restore a healthy balance of bacteria within your microbiome.

Gut Pain - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy

Abdominal Pain

What is it?
Sharp, dull, stabbing, cramp-like, or twisting pain in your abdomen. Most people experience occasional gut discomfort, however severe gut pain that is episodic, regular or continuous requires assessment, particularly if accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, changes to your poop, nausea and/or vomiting.

What causes it?
Abdominal pain has many potential causes, the most common being gas pain, food intolerances or allergies, or indigestion. However, abdominal pain can also be a sign of something more serious, including appendicitis, gallstones, ulcers, infections, kidney stones, and many other conditions.

How do you improve it?
If gut pain has become a pattern rather than a one-off incident, seek guidance from a healthcare professional.

Ditch the Gut Glitches

Don’t let your gut feelings bum you out! Instead, switch up your diet and lifestyle habits and rid yourself of symptoms such as bloating, gurgles and gas.

If you regularly experience one or more problematic symptoms, particularly if they’re new or getting worse, consult with a Natural Health Practitioner at Your Wellness Centre for further investigation to devise an individualized comprehensive plan of attack that is suitable for you.

Our healthcare practitioners have a suite of testing available to investigate the driver behind your symptoms.

A stool analysis test enables us to identify all of the bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit your gut and how they contribute to your gut function and digestive symptoms.

You can read more about MetaBiome™ testing here.

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

The Get ready for Summer – Weight Loss Challenge.

Great for you if you’re determined to:

  • Get meaningful Weight Loss results
  • Have more Energy?
  • Fit into that great outfit that no longer fits?
  • Enjoy the festive season.
  • Look and feel better than you have for a while.

So if you’d like all this in a super-supportive environment,
Take advantage of our 5-week challenge to become a healthier version of YOU!

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Weight loss in the range of 6 to 10 kg in 5 weeks!
  • You’ll blossom as you work towards successfully reaching your goals.
  • Feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when you reach that weight loss goal.
  • Feel the bounce in your step as you ooze vitality and confidence once more.
  • Starting now means that you no longer have to worry about your weight.
    You’ll have more time to focus on other health aspects and hobbies when you’ve reached your goal.

There will be Prizes for the person who loses the biggest percentage of body fat and the person with the best before and after photo.

We’ll include giveaways throughout the 5 weeks, and we’ll provide Facebook support in a special group as well as daily motivational tips.

Mostly, we want to make your summer weight loss fun and enjoyable.

Overview:

  1. Enroll in the program between now and Tuesday, November 12th to start on Thursday, 14th November.
  2. Book your initial Body Composition analysis and a follow up after 5 weeks.
  3. You’ll come in for a weekly weigh-in and progress review.
  4. We’ll take before and after photos at your initial and final Body Composition appointments. (These photos won’t be published without your consent.)
  5. Choose to do one of our 3 programs (see below).
  6. The winner will be announced 19th December (at the end of the 5 weeks)

This challenge entails a supervised weight loss program that includes commitment and involvement.
You are supported throughout so that you stay motivated!
Each program includes membership in the special FaceBook support group as well as motivational emails.

There are three (3) Program options

Program 1

Includes 2 x Body Composition Analyses (test to measure your % body fat + more) valued at $118

  • before and after photos
  • weekly motivational emails 
  • membership of our special Facebook group for further support.
  • Far Infra-red sauna session $59

This is suitable if you are already seeing another practitioner, doing another program, or need the motivation to implement strategies you’ve used in the past.
If you don’t have a practitioner, we encourage you to do this with a friend, partner or work colleague to be held accountable for measuring a weighing (which is included in program 1 &2).
You also get 10% off any products purchased from our clinic during the 6 weeks.

Program 1 Fee costs $149 (Valued at over $300)

 

Program 2

Ultralite Weight Management Program

This program involves 3 meals you weigh out and prepare yourself, a special Ultralite drink you have in-between meals (to reduce hunger and appetite and assist fat burning), and quick urine check each morning to ensure you are in fat-burning mode.

Typical weight loss is 2.5-5kg the first week then 1-2 kg per week thereafter.
You are weighed and measured weekly to keep up motivation and compliance.
It’s a really well-structured program with fast results.
The program comes with a comprehensive instruction manual, great recipes, and great support.
Clients report reduced appetite and cravings and fantastic results.
For more info see www.ultralite.com.au.

The 5-week package includes:

  • Initial Naturopathic assessment and explanation of program – Up to $180.00 value
  • Program manual with recipes, tips, and instructions – RRP $35.00
  • Initial assessment. This includes a test that measures health parameters including fat %, lean muscle, cellular health, and fluid distribution. The information gained can assist your practitioner in personalizing your plan. – value $59.00
  • Follow up assessment- $59 value
  • All the nutritional formula you need for in-between snacks (4 daily) – for 5 weeks RRP $336.00
  • Measuring sticks to measure your level of fat burning  $14.95
  • Habit Relief Formula drops to reduce cravings and appetite- value $32.95
  • 4 Follow up consults. Each session focusses on a specific area to support successful weight loss- value $356
  • Far Infra-red sauna session $59
  • before and after photos
  • weekly motivational emails 
  • membership of our special Facebook group for further support.

Some extras on Private Health cover UltraLite as a weight-loss option. This includes BUPA, Australian Unity, CBHS (Commonwealth Health Fund), CUA, HBF, HealthCare Insurance and Health Partners. 

Cost: $695 for 5 weeks (valued at over $1130)**

 

Program 3

This is our popular Shake-It program.
You have one meal replacement (e.g. a breakfast shake, a high protein meal bar, or a soup) a day.

  • You also have 2 meals each day consisting of protein (e.g. eggs, meat, fish or chicken) and
    Your choice from a selection of vegetable or salad options.
  • Two snacks.
  • Typical weight loss is around 2 kg the first week then 1 kg per week thereafter.
    It is easy to follow and does not involve measuring and weighing of food.

The 5-week Package includes:

  • Initial Naturopathic consultation and explanation of the program
  • 4 follow up sessions
  • ‘Your Shake-It Guide” with instructions and tips
  • A Health Journal to record your meals and data
  • One Ketobar (A high protein meal replacement) – available in Cherry Coconut, Caramel or Vanilla
  • Initial assessment of fat, muscle, and information to set realistic goals (valued at $59)
  • Follow up-to assess progress after 5 weeks
  • 2 x Tubs of Metagenics ‘Shake-It” – High protein, low carb chocolate or vanilla meal replacement
  • Shake It Shaker
  • 10% off any product purchases during the 5-week program
  • Specialised probiotic to assist with weight loss 
  • Shake-It Recipe Book
  • Ketostix to measure your level of fat burning
  • Far Infra-red sauna session $59
  • before and after photos
  • motivational emails 
  • membership of our special Facebook group for further support.

Cost: $795 (valued at over $1200)**

To make things easier for you, we are working on a PAY as YOU GO option.

More about this soon!

How can I book in?

Give us a ring on 9879 9596 or book online choosing the Weight Loss Option.
We do require a $50 booking fee which is non-refundable.

Still not sure what program you want to do and want to speak to someone first?

Make time for a 15-minute complimentary session with our Naturopath to discuss the best program for you and get started! Book a time by calling us on  98799596 or click here to send us a message.

The Prize Winner!

The main prize winner will be decided by our panel at Your Wellness Centre (calculated on most body fat % loss in the 5 weeks).

Thought I’d add who this is not for:
a)  Not for those who want a quick fix.
b)  Not for those who are not prepared to fully participate.
c)   Not for those who are not prepared to commit to their own health and wellbeing!

Sorry, but I’m here for your success and if you have any mixed feelings that relate to a,b, or c , you just won’t get results and you will be sadly disappointed.

 

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

Study Stress - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyWe have all been through it, or are currently experiencing it. Study of any kind, whether it be your first exam ever in high school, or your final assignment due in for your Ph.D., causes the body to go into a high-stress mode. Cutting off vitally important physiological processes to favor a heightened state of alert.

Cortisol and adrenaline are in no short supply, as you cram as much information into your brain as possible sitting up into the tiny hours of the morning suffering through headaches, stomach cramps, increase chance of lasting colds and poor quality sleep – basically everything you DON’T need when you’re trying to remember all this information!

To top it all off most of us crave terrible foods during this time; sugary sweets and high GI bread, potatoes and fatty fast food. If it isn’t the lack of time driving you to get take away, it’s your brains incessant need for glucose driving your energy up in spikes, as you ride the never-ending waves of highs and crashes.

Ultimately the worst part is that our body changes, adapts, to this prolonged exposure to stress. Changes that can take months, even years, to reverse back to homeostasis (balance).

What kind of Changes can you expect to see?

  • Digestive upset
  • Decreased Sleep - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyPoor mood control
  • Decreased sleep and sleep quality
  • Increased colds and flu
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Poor memory and concentration
  • Fatigue
  • Muscular aches and tightness

Simple Steps to help your Study less impactful on your Health

  • Take regular breaks – and when you do, try getting outside or out of the room you’re in. Don’t reach for the phone, turn on the TV or fire up YouTube.
  • Water Therapy - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyDrink plenty of water – staying hydrated is key to mental health and alertness.
  • Meditate – even a short 5-minute meditation session, or guided breathing session, can reset your mind to a better, clearer place.
  • Eat regularly and healthily – this always seems easier than it is, but a bowl of fruit and natural yoghurt will have your body thanking you during that marathon study session.
  • Sleep!!! – make sure you get to bed at a set time every night. The body needs routine, and you won’t be memorising anything with inadequate hours of shut-eye.
  • Nourish your soul – do things that make your body smile. Indulge in self-pampering, take a time-out to do the things you love.
  • Exercise – low-level exercise improves blood circulation and brain performance, whilst releasing feel-good endorphins. It will also help you sleep better. Avoid intense workouts when you’re going through high levels of stress as it also increases cortisol and adrenaline.

And finally, speak with me, your mental health Naturopath, for supplement and herbal advice that can nourish the nervous system, improve your body’s resilience to stress and increase your memory. Give me a call on (03) 9879 9596 or email health@yourwellnesscentre.com.au to find out more or book in your time.

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

Water Therapy - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyWater therapy has been used for centuries as a spiritual activity in sacred rivers such as the Ganges, utilising such techniques as neti (Sinus washing), steaming the body, sweating, enemas, saltwater emesis and drinking warm or mineralised water, all with the goal of detoxifying or purifying the body. The people of Japan have used medicinal bathing, utilising the volcanic waters with differing ionic content, all with different healing capabilities. Ancient Greece and Rome used Healing temples, Asclepieia, often sourced from forest and mountains springs as a hospital of sorts, claiming they held great healing energies.

Hydrotherapy as a medical treatment was still being utilised by medical doctors until the mid-20th century in the United States of America and is still being used by Naturopathic practitioners in the US, India, Britain, Germany, and other European countries.

It was a core aspect of Naturopathic Education and practice up until the dawn of the 21st century here in Australia.

Many of us utilise modern-day water therapy; mineral baths, spas, and saunas, with an anecdotal understanding of their benefits and uses, and many of us understand the benefits of detoxifying the body and promoting elimination when we’re sick or feeling run down, using steam and increasing water consumption.

What does Hydrotherapy do for the body?

Hydrotherapy - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy

(© il-fede – Fotolia)

The basis of all holistic treatments is to bring the body into specific physiological limits that respond optimally to changing conditions. Hydrotherapy can facilitate optimising these responses when appropriately prescribed and utilised.

Targeted mechanisms:

  • Autonomic Nervous System regulation
    The home of our sensory and motor neurons, this is where homeostasis is maintained and operates without conscious control, it is responsible for the regulation between the fight-or-flight (sympathetic nervous system, SNS), and the rest-and-digest (parasympathetic nervous system, PNS). Many of us spend more time in the SNS.
  • Body temperature regulation
    The body’s core set point of 37c relies on conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporative cooling mechanisms and utilises internal heat production as well as heat gain or heat loss from external sources.
  • Cardiovascular system
    Changes in osmotic pressure directly affect the movement of fluid within the body, temperature changes also affect this – warming tissues promotes blood vessels to dilate, whereas cooling causes contraction.
  • Lymphatic movement
    It is primarily controlled by muscle contraction, joint movement, and chest movement when inhaling. It acts as a filter for interstitial fluid and initiates specific responses against microbes and abnormal cells. To read more about the importance of lymphatic movement for mental here, click here.

How does it work?

  • Thermal effects: the stimulation of temperature change on the surface of and within the body.
  • Mechanical effects: the change of hydrostatic pressure in the interstitial space via emersion or delivery of water under pressure to the skin surface.
  • Electrical effects: the use of water to convey current to or through the body, with potential effects similar to electroacupuncture.
  • Chemical effects: ubiquitous internal effects with ingestion, but also useful as a solvent for delivering herbs or minerals, or for its cleansing effects.

What are some Ailments that benefit from Hydrotherapy?

  • detox - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyLocal acute inflammation – such as a sprain, strain, injury or insect bite.
    Stimulates or restricts blood flow to the area. Reduces inflammation and pain. Relieves congestion and swelling. Increases white blood cells migration to the area to support healing.
  • Poor peripheral circulation. Cold hands and/or feet.
  • Sluggish or underperforming digestive function.
  • Hypertension.
  • Insulin resistance.
  • Obesity and overweight.
  • Immunity.
  • Pain in joints, tender points or movement.
  • Detoxification and elimination.
  • Skin conditions such as psoriasis or dermatitis.

If you’re interested in Hydrotherapy or would like to know more about how it could benefit you, speak with Lisa at Your Wellness Centre.

Take the step toward a healthier you!
Call 04 0271 6556 and book an appointment today!

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

One of the lesser-known benefits of consuming a diet high in polyphenols is its beneficial impact on your gut bacteria.

Polyphenols help the Gut

They selectively encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria.

They are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in many of your favourite foods like blueberries and chocolate and they act like good food for your microbiome.

It contributes to good intestinal health by supporting the gut microbial balance by encouraging the production of beneficial bacteria and discouraging the growth of bad bacteria.

Benefits of Polyphenols

The portion of these foods that are beneficial to your inner health is the part that your body does not digest at all.

You see, once consumed, only about 5-10% of polyphenols are directly absorbed in the small intestine, while the rest make their way to the colon. 

The undigested part of the polyphenol-rich foods that make it to the colon increases the good guys and decreases the bad guys helping create a healthy microbiome.

And with a healthy microbiome comes more energy better moods better sleep less pain happier belly and more balanced immunity. 

Good health starts with the gut, so eat lots of polyphenol-rich food to keep your bugs happy and so to keep you healthy.

Foods that contain Polyphenol

wine, dark chocolate, berries, avocado, greens, fish, nutsThey are found in foods such as tea, wine, chocolates, fruits, vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil, just to name a few.

You can benefit by specifically including apples, blueberries, plums, strawberries, cherries, raspberry, pomegranate, broccoli, spinach, rosemary, thyme, basil, curcumin, and other spices; dark chocolate, flaxseed meal,  red wine,  resveratrol containing foods,  weak black tea, peppermint tea, green tea.

So worth looking into including more of these to support a healthier gut.

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

Travelling over these Holidays?

Furtherest from your mind I know but a little bit of holiday first aid won’t go astray!

You see it’s possible to pick up a gut infection or even nasty virus while you’re away so having some support is a great idea.

Immune system support 

We can help you with good quality vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea, Super Mushroom complex and some of the key herbs and nutrients to help support your Immune system.

– Digestive system support for traveling overseas is recommended just in case you get food poisoning or catch some sort of stomach bug.

So to support your gut while traveling, something like a probiotic or a good herbal formula to help reduce your risk of bacterial or parasitic infection is great.

– Stomach Bugs. If you do end up on antibiotics while you’re away specific probiotics strains will help reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea and also protect your gut bacteria from the antibiotic. Besides this there are a  number of herbs that have antibacterial and anti-parasite action in the digestive system and these can help reduce your chances of catching a stomach bug.

Just Keep Moving

– Try to keep moving so your exercise doesn’t fall by the wayside (even a ten-minute walk will do ).

– If you have a pedometer lying at the back of your top drawer – it may be time to get it out so that you can aim for about 10,000 steps a day.

– Include a Christmas Day morning walk and what about adding a walk around the block after your Christmas feast. Nice time to check out the neighbourhood gardens and Christmas decorations.

– What about even going out to the park to play with the new toys with the kids.

Tempting Food

You don’t have to miss out, but it is worth taking these ideas on board:

– Watch your food portion size.  Perhaps use a smaller plate.

– Even chewing your food really slowly and waiting about 20 minutes after finishing your meal to see if you really want seconds.

– Carbohydrates, the starchier the better, seems to be the catchphrase for Christmas. These carbohydrates are really just sugars in disguise, so try to limit these.

– Besides this, over Christmas, it’s virtually impossible to avoid real sugar.

And while enjoying your second serve of trifle, it’s easy to forget that sugars are easily converted to fat and that sugar can also affect stress and the immune system.

– So reach for some beautiful cherries or stone fruit and try to avoid snacking on chocolates and biscuits and cakes and ice cream and lollies and all those Christmas items that at this time of the year are so easily accessible.

You want this to be a fun time, not an “I feel so sick” time.

Stress Overload and Sleep Deprivation

These tend to be pretty normal at this time of year.
– So worth noting that elevated stress (last minute shopping, sprucing up and decorating the house and garden because you’re doing a huge lunch this year) can affect your quality of sleep which isn’t good for your waistline. Research shows that lack of sleep will increase your appetite and also influence the number of calories you consume. So try to pace yourself.

Stress Helpers

Withania is a great herb to use in times of stress. It will calm an agitated nervous system and give a bit of an energy boost. With this being the case it might just be the herb you need to help you through the festive season and all the preparations you have to do before Christmas.

Magnesium

Magnesium (or Christmas Magic) is natures relaxer. Most of us are deficient in magnesium and it is the second most common deficiency in the Western world (after Zinc) It helps stress it helps sleep as well as anxiety and it’s a great mineral to take over the Christmas. And any stressful time of the year.

So now I feel you are pretty well equipped with ’first aid’ knowledge to have a lovely holiday….

Take the step toward a healthier you!
Call 9879 9596 and book an appointment today!
or

Book on Line Here

 

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne