Author: Shani Crofton

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome has become a growing global health concern, with obesity, hypertension, high triglycerides, and cholesterol being key factors associated with this condition. These risk factors play an important role on the development of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, dementia and type 2 diabetes.  As 

Festive first aid

Festive first aid

As the winter season approaches and the festive spirit fills the air, it is important to prioritize our health and well-being. The cold weather, coupled with the festivities, can often take a toll on our immune system and overall wellness. In this blog, we will 

Polyphenols: Eating the Rainbow

Polyphenols: Eating the Rainbow

Polyphenols, a group of antioxidants found in various plant-based foods, have been gaining attention for their potential impact on mental health and overall well-being. These powerful compounds, including flavonoids, can be found in a wide range of fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs.

One area where polyphenols have shown promise is in supporting the health of the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and has been linked to various aspects of mental health. Polyphenols have been found to promote a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which may contribute to improved mental well-being.

Furthermore, polyphenols possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help combat chronic inflammation within the body. Chronic inflammation has been associated with the development of numerous diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. By consuming foods rich in polyphenols regularly, individuals may be able to reduce their risk of developing these chronic diseases.

Incorporating a variety of polyphenol-rich foods into our diets can provide us with an array of potential benefits for both our physical and mental health. A rule of thumb is try to  eat 40 different – fruit/veg/herb or spices from the list below – a week. From improving gut health to reducing inflammation and protecting against chronic diseases, these antioxidants are an essential component for promoting overall well-being.

Green fruits and vegetables

These include spinach, green apples, green tea, celery, olives, and asparagus.  These provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, protecting the gut against chronic diseases. They also promote the growth of good gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.

Blue fruits

Blue fruits mostly contain flavonoids, procyanidins, flavonols, phenolic acids, and stilbenes. These provide antioxidant effects and prevent inflammation. Examples include grapes, raisins, plums, blackberries, blueberries, prunes, and blackcurrants.

Orange foods

Orange foods such as carrots, oranges, apricots, nectarines, peaches, and turmeric

Red fruits and vegetables

Foods like red apples, cherries, tomatoes, strawberries, and red onions.

Yellow fruits and vegetables

Lemons, bananas, yellow onions, and yellow peppers.

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds

Cacao

Flax Seeds

Pecans

Walnuts

Fats

Olives

Olive Oil

Herbs, Spices, and Teas

Basil

Cinnamon

Cloves

Cumin

Ginger

Green Tea

Oregano

Parsley

Peppermint

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

Social media for motivation

Social media for motivation

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives. It has revolutionized the way we connect, share, and consume information. Behind the scenes, social media platforms employ complex algorithms to curate and deliver content that aligns with our interests and 

A multi- targeted approach to the treatment of Depression

A multi- targeted approach to the treatment of Depression

Depression is more common than many of us might think, and can affect people’s ability to do everyday things, feel pleasure or take interest in activities.    Gina Webley, a fellow herbalist who is based in Kent, outlines how herbs can play a key role 

It` s JUST the menopause!

It` s JUST the menopause!

Before I get absolutely lambasted by a large proportion of   hormonal women experiencing the fun of menopause, please let me explain…..

My story of menopause:

I was  41  when my periods  stopped – up until then all had been as regular as clockwork).

I was getting night sweats and was incredibly thirsty all the time. I was aware that at my age things can start to go awry with my hormones. However, I knew that as well as peri menopausal symptoms, what I was experiencing could indicate more sinister diseases. Ironic I know as I pride myself on looking at the whole patient, not just the symptoms.

Blood tests:

I visited my GP for some blood tests.  He ordered a blood test for FBC, Thyroid, Diabetes and cholesterol as well as some hormone markers. When I got the letter to say he wanted to see me for the results, I was understandably worried. Much to my relief everything was within normal range except the hormonal markers.  When I got home, I spent hours mulling over exactly how I felt about this. When I really delved deep and examined not only what I thought, but how my body was feeling I came across some surprising positives:

Obviously this means that I can no longer have children – not a problem as that was off the table anyway.  Although this has made me realise that I was fortunate to have started my family relatively early.  If I had waited until my late 30s – would I have struggled to fall pregnant as unbeknown to me, my fertility was declining earlier than I would have expected? A topic perhaps for another blog?

My skin looks better than it has in years! Having lamented the fact that I had not grown out of my teenage spots but obviously the change in hormone levels which accompanies this stage of menopause suits me and my skin. This is not always the case as with any hormonal change – the skin can suffer.

I have more energy than since before having children. This surprised me as I would have thought that with the disrupted sleep and hot flushes, this would have got worse however I have more energy and motivation than before – my house even seems easier to clean.

I must add that I am now more careful with what I eat. I have dramatically reduced my intake of processed foods: in particular processed carbohydrates are no longer on the menu! An important step in dealing with any hormonal changes is getting the balanced nutrition necessary to facilitate metabolism and synthesis of hormones.

Of course there are times where I struggle with the hot flushes, disrupted sleep and snoring. Well to be fair, the snoring affects my dh more than me.  But with a little forethought the hot flushes are manageable – note to self – “Don`t take the tube in rush hour without making sure you can strip off layers to practically your underwear at a moments notice! ”

My kids have a good laugh at my expense when I forget words and I am unable to give them quite simple instructions! But now that I know I am not suffering from early onset dementia – I often have a good chuckle as well.

I do think that with all this heating and sweating, it should be easier to lose weight. But Mother Nature has had the last laugh again. On the contrary it is even more important to start that activity  which you ve been putting off . This is the perfect reason to take up some form of weight bearing exercise to protect against osteoporosis.

 

If you would like help with your hormonal journey please feel free to contact me.

 

Maintaining a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight

Losing weight is for life not just for (post) Christmas….. If I had a pound for every time I was asked – “Can you give me something to help me lose weight?” I would be loaded. I think most people who have tried to lose 

Reviews

Reviews

Dont just take my word for it – These are some of the reviews which I have received. “It`s absolutely amazing and I almost can`t believe it but my hot flushes are almost completely gone! You are a magician”   “Boundary Herbs was recommended to 

High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure

Chances are you will not know if your blood pressure is too high – unless you have it checked regularly.

However if it was as simple as eating better and exercising more there wouldn’t be an estimated 5 million people in the UK with high blood pressure.

There is a catch to this: your blood pressure is designed to go up and down depending on what your circumstances are – so if you are annoyed that you have had to wait in the waiting room past your appointment time – when you have a hundred and one things to do,  it `s highly likely that your blood pressure will be elevated when tested. This may result in you being prescribed strong drugs unnecessarily.

In order to get a more accurate diagnosis, the GP should do a test which involves  24 hour (or sometimes even longer) monitoring. This will show if you have a consistently high reading over a period of time.

Why is it important – if untreated it increases your risk of:

  • heart attack
  • heart failure
  • kidney disease
  • stroke
  • dementia

What is high blood pressure?

The job of the heart is to pump blood around the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells. Obviously this incurs some pressure within the arteries and veins. However if your arteries are narrowed these vessels are placed under too much pressure. This in turn leads to an increase in work within the vascular system and leaves you open to the above conditions.

Who is at risk of developing high blood pressure – if you:

  • are aged over 65
  • have a relative with high blood pressure
  • are of African or Caribbean descent
  • don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables
  • don’t do enough exercise
  • drink too much alcohol
  • are constantly stressed
  • smoke

So what can you do about it?

Obviously you can’t turn back time or change who your parents are but there are certain steps that you can take: Improving your diet and starting moderate exercise will definitely help as this will inevitably lead to weight loss. If ever there was a reason to stop smoking this is probably it. There is evidence that smoking cessation is the most important lifestyle choice in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Further advice which seems sensible – cut back on alcohol, reduce stress and decrease caffeine.

Sleep is incredibly important as if you are getting adequate rest – your stress levels will decrease and you are more likely to stick to a healthy eating and exercise plan.

As you can see the treatment of high blood pressure is by definition a holistic one ( Your GP will agree on this). As a herbalist I will work closely with you to build a realistic lifestyle plan designed specifically for you to make these goals achievable. Added to this I will prescribe herbal treatment suited to your condition and carry out regular assessments to carefully monitor your progress.

Contact me for a free discovery call to find out more about my Herbal Coaching Packages.

 

IBS

IBS

Diarrhoea Constipation Pain Cramps Piles Lethargy Nausea Wind Flatulence  Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS can be described as a functional disease of the gut. This means that there is nothing wrong with the structure of the gut, however how it works is questionable. Why is