Feedback, whether it is perceived as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, is vital to ensuring your continued health success and is always welcomed.

A good example of ‘bad feedback’, in the context of undertaking a food elimination diet where food sensitivities/intolerances are suspected, is what the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) describe as the ‘withdrawal effect‘. Some people can experience a temporary ‘flare-up’ in their symptoms that can include headaches, nausea, fatigue, skin eruptions and other such ‘bad’ or ‘negative’ symptoms. However, these usually are brief or can last up to 10 days after which, it is common that the symptoms settle down. This ‘bad’ feedback should be communicated as it usually indicates underlying intolerances and is considered a normal part of the healing process.

There are many other examples of ‘bad’ feedback in naturopathic practise, which actually can help direct treatment options.

Communication and feedback is actively encouraged, after all, you know your body better than anyone else.

Impedance testing, a technology that has been credited to NASA for its development from the 1960’s onwards, is measured when a safe electrical signal is passed through the body, carried by water and fluids. Impedance is greatest in fat tissue, which contains only 10-20% water, while fat-free mass, which contains 70-75% water, allows the signal to pass much more easily.

In recent years it has been researched, refined and increasingly validated as a tool for measuring body composition (weight, body fat percentage, muscle percentage, water percentage, bone mass). The technology is now referred to as bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA).

BIA measurements can be affected by – hydration status, caffeine, alcohol, recent exercise, prescription drugs, diuretics, menstrual cycle, and illness.

Nature’s Medicine uses BIA scales that uses the hospital grade standard Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) as a reference model. The scales have been reliably tested to be within 5% accuracy of DEXA.

This measurement tool allows the calculation of the potential risk to your future health that might result from carrying extra weight.  These measurements are taken together with other biometric measurements to identify potential risk factors.  These measurements are indicative, consistency is key in monitoring results, for example, weighing at the same time of day.

Note: BIA testing is not suitable for pregnant women.

References –

http://jap.physiology.org/content/jap/103/5/1688.full.pdf 

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8912424&fileId=S0007114512003698 

http://lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/lsda_data/dataset_inv_data/NAG91039__2580458538.pdf_BRC_NAG91039_2011_258_050905.pdf 

http://lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/scripts/experiment/exper.aspx?exp_index=1249

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167876003001430

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272638610010462

The clinic uses specialised BIA scales for a range of purposes.

If you use one of the following watches, you can sync with the scales to get your data –

• Garmin Forerunner 910XT
• Garmin Forerunner 610
• Garmin Forerunner 310XT
• Garmin Forerunner 210 watch
• Garmin Edge 810
• Garmin Edge 800
• Garmin Egde 510
• Garmin FR-70
• Garmin FR-60

The Urinary Indican (or Obermeyer) test is an accurate, simple and efficient screening tool for the presence of dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance) in the gut.  This can lead to excessive metabolic toxicity that can trigger an inflammatory response and compromise optimal wellbeing.

HOW DOES THE TEST WORK?

Tryptophan, an amino acid, is converted to indole that is excreted in faeces; but putrefaction by dysbiotic bacteria in the gut, converts indole to indican, which is then transported to the liver and converted to indoxyl, which is subsequently transported to the  kidneys for excretion in the urine. The test detects the presence of indicans in the urine (also known as indoxyl suplhate and indoxyl glucuronate).

The test can be affected by high protein diets or insufficient protein digestion.

SOME CAUSES OF A POSITIVE INDICAN TEST:

A positive test result could indicate:-

SYMPTOMS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TOXICITY MAY INCLUDE:

• Constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel symptoms
• Bloating, flatulence (offensive), indigestion
• Fatigue
• Muscle aching or weakness, joint aches/pains
• Allergies, food sensitivites and/or intolerances
• Skin disorders such as acne, eczema and psoriasis
• Mood swings, poor memory, recurrent headaches
• Poor immune function
• Thrush, tinea, recurrent urinary tract infections
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Weight gain

COMMON MICRO-ORGANISMS FOUND TO CONTRIBUTE TO POSITIVE INDICAN TESTS INCLUDE:

Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni,yersinia enterocolitica, Citrobacter freundi, Citrobacter diversus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, some strains of Escherichia coli, Staphyloccocus aureus, some strains of bacteriodes, Clostridium difficile, candida albicans, other candida species etc

REQUIREMENTS FOR A URINARY INDICAN TEST:

• No alcohol within 24hrs before the test.
• No iodine or bile supplements taken in high doses 3 – 4 days prior to testing (these create a false positive test).
• Kelp & other supplements (e.g Bladderwrack herbal tincture) high in iodine should be avoided for three days before taking urine sample.
• A meal with some protein to ensure adequate amounts of tryptophan (required for an accurate test result) should be eaten the night before the sample is taken – but not in excess.
• Appointments need to be made for this test.
• Specimen does not need to be any more than 20 ml urine.
• Collect your first urine specimen of the morning, mid-stream in the clean specimen container. It is important to use first morning urine as indican levels can reduce throughout the day.
• Urine sample should be refrigerated until arrival at consultation.
• Testing and review of results takes approximately 15 mins.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The urinary indican test is the first step in determining whether you have a bacterial imbalance, i.e. your good/bad bacteria are out of balance. If the test shows a strong positive and you have severe gut symtoms, then the next step is usually a Complete Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) to ascertain which bacteria are out of balance and if any other parasites or yeast/fungi are present in the gut. An additional or subsequent test is the Intestinal Permeability (IP) test, which indicates if the dysbiotic bacteria have damaged the gastrointestinal wall lining. Damage to the gastrointestinal wall lining affects absorption, your optimal health and can lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome.

HOW CAN NATUROPATHY HELP YOU?

After a thorough review of all test results, health history, current symptoms and health goals, a personalised program of detoxification and repair will be discussed with you.

This would most likely include:

• reducing toxic exposure through dietary, environmental and lifestyle changes
• reducing inflammatory load and stabilising the digestive system & supporting organs (liver, gall bladder, kidneys)
• renewing and repairing the lining of the digestive tract
• improving digestive function
• neutralising reactive metabolites, e.g. lipopolysaccharides (LPS)
• removing unwanted bacteria, metabolic waste, fungal and parasitic overgrowths
• rebalancing the opportunistic ‘bad’ bacteria with healthy ones
• supporting the body to eliminate toxins more effectively

References –  

http://www.cfma.com.tw/%E5%B0%BF%E6%B6%B2%E6%9C%89%E6%A9%9F%E9%85%B8%E7%9A%84%E5%88%86%E6%9E%90%E8%88%87%E6%87%89%E7%94%A8Clinical%20Applications%20of%20Urinary%20Organic%20Acids.%20Part%202.%20Dysbiosis%20Markers.pdf

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2982.2009.01370.x/full

The World Health Organisation defines ‘health’ –

“…as a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health is a resource for everyday life, not the object of living, and is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities. Health is a fundamental human right, recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)“.

An holistic health model focuses on the whole person (one of the core principles of Naturopathy) and recognises that the client is at the core of healthcare treatment, not the disease. This model of healthcare treatment has, in recent years, become synonymous with Holistic Medicine or Integrative Medicine.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that “People’s lifestyles can have a major impact on their health“¹.

The term ‘Lifestyle Disease’ refers to “a disease associated with the way a person or group of people lives”² and include diseases such as –

• atherosclerosis
• heart disease & stroke
• obesity
• NIDDM (Type 2 Diabetes)
• and diseases associated with poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse.

In Australia, the term ‘lifestyle disease’ is synonymous with ‘chronic disease’³.

Personalised lifestyle medicine is the application of an individualised treatment approach that focuses on prevention and health promotion (see the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association for more information).

¹ABS Publication – 1370.0 – Measures of Australia’s Progress, 2010; <http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1370.0~2010~Chapter~Lifestyle%20behaviours%20(4.1.6.6) > 

²WebMD – http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=38316 

³ See – <http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/chronic#com> 

Your doctor has prescribed medication for a medical reason. You should never cease medication without discussing this with your medical practitioner first. In fact, there are some prescription medications that should not be ceased suddenly or without the supervision of your medical practitioner, as this could cause more harm than good.

In assessing health & wellness options for you, all the interactions, contraindications and warnings indicated for food, herbal medicine and supplement options will be advised. Depending on your case, this may require further research and investigation.

Australian healthcare industry accepted databases such as MIMSOnline, Natural Standard, IMGateway and the Cochrane Collaboration are used to access information about interactions, contraindications and warnings.

Informed choice means that you have been given all relevant information about a treatment option (including nutrition and herbal supplements) that enables you to make a decision about your health care.

Education and knowledge underpins your informed choice.

Your health and wellness is ultimately your responsibility and your choice. In fact, the Australian Government set up the Australian National Preventive Health Agency (ANPHA, mandated by the Australian National Preventive Health Agency Act 2010; now part of the federal Department of Health) to help provide information to all Australians in taking responsibility for their own health and lifestyle choices. In the publication titled, State of Preventive Health 2013, contributors repeatedly iterate that ‘all Australians must take responsibility for their own health‘. Part of taking responsibility for your own health requires making informed choices.

All relevant health information and education will be presented ‘up-front and centre’ focusing on transparency (including costs), informed health choices, achieving desired health outcomes and two-way feedback that supports your health goals.

Feedback, whether it is perceived as good or bad, is vital to ensuring your continued health success and is always welcomed.

Liquid herbs and supplements are more easily absorbed by the digestive system. The technical term is that they are more ‘bioavailable’. When your digestive system is over-burdened whether because of chronic disease, poor food choices, or even chronic constipation, amongst other reasons, it is difficult for your body to properly digest, absorb or assimilate vital nutrients. Using liquids requires minimal digestion, and therefore the body can utilise them more efficiently, giving faster results.