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Minding your Minerals

8th May 2020 by Gretta Cullen Leave a Comment

We live in the ‘developed’ world and we believe our food supply to be superior- and in some ways it is- unfortunately, when it comes to nutrient density, it is less than optimal, especially in regards to mineral content.
In the last 50 or so years there’s been an unprecedented change in how our food is grown, stored and sold. This change has enabled us to have cherries from the US in the middle of winter and lychees from China, however the vitamin and mineral content during this time has been steadily declining. The processing of foods into packaged ‘food products’ has contributed to food containing almost zero nutrition and a bunch of calories with a shelf life of many years.

In Europe, as in most parts of the world, it is now acknowledged that our soils have become depleted of many vital minerals. Plants get their minerals from the earth- if the soil doesn’t contain them, the plants won’t contain them either and neither will our bodies! The quantities of vital minerals like magnesium, iodine, calcium, potassium, selenium and others have all greatly diminished in our soils and subsequently in our fruit and vegetables. Here is an interesting comparison of the mineral content of veg from 80 years ago compared to today:

mineral-decline-in-vegetables

Why do we need minerals?

Minerals are vital for our body’s functioning. They are the spark plugs of life. They are required in very small amounts, but without them we would literally not exist.

A host of modern diseases have their roots in mineral deficiencies: cancer, arthritis, asthma, autism, Alzheimers, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease, to name a few. Unfortunately, the modern medical model ignores these vital parts required for our bodies. There are many natural health care practitioners and integrative doctors who believe that if our population had adequate levels of minerals in our bodies, a huge proportion of disease could be prevented.

What many practitioners are finding nowadays are rampant mineral deficiencies and imbalances amongst adults as well as children.

minerals

A few examples of what mineral deficiencies can look like:

-A person who is undergoing serious stress at work (even temporarily) and has poor reserves of magnesium (as 95% of the population do) with a family history of cardiovascular issues (how common is that) may begin to experience insomnia, anxiety/panic attacks, arrhythmias, muscle twitches and leg cramps.

-A child who was breastfed then moved to iron fortified cereal and drinks 2-3 glasses of cow’s milk per day is highly likely to have iron deficiency anaemia. The huge intake of calcium from the milk and the poor absorption of iron from the processed rice cereal would lead to an inadequate intake of dietary iron. This will be reflected in poor growth, low energy, poor school performance and poor immune health. This is a very common situation today.

-A person who doesn’t eat much seafood, fish or seaweed (how many kids eat these?) will be deficient in iodine. In fact, in 2006 the National Iodine Nutrition Study (NINS, the largest study of its kind in Australia) examined iodine levels of 1700 Australian school kids and found that “iodine deficiency is widespread amongst the population”. The study confirmed that “even mild iodine deficiency can lead to reduced intellectual capacity and IQ, impaired psychomotor development and increased incidence of ADHD”.

-A deficiency of zinc can lead to a multitude of problems, including immune dis-regulation, hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid- extremely common), parasites/bacterial overgrowth, weak nails/skin/hair and so many others. Zinc deficiency and imbalances are very common today.

-An imbalance between zinc and copper can lead to antisocial/violent behaviour, alcoholism, and psychological disorders. Researchers have found this imbalance to be very common in aggressive/antisocial children.

-Heavy metal toxicity (common in children and adults alike) due to food and environmental exposure will cause an imbalance with beneficial minerals, such as zinc and iron and will impact immune function, mood, detoxification, behaviour and many other facets of health.

As you can see, minerals and their balance are extremely important for our optimal health and function and if not corrected early, can cause a lifetime of health issues, often misdiagnosed.

Hair Mineral Analysis

Fortunately, there are reliable ways of testing mineral and heavy metal levels through a Hair Analysis. A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a test that measures mineral levels in the ’tissues’- of which hair is a good indicator.

A small amount of hair (about a teaspoon) is cut and collected for analysis. The laboratory then issues a full analysis and report on the levels and ratios of minerals in the body. I then use this information to design a health protocol, aimed at remineralizing, re nourishing and repairing the body. This is how l approach health & healing by establishing the Root Cause of the imbalance and not just treating the symptoms.

I also use a specially designed Blood Panel together with the HTMA, the main reason for this is blood levels of mineral will always stay within a narrow physiological range. For example, blood calcium and iron levels are regulated tightly by the body because if these vital minerals were out of range in the blood, our heart would stop and our brain wouldn’t receive any oxygen! The body maintains optimum levels in the blood at the expense of peripheral tissues. That’s why using the HTMA together with the Bloodwork is a good barometer of how the body is functioning, remember change in function happens long before a disease will be diagnosed, so using this as a disease prevention model together with assessment of The Root Cause of an imbalance leading to a disease label is very successful. This approach is about treating the individual NOT the disease.

Hair analysis is also a great non-invasive way to monitor children’s health –

Hair analysis gives us a detailed and informative look into our metabolism, toxicity, nervous system function as well as being an indicator of mineral reserves.

I regularly use Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis & Bloodwork with great results in my clinic.

Doctors warn not to skip regular appointments and health checks

2nd May 2020 by Gretta Cullen Leave a Comment

Doctors are warning not to skip regular appointments and health checks with fears tens of thousands of people are putting off tests they need to manage cancer, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

It comes as coronavirus testing continues to expand across the country and GPs increasingly rely on tele-health to keep patients safe. The real and long term cost of the pandemic is yet unknown. Please be sure not to put your very real health conditions on hold because they seem less important right now. Your physical and mental health are very important. There are many ways to prioritise your health without burdening the healthcare system.
This pandemic has shown us just how important it is to avoid chronic health conditions that are huge risk factors and how important it is to support the immune system.

With regard to your Breast Health don’t forget the importance of carrying out regular Self Breast Examinations. See the link below detailing exactly how to preform this accurately.

How To Do A Self-Breast Exam

Consider a Breast Thermography assessment see the article l wrote earlier this year explaining the use of Mammography and Thermography in breast health assessment:

.https://thermographyireland.ie/2020/01/thermography-vs-mammography/

Prioritise your diet and support your immune system- book your Inital Consultation now:

How To Do A Self-Breast Exam

27th April 2020 by Gretta Cullen Leave a Comment

Regular self-breast exams are something every woman should feel comfortable and confident doing as a part of a healthy routine. Follow our guide to discover the two-step method that will help you carry out a thorough self-breast exam. Of course, home breast checks do not replace a professional diagnosis, so if you’re at all concerned, we recommend you consult your doctor or gynecologist as soon as you spot anything out of the ordinary.

The mirror self-breast check

Start your self-breast check by stripping down to a bare upper body. Choose a quiet and warm spot with good lighting where you can stand or sit in front of a mirror. Look at your breasts in the mirror and check:

Your breasts are their usual size, shape and color
Your armpit area, raise your arms above your head to check thoroughly here
If there are any noticeable visual changes, like swellings or distortions you should consult with your doctor. (While some soreness can be caused by PMS, look out for redness, dimpling, nipple changes, rashes or bulging of the skin.)

Don’t worry if there are differences in shape and size between your breasts. Our bodies are not completely symmetrical and its common for our breasts to be different to each other. What’s important is that you look for changes to your breasts and any developing symptoms in these home breast exams. This means it’s important we carry out monthly breast exams so we know what’s different.

Self-breast exam steps: check for breast lumps with your fingertips

To carry out the best physical breast exam on yourself at home, you should check your breasts in different positions. You can easily check while lying down when you wake up in the morning or before you go to sleep at night.

When you’re lying flat the breast tissue spreads evenly making this a good time to check for breast lumps. You can place a pillow under your back to make the surface flat and comfortable.

It’s also important to check for breast lumps and changes while you’re standing or sitting up – you might find this more comfortable and easier to do in the shower when your skin is slippery. Tip: You could also try using massage oil or baby oil.

Use your opposite hand to feel your breast, so your right hand to check your left breast and vice versa. Keep fingers straight and together and use the fingertips with a firm, smooth touch.

Either start from the nipple, moving outwards in a circular motion, or opt for a more up and down approach. There is no right or wrong way to do the exam, so choose what feels most comfortable for you.

It’s important you cover the entire area from your abdomen to your collarbone and from your armpit to the center of your chest.

If you’ve noticed anything unusual, don’t panic – 8 out of 10 lumps aren’t cancerous. However, please take the time to speak to your doctor or gynecologist if you spot any changes during the exam.

Regular mammograms, especially in women over 40, are also an important part of screening for breast cancer and these can catch irregularities even earlier.

When is the best time to carry out a breast exam?

This is shortly after your period has finished as your breasts are less likely to be swollen or sore due to PMS symptoms and we’re less sensitive to pain during this period.

Thanks for reading our self-breast exam guidelines. If you’re interested in learning more about your body, your hormones and your breast health visit us at – www.thermographyireland.ie.

Science Confirms That the Vagus Nerve Is Key to Well-being & Strong Immunity

24th April 2020 by Gretta Cullen Leave a Comment

The mysterious nerve network that quiets pain and stress — and may defeat disease

Take a deep breath. Hug a friend. Reach for the ceiling and stretch your limbs. Each of these simple acts bestows a sense of calm and comfort. And each works its soothing magic in part by activating a complicated system of nerves that connects the brain to the heart, the gut, the immune system, and many of the organs. That system is known collectively as the vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve is one of the twelve cranial nerves, which sprawl out from the brain and into the body like an intricate network of roots. These nerve networks act as lines of communication between the brain and the body’s many systems and organs. Some of the cranial nerves interpret sensory information collected by the skin, eyes, or tongue. Others control muscles or communicate with glands.

The vagus nerve, also called the “10th cranial nerve,” is the longest, largest, and most complex of the cranial nerves, and in some ways it’s also the least understood. Experts have linked its activity to symptom changes in people with migraine headaches, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, epilepsy, arthritis, and many other common ailments. The more science learns about the nerve, the more it seems like a better understanding of the vagus nerve function could unlock new doors to treating all manner of human suffering.

Vagus is Latin for “wandering,” which is apt when one considers all the different parts of the body the vagus nerve reaches. “It seems like every year somebody finds a new organ or system that it talks with,” says Tiffany Field, PhD, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

“There’s a massive bioelectrical and biochemical series of events that the vagus nerve is responsible for, and all that is almost impossible to map.”

Field says that branches of the vagus nerve are connected to the face and voice. “We know that depressed people have low vagal activity, and this is associated with less intonation and less-active facial expressions,” she explains. A separate branch of the vagus nerve runs down to the gastrointestinal tract. Here, low vagal activity is associated with slowed gastric motility, which interferes with proper digestion, she says.

Still other branches of the vagus nerve are connected to the heart, the lungs, and the immune system. The vagus nerve’s activation or deactivation is tied to the ebb or flow of hormones such as cortisol and the digestive hormone ghrelin, the amount of inflammation the immune system produces, and many other internal processes that shape human health and experience. “There’s a massive bioelectrical and biochemical series of events that the vagus nerve is responsible for, and all that is almost impossible to map,” Field says.

How could one nerve system control so much? While some aspects of vagal activity are inscrutable, it’s clear that the nerve is the governor of the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps control the body’s relaxation responses. In simple terms, heightened vagal activity counteracts the stress response, which involves the sympathetic nervous system. “The sympathetic nervous system is fight or flight, while the parasympathetic nervous system is more chill out,” says Stephen Silberstein, MD, a professor of neurology and director of the Headache Center at Philadelphia’s Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals.

Silberstein co-wrote a comprehensive 2016 review of the research on the vagus nerve. He says that heightened vagal activity slows heart rate and also switches off inflammation, in part by triggering the release of immune system calming chemicals. There’s also evidence that activating the vagus nerve through electronic stimulation can produce a range of health benefits. “Depending on the frequency of the stimulation, we know it can turn off an asthma attack or an epileptic seizure,” Silberstein says. “It can turn off a migraine or cluster headache, and it can decrease the perception of acid reflux.”

Pick almost any common medical condition that’s made worse by stress or inflammation — everything from arthritis to inflammatory bowel disease — and there’s research showing that vagus nerve stimulation can help treat it or relieve its symptoms.

In the past, this stimulation required a surgical implant in the chest that transmits electrical pulses directly into the vagus nerve. But some newer, noninvasive devices — including one that has FDA approval for the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches — are capable of stimulating the vagus nerve when pressed against the skin of the neck. Silberstein says doctors are exploring the use of vagus nerve stimulation for a wide range of diseases and disorders, including afflictions of the mind.

“More and more, we’re learning how critical vagal activity is to attention and mood,” says Field. Already, there’s evidence that stimulating the vagus nerve may improve working memory or help people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. And since the early 2000s, the FDA has approved vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of some forms of depression.

While electronic stimulation holds promise — and, in some cases, is already providing relief — for people with a range of ailments, Field says there are plenty of ways to stimulate vagal activity without a device or implant. “We know that massage and yoga promote parasympathetic nervous system activity, which is vagal activity,” she says.

Her research has shown that these and many related activities increase vagal activity via pressure receptors buried beneath the surface of the skin — receptors located throughout the body, and ones that only firm pressure or a deep stretch can reach. She points out that light touching or stroking is arousing, while a bear hug or powerful handshake are inherently soothing. “A strong hug or a handshake promote parasympathetic activity,” she says.

Silberstein says that almost anything people find relaxing — meditation, deep breathing — is also associated with heightened vagal activity and parasympathetic nervous system activity. “We did studies in the past showing that patients with migraine have impaired vagal activity,” he says. “We tried to fix that by doing yoga or deep-breathing meditation, and we found a lot of those things enabled us to activate the vagal nerve.” On the other hand, stress and anxiety are associated with depressed vagal activity, which may help to explain why these conditions are linked with an increased risk for other maladies.

There’s still a lot about the vagus nerve science doesn’t understand. But as doctors uncover more of its secrets, these discoveries are revealing new and more effective ways to relieve pain, inflammation, sadness, and disease.

The Dangers of Hand Sanitizers

23rd April 2020 by Gretta Cullen Leave a Comment

If you squirt hand sanitizer thinking it’s a safe way to clean your hands… think again.

It’s likely doing more harm than good to you and your family…

Here are 3 newly discovered dangers of hand sanitizers that you must avoid…

1) Weakens Your Immune System

New reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration… and the University of Michigan School of Public Health…

Show certain ingredients inside of hand sanitizers… can weaken your immune system.

And compromising your immune system in times like this…

With a fast-spreading virus…

That preys on folks with already compromised immune systems… is life or death.

I hate that it’s this way… but it’s true.

And I know you’re someone who wants to keep yourself and loved ones safe…

So instead of using traditional chemical-based sanitizers…

Which is a trap that millions of parents have fallen into already…

Use a natural-based hand sanitizer that keeps your immune system protected

2) Antibiotic Resistance

Using chemical-based hand sanitizers can make you resistant to antibiotics…

In fact…

A study published by the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention…

Found health care employees who used hand sanitizer for routine hand washing…

Were 6 TIMES more likely to contract certain viruses.

So if you or a loved one are in health care…

Especially right now…

It’s critical you find a safe and effective hand cleansing alternative to keep healthy during the current outbreak.

3) Hormone Disruption

Triclosan, the chemical in most antibacterial soaps has been shown to interact with chlorine in the water to form chloroform gas. On top of that, it has been shown to be a hormone disruptor, especially in children.

Hormone balance helps keep your body in homeostasis…

Which is a factory setting where our immune system and body are most healthy…

Yet when our hormones get disrupted…

It can WEAKEN your immune system…

Increase your risk of contracting the flu or virus…

And it can have serious side effects… especially on young kids…

I get that we are in scary times…

And maybe the best and simplest way to keep your family safe and healthy…

Is by ditching traditional hand sanitizers…

And trading them for a natural solution that clears away germs WITHOUT harsh ingredients… Check out this short video which details how to make a natural hand saniziter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biuepCKFrHQ

WHEN YOU CAN’T GO OUTSIDE, GO INSIDE!

5th April 2020 by Gretta Cullen Leave a Comment

THESE extreme and unprecedented times that we’re all going through is likely taking its toll on everyone.

You will no doubt feel daily, and perhaps even hourly, a flip-flopping of emotions, as your mind tries to adjust to what is a shocking situation.

In the seconds after you wake do you lie there trying to figure out if it was all just a bizarre dream, only to realise it’s a new reality?

You will undoubtedly feel vulnerable and cut off from the rest of the world as you enter lockdown and you find that you now must adjust to an alien state of mind.

As you get used to your new reality, you should take steps to make sure you look after your physical and mental health in these trying times.

There are some very simple, yet incredible, ways that you can maintain your physical and mental health:

Yoga
Meditation
Breath-work

These activities have numerous known cognitive benefits which include enhanced focus, decreased mind wandering, improved emotional response and more. In addition to this, Yoga, Meditation and Breathwork can be used to help you overcome anxiety, restlessness, depression, PTSD and mental fatigue.

Breath-focused meditation and yogic breathing help instill serenity and release pent-up emotions, grudges and traumas, which ultimately affect your mental state.

‘The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.’

How can meditation help me relax?

Meditation can help you become less reactive as it nurtures your emotional and spiritual self.

Are there any medical benefits?

There are many proven benefits of meditation including reduced anxiety and depression, blood pressure control and pain management.

How does it work?

Meditation synchronises the whole brain so that both hemispheres act as one, putting you in a hyper-focused state.

Studies have been carried out at different universities including UCLA, Harvard and Yale, concluding that meditation changes the structure of the brain, increases the ability of memory and learning, and decreases fear, anxiety and stress.

It has even been shown to act as an effective anti-depressant as the brain is plastic (can change and adapt) and learns through stimulus. The more consistent you are with meditation, the greater the effect it can have.

How long should I meditate for?

When you first start meditating you may find it hard to ‘switch off’ and think that you have too many thoughts whirling around your head; however, in time you will have fewer thoughts and at some point be able to get into a meditative state easier. As you undergo mindfulness training you will be able to not only see but understand your thoughts and separate yourself from them.

In the beginning, start with 5 minutes, and continually build upon this to reach your desired mindfulness time – 20 minutes per day has shown to be effective. Taking time out of your day to unwind, be present, and relax your mind is of vital importance in maintaining mental and physical wellbeing.

Consistency is king. The more consistent you are the more effective meditation is. Because you are training your brain, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Visualise and think of mindful mediation like any other muscle, it takes time and practice to build.

How do I meditate?

The process of meditation is straightforward, easy, and free.

Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, focus on your breath and let your mind work its magic.

Simply and slowly breathe in for five breaths, hold for five, and breathe out for 5.

To help you switch off, you can start by scanning your body, from your head to your toe and acknowledging the sensations and how each body part feels. Take it back to your breath and concentrate. You can play relaxing music, jazz or use a guided meditation on an App or YouTube.

The easiest way to ensure you are consistent with your meditation practice is to add it to your routine. Most people find it best to do this in the morning e.g. after brushing their teeth and before a morning coffee, for others they prefer an evening practice to release stress and tension from the day.

Find a ‘go-to-place’ where you can practice your meditation to make getting into a routine that little bit easier.

Remember there is no right or wrong so be patient with yourself, become aware of your thoughts but remember to let them go and come back your breath. They are only thoughts.

Some apps you can use for guided meditations include- Calm and Headspace. We put together some of our favourites for you to try: