Collagen – does it live up to the hype?
I was recently asked if I would create a Collagen Powder Guide similar to the protein guide so as part of that I thought I would have a look at the research on collagen to start with. What is Collagen? Collagen is a structural protein and is specifically found where...
Sulforaphane – the wonder woman nutrient
This is one of my favourite supplements… Sulforaphane is a natural chemical found in specific plants from the brassica family e.g. broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale etc. and over the last few years there has been a bit of a buzz about it (its not the new kid on the...
Wheat, Gluten or Fructans Intolerance – what’s the difference?
Gluten intolerance is pretty common with many people having been diagnosed with coeliac disease or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. According to Coeliac NZ, 10% of the population are gluten intolerant and 80% of those with an ‘intolerance’ actually have undiagnosed...
Managing Acid Reflux
What is reflux? Acid reflux is when the contents of your stomach move upwards into your oesphagus (food pipe) and sometimes into the back of your throat. Sometimes it can feel like you have ‘thrown up’ in your mouth. Its technical term is gastroesophageal reflux...
Quercetin – Queen of Antioxidants
Have you heard of something called quercetin? It’s another trendy substance that is beneficial for health - but what is it and is it worth the hype? What is Quercetin? Quercetin is a flavonoid, a natural pigment found in plants. It is particularly...
Why your Mouth is the Driver of both Health and Disease
There is a HUGE connection between our oral health and the health of the rest of the body including the gut and of course a connection between our gut health and our oral health - no one way streets here. Gum disease not only causes problems in the gut but is also...
What the heck are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are all the rage at the moment, so let's cover what they are and why they are so trendy and important. You will have all heard the term probiotic - which is a bacteria or yeast that is considered beneficial to the host (i.e. us). I'll explain how...
Is your Gut getting on your Nerves?
Our nervous system is made up of nerves and chemicals that act as messengers for the body. It's like the software of a computer communicating with the hardware of our body (the organs, muscles and bones) and telling them what to do. The Autonomic Nervous...
The amazing link between the gut and emotions
The idea that the gut and the brain are closely connected and interact is deeply rooted in the language we use such as ‘gut wrenching’, ‘sick to my stomach’, ‘butterflies in my stomach’, ‘feel nauseous’, ‘gut feeling’ … We use these expressions for a reason. The...
Hormones and Digestion
What is a hormone? A hormone is really a chemical messenger (a bit like email) produced by glands via a trigger (specific hormones produced by specific glands) and then travel through the bloodstream to act on target organs (cells) in order to create a specific...