Keep Cups!

Yay, they've finally arrived at Evelyn Faye Nutrition, come in and grab your very own Keep Cup! As im sure you are all well aware of, our love of a great takeaway coffee is costing the environment dearly, and resusing is the one of the most significant environmental impacts we can make. Keep Cups are made out of BPA free, polypropylene....a safe alternative to the toxic plastics that are in takeaway coffee cups and plastic water bottles. Keep Cups have a lifespan of around 4 years, and can be microwaved, frozen, reheated etc....and then at the end of the day recycled! Great hey!

Digestive Enzymes Vs Systemic Enzymes

We have alot of customers asking us what the differences are between digestive enzymes and systemic enzymes....and I remember being quite confused when I first starting ready about products such as 'vitalzym' and serrapeptase supplements.... I stumbled across this article on the return 2 health website (a wonderful NZ company) and thought it would be a good one to share (view the original article at http://www.return2health.net/articles/enzyme-articles:

You barely know what an enzyme is; let alone what kind of enzyme supplement you need.
Well, it’s good to know that there are just two broad categories of enzyme supplements:
Digestive enzymes, which aid the digestive process directly and
Systemic enzymes, which provide support throughout the body.
These two groups of enzymes are distinct from one another and have their own specific jobs.

Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzyme supplements are designed to be taken with each meal to complement the body’s own digestive enzymes produced primarily by the pancreas. The pancreas secretes enzymes to breakdown the main food groups entering the body, including: amylases for carbohydrate digestion, lipases for digesting fats and proteases for protein digestion. But this doesn’t always cut the mustard.
Supplemental digestive enzymes go the extra mile: they contain the above enzymes as well as others that the body does not specifically generate, which aid digestion of specific types of fibres or carbohydrates. One example of this is cellulose: an enzyme which helps us breakdown cellulose – a plant fibre otherwise indigestible to humans.

Why do we need a supplement if we make most of the enzymes ourselves?
Good question. In a state of optimal health and nutrition, yes, we do make adequate amounts of digestive enzymes ourselves and obtain others from the fresh raw foods we eat. But throw in stress, chronic disease, poor nutrition and food allergies – to mention just a few of life’s frivolities – and suddenly the body is not so well equipped.

Also the number of enzymes produced by the body is limited over our lifetime. As we age, the level of enzymes we produce declines. Since we rely heavily on enzymes to unlock nutrients from the food we eat, the importance of good digestion with adequate enzymes becomes paramount to maintain good health.

Systemic Enzymes
Systemic enzymes on the other hand are designed to be taken on an empty stomach; allowing them to be absorbed directly into the circulation, to support the body where needed. These systemic enzymes can help:
Maintain healthy immune functions
Maintain healthy blood flow & circulation
Maintain healthy joints
Support normal, healthy inflammatory processes
Assist with muscle soreness after exercise

There are many types of Systemic Enzymes used such as:
Serrapeptase – derived from the silk worm
Nattokinase – derived from the Japanese fermented soybean dish “Natto”
Lumbrokinase – a group of six enzymes derived from the earth worm
Bromelain – from pineapple
Papain – from papaya

As well as other enzymes like proteases and lipases. Whether enzymes work locally to assist digestion or systemically to work throughout the body is determined by how the enzymes are taken (i.e. with food or without food). Digestive enzymes can assist systemically if taken away from food, while systemic enzymes can assist digestion if taken with food. For best results, enzymes should be used as they have been designed.
Supplementary enzymes can work wonders for many different types of conditions, but it’s best to consult with your healthcare professional to ensure you’ve found the product best suited to your needs.

Winter Wellness Special

Book your appointment today...(03)9686 0086

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)

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)

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.

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)