RHEUMATIOD & OSTEOARTHRITIS

These crippling conditions characterized by pain, stiffness, bone deformity and swelling arise when the normally smooth and lubricating function of cartilage is lost. Cartilage deterioration is due to a gradual reduction in proteoglycan levels which would normally maintain cartilage integrity.

Arthritis is a degenerative condition and therefore irreversible and mostly progressive. Modern medicine focuses on management and relief of pain through the use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) which unfortunately fail to meet requirements of many sufferers and have detrimental health effects over the long term.

The natural medicine community has a lot to offer those struggling with the disease or as preventative treatment for those who feel they may be at risk in the future.

Glucosamine: A major building block of proteoglycans which protect cartilage, glucosamine also helps maintain and protect cartilage strength and flexibility. Glucosamine has been proven to be equally effective as NSAID's with over 20 controlled trails focusing on pain and functional impairment. Glucosamine is safe and can be used in combination with anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment.

Chondroitin: Another building block of proteoglycans, chondroitin is a particularly important component of connective tissue, cartliage and tendons. It is chondroitin which gives cartilage it's cushioning and shock absorbing properties and therefore very important in weight bearing joints such as the hips and knees. In clinical trials Chondroitin has been shown to reduce patient reliance on pain medication and increase joint motility whilst having no known side effects

Fish Oils: Inflammatory cells contain high levels of omega 6 derived from Arachadonic Acid. Omega 3 from fish oil acts as a competitor to Arachadonic Acid thereby reducing the production of these inflammatory cells. Studies show that omega 3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and improve arthritic symptoms of joint pain, morning stiffness, grip strength and fatigue.

Herbal Medicine: Many herbs possess potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects without harshness on the stomach. Well researched and effective herbs include Turmeric, Boswellia and Ginger. The benefit of taking the herbal remedies is that they work quickly whilst the glucosamine, chondroitin and omega 3 may take longer to have desired effect. Therefor taking herbs for the first 2 months of treatment will help alleviate symptoms and enhance healing and then can be taken away as the others build up.

Products I would suggest looking at would be FUSION "Glucosamine premium repair" NUTRA LIFE "Concentrated joint powder" ETHICAL NUTRIENTS "Hi-Strength fish oil" and ETHICAL NUTRIENTS "Pain relief"

The healing power of flowers

Back Flower Remedies have been around for 70 years helping people by relieving stress and emotional imbalances. We have all seen or heard of the famous Rescue Remedy Combination, but what exactly are flower essences, how do they work and how do we choose the one which one is right for us?

There are 38 Remedies in total, all discovered by Dr Edward Bach, a London surgeon and immunologist. His original research was in vaccines but he turned to homeopathy after disappointment with the way the medical profession viewed disease and didn't take into account the emotional well being of patients. In 1930 his focus shifted again from homeopathy to the essences of flowers. Over years of trial and error, Dr Bach found each of the remedies he wanted for different mental and emotional states.

Each of the 38 remedies is associated with a basic human emotion; Mimulus for example is the remedy taken when you are anxious or afraid of something specific; people who are afraid of flying may take this before getting on a plane. The exact mechanism of how they work is unknown however it is believed the vibrational energy of the plant is carried across the extraction process and retained in the mother tincture. This energy can be seen in photographs of the essences which produce beautiful kirlian crystal formations.

Bach remedies are safe and effective in pregnancy, for young children and even your pets! My first experience with rescue remedy was for both myself and my horse as we would get uptight and nervous before competitions. Expecting mothers may take Walnut which is used to help people adjust with change; or Star of Bethlehem in cases where the birth itself has been particularly traumatic. Parents may get to love Vine which is great for bossy and stubborn children determined to get their own way!

To take the remedy in an acute moment of distress you simply put 2 drops of each selected essence into a glass of water and sip as often as required until relief is obtained. For more chronic conditions take a small bottle with distilled water and place2-4 drops of each selected remedy into the bottle. From this bottle take 4 drops 4 x daily.

Here at Evelyn Faye we stock a full range of individual remedies, the Rescue remedy, Sleep remedy and we can also make up individualised mixtures from our dispensary.

To see a list of the individual remedies and their action see here

"SUKKIE" - Performance Fuel with Dental Protection!

Most of us know of the negative impact that dehydration has on physical performance during training and competition. However, with the growing number of sports drinks on the market in fancy packaging promising great taste and peak performance, we tend to disregard the impact these table-sugar and sodium-loaded drinks have on our teeth!

So where do we go from here...? Do we drink water to keep our teeth healthy but miss out on the carbohydrates needed to fuel peak performance OR do we continue to drink highly acidic sports drinks that will only wear down the enamel on our teeth and cause severe dental erosion...???

Here's the answer...

SUKKIE - "Your performance shouldn't cost your teeth"

Flavours : Lemon Crush & Berry Rush

Sizes : 420g or 800g

Sukkie contains :

* NO cane sugar

* NO artificial colours

* NO artifical flavours

* NO gluten or other allergens

* Low acid with pH5

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION per 25g serve mixed

with 500mL water

Energy 101 cal
Protein 0g

Fat, Total 0g

-saturated 0g

Carbohydrate 25.1g

-fructose 15.35g

-maltodextrin 9.75g

Dietary fibre 0g

Sodium 260mg

Potassium 95mg

Calcium 175mg

What is Sukkie?

"Sukkie" provides the energy you need to perform at your best while also containing a high concentration of electrolytes to help prevent muscular cramps and calcium in particular to strengthen teeth. Due to it's low pH level, Sukkie will not cause any loss of tooth enamel.

It's carbohydrate energy blend of maltodextrin and fructose will allow for a sustained release of glucose into the blood stream preventing insulin spikes and sugar crashes so you'll feel energised for longer!

How do I use it?

Before competition :

Optimal hydration must begin the day before competition. Aim to drink 3-4litres of water during this time.

On the morning of competition, consume 500mL water on rising, then sip on 500mL Sukkie in the hour leading up to compeition.

During competition :

Everyone will have a different sweat rate, but, as a general rule aim for 1 litre of fluid every hour. Consume 500mL - 750mL Sukkie Rehydration every hour and get the remaining 200-300mL from plain water.

Sip on 200-250mL every 15 minutes during competition.

After compeition :

Consume 1L fluid for every 1kg body weight lost. 500mL-1L of Sukkie Rehydration will quickly replace fluid lost as well as replenish depleted muscle glycogen stores. This will allow for quicker recovery before your next event or training session...

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, see Elise in store or drop by on Tuesday 29th March to taste both flavours & talk to Leon, founder of the product!

Or go to : http://www.sukkie.com.au/

Quinoa- Super food of the Incas!

Quinoa (pronounced kin-wa) is a protein rich seed which has a slightly nutty flavour and a fluffy but slightly crunchy texture when cooked. Although commonly considered a grain it is actually a relative of green leafy vegetables such as spinach.

In the days of the Inca empire, Quinoa was an important part of the diet as it was believed to give warriors strength and stamina.


Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids and is particularly high in Lysine (great for healthy immune systems and tissue healing) Manganese, Magnesium, iron and phosphorus. It is high in anti oxidants and is a good source of fibre.


Quinoa can be found in health food stores (including Evelyn Faye Nutrition) in the form of the raw seed, flakes or flour. There are two varieties- red and white and this super little seed can be prepared in a number of different ways. Below are some ideas...

Quinoa Cookies:

1/2 cup of Agave nectar or honey

1/2 cup of almond butter

1/3 cup of raw sugar

125g melted butter

1 cup of rice or regular flour

3/4 cup of Quinoa flakes

3/4 tsp baking soda

1.4 tsp Salt

1 cup of dark chocolate bits

2tsp ground cinnamon

3tsp cocoa powder

• Pre heat oven to 150C and Oil a baking tray or line with baking powder
• Beat together first 5 ingredients until creamy
• Combine all remaining ingredients and stir into the creamed mixture
• Drop teaspoon sized pieces onto the tray and allow space for spreading
• Bake for 10-12 min then allow to cool on the tray before lifting.

Quinoa Moroccan Pilaf:

1. 1 cup Quinoa seed
2. 1 onion diced
3. 1 tbs olive oil
4. 1 tsp fine sea salt
5. 4 tsp Moroccan spice mix
6. 1/2 cup dried cranberries
7. 1tbs Lemon juice
8. 250g diced pumpkin
9. 2 cups of vegetable stock
10. A handful of chopped fresh coriander

• Mix cranberries with lemon juice, cover and microwave on high for 30 seconds
• Rinse Quinoa and drain well
• Heat olive oil and saute onions until soft, add spice, salt and pumpkin and saute for another 2 minutes until fragrant
• Add quinoa and stock and simmer for 15min stirring occasionally
• Stir through cranberries and garnish with coriander.

Other Ideas:

Add to Soups, hamburgers, tabouli, salads, bread, muesli etc etc etc!

ABODE~ Natural Cleaning Products

On a typical day, the air inside of your house may have air pollution levels hundreds of times higher than the outside air. Many chemicals used in household cleaning products use ingredients which are found regularly in industrial settings and can be toxic to you and your family's health.

Some of the chemicals commonly found in cleaning products include:

• Acetone- a skin and eye irritant which can cause damage to the liver and the unborn child


• Formaldehyde- a known carcinogenic found in aerosols


• Ammonia- exposure to vapours can lead to pneumonia and bronchitis


• Fragrance- this on an ingredient list can indicate the presence of up to 4000 separate ingredients, most of which are synthetic.


• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)- used to create a lather, this ingredient is a known skin irritant and allergen.

... plus many many more!

Consumers also need to be aware of products which claim to be green but under closer inspection they still contain synthetic compounds, artificial fragrances, SLS and betaines.

At Evelyn Faye we are now stocking a new range of cleaning products which are Australian owned and made and provide full ingredient disclosure.

Abode Cleaning products consist of Laundry liquid, laundry powder, baby laundry liquid, wool wash, dishwashing liquid, surface spray, window cleaner, floor cleaner, toilet gel and bathroom cleaner. They have a natural range and a specialty range for super sensitive skin. They are competitively priced and available now!

Spirulina - Nature's Superfood!

Many of you may have heard of Spriulina, or perhaps taken it before as a supplement, or in a drink from your favorite juice bar....but many dont know just how amazing this little algae is!

Did you know, Spirulina has:

300% more CALCIUM than whole milk

2300% more IRON than spinach

3900% more BETA CAROTENE than carrots

375% more PROTEIN than tofu

On top of all that, just 3g (1tsp) of Spirulina has more antioxidants than 5 serves of vegetables, and 31 times more phytonutrient levels than blueberries, 60 times more potent than spinach and 700 times more potent apples

Stuck for ideas on how to use your powdered spirulina? Here's a couple of my favorite recipes if you're bored with just mixing with water...and they taste delicious too!

Spirulina Smoothie

2 Bananas

Half a cup of Pineapple Juice

1 cup Raspberries (or other berries that are in season - fresh or frozen)

1 teaspoon Spirulina

Blend all ingredients together, add ice if needed

Spirulina Guacamole

2 Avocados

2 medium Tomatoes

1 tablespoon Spirulina

Cayenne Pepper

Fresh lime of lemon juice

Salt to taste

Mash avocados, add all other ingredients and blend well

Male Fertility

When we think of fertility and preparation for conception many of us focus on the mothers health and dismiss the male partner as simply a bystander... Not So!

One obvious barrier to conception is erectile dysfunction. Stress and anxiety can play a significant role in sexual performance; and you may be surprised to know that emotional stress can also effect sperm quality.

Male fertility can also be affected by exposure to chemicals, radiation, toxic metals and nutritional deficiencies or excesses. Oxidative stress from these factors can damage sperm motility, function and quantity. Exposure to heat or ionised radiation such as from mobile phones, microwaves or laptops have also been found to negativly impact sperm health. Xeno-estrogens such as BPA found in plastic water bottles (see our previous article on the dangers of BPA's!) have also been found to reduce testicular steroidogenisis which reduces the size and weight of male sex organs.

So... what can we do to ensure your sperm are swimming along well with plenty of their mates around?

Well the process of developing sperm takes about 3 months so you need to start looking after them at least 3 months before trying to concieve.

First things first, clear your cupboard: Avoid exposure to environmental factors such as using plastics, direct heat or radiation and chemicals found in pesticides, cleaning agents and food.

Then, clear your mind: improve your response to psychological stressors, or find ways to help you better cope with these pressures. Maybe take up more exercise, start reading or walking... anything to help you relax during the day.

Next, look at your nutrition. Try to always eat food that is as close as possible to its natural form. Most research on male fertility and nutrition is based around anti-oxidants including Vitamin C and E, Carnitine, Alpha lipoic acid, Zinc, CoQ 10, Selenium and Lycopene. Essential fatty acids such as those found in fish oil are also important for sperm health and motility; whilst herbs such as Tribulus, Panax Ginseng and Damiana have been used traditionally as male fertility and libido tonics.

Herbs of Gold and TNP both make great general male fertility tonics which provide a range of nutrients for preconception care.

For more information or a more personalised approach, contact us or visit us in store.