nutrition Tag

How can I Manage my Anxiety with GABA?

What is GABA? How is GABA related to my Anxiety? Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter within the body that is widely distributed throughout the central nervous system. GABA acts as the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Relevance of GABA to Anxiety and Mental Health Low GABA levels are associated with a range of conditions affecting the nervous system, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, epilepsy, panic attacks and PTSD.

A question that plagues many of us, do we diet to lose weight and gain health or do we exercise?

This is a question that also troubles many of the government health departments around the world as they try to find a solution to the obesity epidemic. Many studies have focused on this question and have produced great results to support both arguments. The problem lies in that obesity is an accumulation of fat tissue that is excessive however this comes along with a host of metabolic problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke. Not to mention an increase in many inflammatory chemicals which increase the risk of infertility and cancer. So let’s look at the question.

Are you being Persistent with your Toddler?

Many parents find feeding their young children can be quite challenging. Often toddlers around 2 to 3 years show a variable interest in food. It is absolutely natural for a toddler to be curious around food – especially with what you happen to be eating, only to spit it out when given a taste!

Do you find it hard to portion control your meals?

Struggle to control portioning of your food to keep digestive problems at bay or control your weight? Well some people have some food habits or behaviors that make it hard to control food intake and others may have poor signals to say they are full. Here are two scenarios to offer some assistance with:

Is your child Vitamin D deficient?

The Murdoch Research Institute in Melbourne has been looking into why Australia has the highest reported prevalence of food allergy in the world. Results from the studies being carried out point to diet, vitamin D, hygiene and skin care as important factors.

How can I get prebiotics in my diet?

Prebiotics are substances in food that selectively feed good bacteria and not bad microbes in your intestine and bowel. They feed these bacteria that protect us against infection, allergy, inflammation, cancer and they also help make vitamins such as vitamin K. So where do we get them from supplements or food? Well food should be your predominant source for most people but there are specific ones and some people do not tolerate some. So read the following guidelines and get more in your diet!

Re-inventing the Pyramid: Are you confused about how to eat?

An interview with NatMed's associate nutritionist, Adrian Adams

A new food pyramid has been released by Nutrition Australia and has made some rather dramatic changes compared to previous revisions of the pyramid. Currently, Australia is exposed to a handful of large organisations that release national food guidelines working off the back of the governments “Dietary Guidelines for Australians 2013”. For the most part, these organisations (Nutrition Australia being one of them) have followed the guidelines set by the government. So, why has this organisation changed its pyramid? Is there new evidence of certain food groups being recommended in too high amounts? Or is it just representing what clinicians are actually recommending? Why the change? To answer these questions and more I have NatMed's resident associate nutritionist, Adrian Adams.

Food Additives: Leaving out the nasties

Over the past 50 years the use of food additives has sky-rocketed. Not all are harmful and many have been well tested, however there remain a number of additives with questionable potential health consequences, some even have well established health risks.

Greens are great!

We’ve all been told to eat our greens because they are good for us but why? Green vegetables or “greens” are actually a power house of nutrition with different greens having different vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which all serve to keep you vibrant and healthy.

What hidden factors could be harming your metabolism?

Weight loss is not easy and many people struggle with carrying extra fat deposits here in Australia. Much of an Australian's nutritional advice comes from the television, friends/co-workers, or family, which compounds an already difficult task.