Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and the atypical eating disorders. These disorders have many features in common and quite often patients move between them.
Causes of eating disorders are complex and not completely understood. Genetic predisposition, certain environmental risk factors and psychological reasons have been implicated. It is crucial to detect and manage eating disorders. Adequate treatment definitely requires a multidisciplinary team including a primary care practitioner, nutritionist and mental health professional.
Nutricent can help incorporate a nutritional approach into practice including managing lifestyle issues and eating distress through nutrition.
Menopause is a time of very significant hormonal changes, which can cause uncomfortable and noticeable symptoms and can be a very challenging moment in a woman’s life. Perimenopause is the transitional phase when female hormone levels, oestrogens and progesterone, begin to drop and cause the greatest effects on women. Some women may experience mood swings, tiredness and even depression.
Premature Menopause is defined as Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) before the age of 40 years. However, if it is true that women are more confident today to express what they feel during menopause, women going through sudden hormone imbalances such as Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) need a complete program including diet and blood test management, psychological support and adequate hormonal treatment. Every woman’s symptoms are different and should always be discussed with healthcare professionals to find the most suitable therapy, whether it is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or a combination of natural remedies with added beneficial therapies.
Our nutritionists advise that patience, helpfulness and empathy are specially needed in this difficult moment of life. We work along with your personal practitioner to help identify the cause and institute treatment based on the cause; we help adjust your diet to avoid nutritional deficiencies and optimise your general wellbeing.
Many health benefits have been associated with the vegetarian/vegan diets. Vegetarians consume more vegetables and fruits, less saturated fats and cholesterol (contained in red meat, cheeses, cured meats and processed foods) than people on an average UK diet. Vegetarians also consume higher levels of fibre, antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, carotenoids and phytochemicals. Research showed a positive link between a vegetarian diet and reduced risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, coronary artery disease and some types of cancers.
However, several key nutrients are found primarily in animal products and many vegetarians still ignore how to make smart food combinations to easily obtain all the nutrients they need from plant-based foods. Whether you want to move to a vegetarian or vegan diet or need help to maximize your current vegetarian diet plan to lose weight, gain body mass or increase energy levels, our nutritionists can help you to detect possible nutritional deficiencies via specific blood tests and adjust your diet to ensure optimum absorption and utilization of important vitamins, minerals and macronutrients (e.g. vitamin B12, D3, Iron, Zinc, Protein) often deficient in vegetarian/vegan diets.
Diagnosis & Treatment of Anaemias: Iron, Vitamin B12 and B9 (Folate) deficiencies Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body using a substance called haemoglobin. Anaemia is the general term for having either fewer red blood cells than normal or having an abnormally low amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell. There are several different types of anaemia, and each one has a different cause. Most common anaemias are iron deficiency anaemia and B12 anaemia called pernicious anaemia. Although it's uncommon, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency (with or without anaemia) can lead to complications.
Common symptoms of anaemias are extreme fatigue, muscle weakness and disturbed vision. B12 and Iron deficiency can also lead to psychological problems including mental fogginess, lack of focus and concentration, and problems with memory.
Most cases of Iron, Vitamin B12 and Folate deficiency can be detected through a blood test and easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins.
Both vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency are more common in older people, affecting around 1 in 10 people aged 75 or over, and 1 in 20 people aged 65 to 74. People on certain medications, Vegan diet or with poor eating habits and lifestyle are particularly at risk.
Correct your blood levels of Vitamin D: too little or excessive amounts can cause harm. Immunity levels decrease dramatically if the right quantities and varieties of essential nutrients are not received.
Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of healthy bones, teeth and muscle function. Latest research shows that Vitamin D3 plays a vital role in strengthening immune function (by the activation of T cells) and supporting healthy inflammatory response. It is important to detect through blood test your current serum levels of vitamin D in order to monitor and adjust the right dosage for you.
High doses of vitamin D can sometimes be used to treat a deficiency. However, it is important to consult with your doctor or a dietitian before taking a large dose.
According to the British Association of Dermatologists, exposure to sunlight is definitely the most efficient way to boost vitamin D as more than 90% of vitamin D requirements come from exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. However, during winter months in the UK, there is not enough UVB for vitamin D synthesis. Unless you achieve a sufficient supply of vitamin D in the summer that should maintain healthy levels in winter, some groups of people such as pregnant women, young children, people aged 65 years and over, and people not exposed to enough sun should take a daily supplement.
A diet rich in Antioxidants is a good strategy to help reduce the risk of premature ageing and cardiovascular diseases. The European Heart Journal reported in 2015 that the prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) and cerebrovascular (CBV) diseases rises with age emphasizing that oxidative stress contributes to aging of organs and the whole body by an accumulation of reactive oxygen species promoting oxidative damage.
Antioxidants such as Vitamin A, C and E play a major role in protecting all parts of our cells, organs, and tissues against oxidative damage and oxidative stress. These vital vitamins also contribute to a healthy immune response and to reduce fatigue.
Vitamin C is vital for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It helps to make collagen, an important protein used to make skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. You need vitamin C to help heal wounds and to maintain healthy skin, bones and teeth. It also contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the normal function of the immune system especially during and after intense exercise.
As the body can’t store this water soluble vitamin, we should get enough Vitamin C from our diet. However, unless we can eat every day at least five servings of fresh fruits and high quality vegetables, we may all need to take a supplement of vitamin C to gain all the benefits. It is now possible to detect serum levels of vitamin C. Our nutritionists can help you to optimize your intake by first adjusting your diet and recommending the most effective form of supplementation for your overall health and wellbeing.