Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Beetroot Juice and Blood Pressure


Beetroot juice “could save your life” claimed the Daily Mail (June 29, 2010), and they're right!

Beetroot juice contains nitrates, chemicals that reduces blood pressure and therefore cut the risk of heart disease and stroke. The article (here http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1290434/Drinking-beetroot-juice-dramatically-lowers-risk-heart-disease-strokes.html) was based on the results of a clinical trial where patients who drank a glass of beetroot juice a day were found to have significantly lower blood pressure within 24 hours.

"The findings, published in Hypertension, the journal of the American Heart Association, could now see beetroot juice being used as a treatment. Researchers at William Harvey Research Institute at Queen Mary University in London compared patients who were given a 250ml glass of beetroot juice a day with those who took nitrate tablets.
They found that the two methods were equally successful in reducing blood pressure.
The researchers concluded that the nitrates which naturally occur in beetroot are the cause of its beneficial effects. They produce a gas known as nitric oxide in the blood which widens blood vessels and arteries and lowers blood pressure".

Do we sell Beetroot juice here at EFN South Melbourne? You bet'cha! We stock the Biotta certified organic Beetroot Juice, and I can promise you that it is quite delicious aswell!

Posted by Hannah Denham (Naturopath)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tart Cherries - a Superfood for Better Sleep and Pain Relief!

The benefits of supplementing with Melatonin, (a powerful hormone & antioxidant which helps to regulate sleep patterns) have been very well documented in clinical studies worldwide (including recent research conducted by the University of Texas Health Science)...however, unfortunately under TGA regulations in Australia, is only available with a script from your doctor.


But there is an answer, Tart Cherries!


Tart Cherries are one of the rare natural foods that contain Melatonin, which is great news for overseas travellers with jet lag, people who suffer from insomnia, and may also be useful in helping to treat depression!

Tart Cherries are also very high in rich anthocyanins, which help to reduce inflammation and have similar pain blocking properties to aspirin and ibuprofen!

Dried Tart Cherries have a ORAC score of 6,800, 3 times higher than fresh blueberries, and contain other important nutrients, such as Betacarotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium, Magnesium, Fibre and Folate. They are a true superfood offering a range of health benefits! :)
Posted by Hannah Denham (Naturopath)

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Herbal Medicine for the Skin


Got a skin problem? Did you know that adding specific herbs to creams and using them topically can aid in the soothing and healing of different skin conditions? Whilst medicated creams can offer relief they are often unsuitable for long term use and more often than not the problem just keeps coming back to haunt you! Herbal creams are safe, effective, and offer a great alternative especially on young and sensitive skin.


Here are some herbal creams you may find effective for your skin, if more than one herb sound like it would do you good you might find a combination product or come in store and we can make you a cream with the specific herbs you need.



Calendula: Our favourite herb for red, inflamed and irritated skin. Calendula is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic therefore helps to soothe burns, minor cuts, eczema and nappy rash.



Witch Hazel (Hamamelis): An astringent, anti inflammatory and antiseptic herb, this has proven effectiveness for the treatment of haemorrhoids both relieving symptoms and aiding the healing process. You can also use this herb as a treatment for, or as a preventative of varicose veins.

Thuja: Thuja is an anti fungal herb and therefore brilliant for treatment of Tinea, Worts, Candida and ringworm.

Nettle (Urtica): A soothing, demulcent herb, we use this to reduce itching. Nettle is great to add to other creams such as Calendula for eczema or sunburn; or to Witch Hazel for Haemorrhoids. Often if you can reduce the itch it allows the skin time to heal faster.


Tea Tree: God ol’ Tea tree! The original antiseptic used for generations to assist in preventing cuts, boils, skin infections, insect bites and pimples from becoming infected.

This is only a small list of the herbs which can be used topically to aid skin conditions. Unfortunately skin conditions can be notoriously difficult to treat; combining topical treatment with whole body treatment can result in finding the cause of the problem and therefore more sustainable improvements. Come in or message us for more details.

Friday, June 25, 2010

My Favorite NEW Product!

Yesterday we had an exciting delivery from Return 2 Health, with a couple of new products that im just busting to try! One of which is called 'VPure', a 100% vegan EPA/DHA supplement (actually stronger than alot of fish oils out there on the market these days!).

What is VPure?
VPure is made from an algae, that is grown in organically controlled conditions (not in the sea) which does not interfere with marine eco-systems, has no impact on fish stock and their food sources, and is totally 100% sustainable....yipee! :) (Here's a link to a trailer for the documentary "End of the Line", a pretty horrific reminder about what 'over fishing' and the fish oil industry is doing to our oceans, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bedirwk95Oc&feature=player_embedded)
The Omega 3 fats in this algae are rich in EPA (anti-inflammatory) and DHA (great for cognitive function, and anti-ageing) and free from the toxins and heavy metals that accumulate in oil-bearing fish, meaning that VPure is the safest option for pregnant women and children. Also, lets not forget those people out there with allergies towards fish and fish products, what a great alternative!

How Much EPA/DHA in VPure?
Heaps! Per capsule you'll be getting 350mg DHA, and 50mg EPA, plus ALA's (alpha-linoleic acid - another good guy to have on board!). The capsules are 100% vegan, so are gelatin free.

I think this might be my favorite new product here at Evelyn Faye Nutrtion! If you want anymore information about V-Pure just visit there website, http://www.v-pure.com/.
Posted by Hannah Denham (Naturopath)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

What's all this about Acid Alkaline Balance?


As a Naturopath, I am always encouraging clients to concentrate on an 'alkalizing' diet, as im sure you have heard before that an alkaline body is a healthy body, and an acidic body is a dis-eased body....But do we know what this means? I found the following article, written by Maryl Celiz for HLife (http://hlifemedia.com/) which helps to explain exactly what this means (Thanks Maryl!)

Being aware of the delicate pH balance of our bodies is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. This is directly affected by the foods we eat. Let’s explore how.

When it comes to the body and nutrition, it’s really all about the cell. The cell has to do a job, which is to keep us alive by providing us with energy to do what we need to do. The thing is, in this energy-generating process, the cell also creates waste byproducts. This is where pH comes in. The natural pH of blood is 7.365, but cellular byproducts are lower than that, what we would call acidic. Refreshing our memories from chem lab in school: The pH scale goes from 1-14, with 1 being the most acidic and 14 the most alkaline or “basic”. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. At 7.365, the healthy pH of our blood is slightly alkaline, while cellular byproducts are the opposite. Here is where our role in helping balance this out comes in – and the importance of food in this process.

Dr. Robert Young, a microbiologist and pioneer in alkalinity research, the problem with obesity and derivative diseases in this country is that “it’s not that we’re overweight, it’s that we’re over acid”. As Dr. Young explains in his book, The pH Miracle, the acid that is a natural waste product of cellular respiration needs to be eliminated through urination, defecation, perspiration and respiration in order for us to stay healthy. If we cannot eliminate the acid, it stays in our bodies in the form of body fat. Why fat? Because acid is corrosive and toxic to us, both internally and externally, and in order to keep our internal environment from becoming damaged with this acid that is not being eliminated (acid burns the skin, so you can imagine what it would do to our internal tissues and organs), fat molecules come to the rescue and sort of “trap” the acid molecules so they won’t “burn” us, and then these fat and acid (toxins) bundles take up residence in various peripheral areas of our bodies, such as our hips, stomachs, butts, etc…

Young and other researchers who swear by life blood analysis, it is an overly acid body that is the perfect environment for the development of cancer, obesity and yeast overgrowth, among other diseases. Corrosive thoughts that generate stress as well as a diet high in acid-forming foods and low in alkaline-forming foods that help “cleanse” or balance the blood, and even acidic water are the culprits. Water is supposed to have a neutral pH of 7, but as it is “processed” to get to us at the grocery store, it may become acidic (you’ve heard of acid rain, haven’t you? Same concept, only the acidity in the rain comes from our sadly polluted cities.)
When it comes to food, knowing which ones will generate acid and which ones will be alkaline in your body is a must. Following is an example of some foods and how they effect the pH balance of your body, so that you can start to get an idea of how what you eat reacts in your body.

Acid-forming foods include:- Sugar- Meat- Shellfish- Eggs- Dairy- Processed and refined foods- Dried fruits- Alcohol- Coffee- Chocolate- Sodas- White and wheat breads- Carbonated water- Acidic water
Alkaline-forming foods include:- Green leafy vegetables- Celery- Cucumber- Good fats- Seaweed- Avocado- Limes- Lemons- Grapefruit- Papaya- Pineapple- Watermelon

See any patterns here? Veggies and fruits top the alkaline list, while meat, dairy, and processed foods top the acid list. Still, this is a rough list. The pH scale is a range, and each foods falls on a different spot on the scale. In other words, some foods can be slightly alkaline-forming, while others are very alkaline-forming. The same goes for acid-forming ones: some, like beans, are slightly acid-forming and closer to neutral, while sugary drinks like sodas are way acidic. Keep this in mind when planning meals.

For those of you being exposed to the idea of body pH for the first time, but who are familiar with the glycemic index, this may be helpful. Dr. Grabriel Cousens, author of Spiritual Nutrition, puts it simply, relating it to blood sugar: A low-glycemic diet is alkaline and beneficial. A high-glycemic diet is acidic and unhealthy.

Another way to think of it is this: Foods that contain a large amount of chlorine, phosphorus, sulfur and nitrogen – for example, most animal products – tend to be acid forming. Foods rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium – for example, most vegetables – tend to be alkaline forming.
So how do we apply all of this to our healthy lifestyles? It’s about balance, and we can begin to balance our bodies by keeping our minds as free of stressful thoughts as possible, checking the pH of our water (you can always add fresh lime juice to your water to make it more alkaline) and following an 80-20 rule when it comes to acid/alkaline foods: 80% alkaline-forming, 20% acid-forming. By the way, Dr. Young explains that over-exercising is not good either, as it produces lactic acid in the tissues and makes us “fat”. So, exercise for flexibility, strength and cardiovascular (among other) benefits, but don’t kill yourself if weight-loss is what you’re after. Instead, be sure to eat right to help your body maintain its healthy pH balance and the extra fat off of your hips, belly and thighs. If you do exercise a lot because it is your passion, then alkaline-forming foods take on an even more important role in helping you get rid of acid byproducts. Besides protein shakes you may be fond of for tissue repair, be sure to add green juices to your diet. Also, deep breathing makes the blood more alkaline, so do not skip the cool down process. This will help keep the fluids at the right pH levels, waste out, and health in place. Over-acidic people’s personalities are typically described as grouchy, sensitive and exhausted, exhibiting aches, pains, headaches, problems with sleeping and often having tummy trouble and cravings (and therefore anxiety). So, taking the proper steps to balance your body’s pH will help maintain the health of your body AND mind, and help you project the best version of your own personality without the added emotional imbalances that result from an overly-acidic diet. It’s interesting to no that the acronym for the Standard American Diet – processed foods, too much meat and dairy – is SAD. Wouldn’t you rather be happy and healthy? Take care of your body pH by eating a vegetable-rich plant-based diet and watch how your mood changes.



Posted by Hannah Denham (Naturopath)

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Whey Protein Isolates : A comparison of our top 3 sellers!

MRI Anabolic Switch : Highly specialized creatine for 'round the clock anabolism!



What is creatine?
Creatine improves muscular strength & power output during short bursts of intense activity such as weight-training, sprinting, power-lifting & Olympic-lifting by drawing water into muscle cells & increasing the production of ATP (Adenosine Tri-phosphate).
What is Anabolic Switch?
Anabolic Switch is a timed-release creatine formula comprising 7 different forms of creatine, providing all-day anabolism. When your body is in an anabolic state, it's building and triggering the growth of new muscle tissue.
How is this different to other creatine supplements on the market?
Most other creatine supplements on the market such as those in monohydrate or ethyl ester form will simply improve strength over the course of a workout but will later leave your system. Anabolic Switch will actually keep your strength and power levels up all day long by linking each creatine source together so that as one source leaves the bloodstream, the next one enters it. This allows your muscle cells to be constantly saturated with creatine throughout the day. By adding 8 essential amino acids to the formula, Anabolic Switch becomes your 1-stop product for complete anabolism!
How do I use Anabolic Switch?
For best results, take 2 servings daily.
On training days : take 1 serve 30 minutes before training, and another serve within 30 minutes of completing your training session...
On non-training days : take 1 serve in the morning (outside of food), and another serve in the evening before bed...
*NOTE* make sure you are consuming a minimum of 3 litres of water each day to make sure your muscle cells are absorbing enough and to further prevent gastric upset.

POSTED BY : Elise Horder (Sports Nutrition Advisor)

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Meet Our Team!

Here at Evelyn Faye Nutrition we have well qualified and helpful staff who can answer all your questions regarding your health needs, here's a little about the team...


Hannah: With 8 years experience in the natural medicine industry, Hannah is a qualified Naturopath and Homeopath, specialising in Raw Food Nutrition, and currently undertaking a post grad in Nutrition. She is very passionate about Super Foods!

Elise: Elise is the fitness guru of the team. She is a qualified personal trainer and passionate cyclist. She is well informed on all our sports products and can help you if you want to gain weight, lose weight, increase endurance or simply recover from exercise better.

Leah: Leah is a naturopath and massage therapist, she has over 5 years experience and is happy to spend time with you to choose products which match your needs specifically and write you up some dietary or lifestyle reccomendations to match.

Michelle: Also a naturopath, Michelle looks at your health in a very holistic manner taking into account the effect of all aspects of your life on your health. She has a strong understanding of herbal medicine and is happy to mix you up a herbal remedy, tailoring it to suit your individual needs.



All staff are available for private consultations, currently we have a special introductory offer of an $80 initial consultation which also covers a follow up consultation. Health rebates may apply but please mention this prior to booking so we can book you in with the appropriate practitioner.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Well....Hello June!

New month, New Specials! So here they are...

Horleys ICE Whey 1.32Kg $83.95 (rrp $127)


Burts Bee's Ageless Range, now 50% OFF!



Fusion, Green Tea 60t $23.95 (rrp $36.50)




Herbs of Gold, Bulgarian Tribulis 60t + 30t FREE!!