You can contact me by phone (direct line : 07904 954 842), or by e-mail (francine@dietconsulting.co.uk).
Before your appointment, here are a few words about common issues
I EATING DISORDERS
Suffering from an eating disorder is not just about depriving yourself after a big meal or snacking when you are stressed, bored, sad. Eating disorders are real illnesses that express themselves in different ways, sometimes combining themselves with one another. They can have serious repercussions on physical and mental health. The three main ones are :
• Anorexia
Anorexia is in an increasing obsession with losing weight at all costs. The restrictions are more and more severe and there is a distortion of how the patient perceives his/her body (dysmorphophobia) which makes them feel fat even when they are actually very thin. Often, the affected person does not seem to feel any symptoms when, in reality they are in great danger.
• Bulimia
Bulimia is when a person is repetitively submerged by food compulsions and eats large quantities of food, much beyond their needs and often without pleasure. These crises are followed by a great guilt and an attempt to control their weight by various means, whether through vomiting, laxatives or excessive physical activity. Their weight is often normal.
• Binge eating
Binge eating is similar to bulimia but without weight control techniques. It leads to dangerous weight gain and often depressive episodes
There also are several atypical forms of eating disorders, much less advertised in the media and just as dangerous
What signs should alert you ?
An eating disorder is not easy to recognize. It very often starts with a harmless diet. It is often encouraged by those around you who see it as a step towards health. Gradually, however, an obsessive desire to stay slim sets in and dietary restrictions become more and more severe. The restrictive behavior is at first not easy to spot but some signs can be revealing:
In the case of anorexia, you should be concerned in case of :
• Excessive weight loss
• intense physical activity
• Avoidance of meals with others
• Systematic rejection of certain foods
• Food weight control and calorie counting
• Isolation and withdrawal
• A distortion of the body image: “I’m ugly, fat …”
For bulimia and overeating :
• Significant weight variations
• A craze for salty, sweet or caloric foods
• Marks on the hands indicating repeated vomiting
• A rush to the toilet after meals
• Constant comments about physical appearance
• Anxiety and mood changes
• Self-deprecation
• withdrawal and isolation.
What repercussions on health ?
The health consequences worsen as the disease progresses. In the case of anorexia, the restrictions cause :
• Extreme thinness
• Deficiencies
• Muscle wasting
• absence of the menstrual cycle
• A drop in blood pressure with possible discomfort
• A disturbance of cardiac rhythm
• Coma or even death in the most severe cases.
In the case of bulimia or overeating, depending on the foods and the techniques used to lose weight, the consequences can be various:
• Excessive weight gain and even obesity
• Dental problems from repeated vomiting
• Swelling of the salivary glands
• Digestive disorders
• Heart or kidney problems.
What to do if you suspect a loved one is suffering from eating disorders
• Be patient, recovery from any eating disorder takes time
• Try to understand the suffering behind the disease without judging
• Do not try to reason with your loved one because he or she suffers from a distortion of reality anyway
• Encourage him to see a doctor or dietitian or psychologist promptly.
Getting out of an eating disorder requires specialized care that is not only oriented towards nutrition but also to building self-confidence.
www.dietconsulting.co.uk
phone 07904 954842
II GENERAL HEALTH AND DIGESTIVE PATHOLOGIES
Acné
Acne breaks out when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum and keratin, block the skin pores and make them likely to get infected. It is an inflammatory skin disorder related to hormones and detoxification. It often happens when “toxicity” in the blood increases – often due to simple causes like constipation. It is more common in case of overweight as sweating and need to detoxify through the skin are increased. The toxic waste irritates the skin and this is when you start developing acne symptoms.
A balanced and healthy diet is fundamental for treating and preventing acne break out.
Allergies and Intolerances
The occurrence of food allergies has increased in the last 25 years. The symptoms can include: asthma, urticaria, eczema, digestive pains … When you have one of these symptoms it is essential to do an allergy assessment.
Most of these allergies are caused by a protein which triggers off a chain of immune reactions via IgE anticorps which can have very serious consequences.
Intolerances are caused by a deficiency in digestive enzymes
Pseudo allergies happen when you have eaten a big quantity of food rich in histamine or food that liberate histamine in your body
90% of allergies are caused by 8 categories of food : milk, eggs, ground nut, shell fruits, wheat, fish, shell fish, soja … and also sulfites (E 220 to E 227), food colourings (E 102 ; E 110 ; E 124 ; E 127 ; E 131 )
Allergies may disappear but it is necessary to avoid the cause of the allergy for at least 3 months + medical treatment + give your intestine a rest (by sometimes resorting to enteral nutrition)
Balance
Eating well is a pleasure ; it is also the key to good health. Nutritional needs vary according to sex, age, weight, level of physical activity and in some cases health problems. But in spite of these variables, the basic ground rules of a balanced diet are the same for everybody.
There are two main principles : to vary and diversify meals because no single food contains the necessary balance of nutrition for the optimal functioning of the body.
Daily food portions need to cover but not exceed the quantitative needs of your body, to the right quality levels and at the right time of day. It is also essential to stick to a regular rhythm to ensure that energy levels are evenly spread throughout the day. Doing this and limiting snacking will reduce the risk of putting on excessive weight.
Cellulite
Check out on www.cellulite-treatment.co.uk Cellulite is a very common, harmless skin condition that causes lumpy, dimpled flesh on the thighs, hips, bum and abdomen. It is estimated that more than 85% of all women 21 years and older have cellulite. It is not as common in men.
Risk factors for the development of cellulite include:
• age
• estrogen
• family history
• tissue inflammation
• increased fatty tissue caused by weight gain
• loss of collagen
• poor circulation (a common issue in the legs)
• poor lymphatic drainage
• thinning epidermis (outer layer of skin)
• dehydration
Medically speaking, there is nothing wrong with having cellulite. However, many people wish to reduce its appearance. Scientifically proven non-invasive treatments (Brazilian Contouring, laser, cavitation, radiofrequency and lymphatic drainages) have long lasting results.
You will find lots more information on : www.cellulite-treatment.co.uk
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which helps the glucose to enter the cells where it is used as fuel by the body.
Type 1 diabetes develops if the body is unable to produce insulin. It is usually treated by insulin injections, diet and regular exercise
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still produce some insulin but not enough, or when the insulin produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance)
It is essential to permanently adopt eating habits that will enable you to stabilise your glycemia as well as your weight and to avoid complications. Your diet will therefore be an integral part of your treatment. It has to be varied and balanced and in fact very similar to a “normal / healthy “ diet, with just more rigorous meals times.
The calorific content of your food intake should be the same everyday and should also be evenly spread out throughout the day.
Fertility (men)
If you and your partner are experiencing fertility issues, know that you’re not alone. It is more common than you might think. It affects about one in every six couples, and researchers estimate about one in three cases is due to fertility problems in the male partner.
As women are the ones who get pregnant, there is a lot of attention on their health and well-being. But when a couple are planning a pregnancy, it is important that men are healthy too.
There are many things you can do to boost your chances of conceiving. Keep in mind that fertility goes hand in hand with your general health. Therefore, anything that promotes your overall health is likely to boost your fertility. In fact it can often be improved with a healthy diet and a few lifestyle strategies.
Gluten
“Gluten sensitivity” or ” intolerance” is a condition that causes a person to react after ingesting gluten. «Gluten » comes from latin = glue ; It is a protein compound found in wheat and related grains like barley and rye. It gives elasticity to dough, Symptoms vary widely and can include gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, weight loss, anaemia, joint pain, fatigue and slowing down growth rate. The same symptoms are associated with celiac disease, so it is important to get the correct diagnosis.
Coeliac disease is a well-defined illness where the body’s immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten. This causes damage to the lining of the gut and means that the body cannot properly absorb nutrients from food. Coeliac disease is not a food allergy or intolerance, it is an autoimmune disease.
Wheat allergy is a reaction to proteins found in wheat, triggered by the immune system and usually occurs shortly after eating.
Non coeliac gluten sensitivity is when symptoms similar to coeliac disease are experienced, but there are no associated antibodies and no damage to the lining of the gut.
Currently, the only treatment for gluten intolerance is following a gluten-free diet, which excludes all wheat, barley, rye and cross-contaminated oats. Be aware that some foods have “stealth” gluten. Two terms to watch for are malt (which is made from barley) and hydrolyzed vegetable protein (it often contains wheat). And while oats do not contain gluten, they may also increase symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
You should also compensate for nutrient deficiencies linked to the gluten free diet
Gout – Hyper-uricemia
Gout is an acute inflammatory arthitis. It causes attacks of severe pain, swelling and skin redness. It usually affects joints towards the ends of the limbs, such as toes, ankles, knees and fingers. It is triggered by a build up of uric acid in the blood (hyper-uricemia) that can cause tiny sharp crystals to form in and around joints.
Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down chemical compounds called purines found in animal proteins. Purines occur naturally in the body but are also found in certain food.
Gout must not be left untreated as it may lead to complications such as kidney stones, joint damage… Treatments are available to relieve symptoms and prevent further crises.
Your diet plays an important role in both causing gout and reducing the likelihood of suffering further painful attacks of gout.
A gout-friendly diet is not a cure but it will help control uric acid levels in the body while promoting overall health
High Blood Pressure
A high blood pressure corresponds to an elevated pressure of the blood in the arteries. Choosing the right nutrition and reducing the sources of daily stress will help you control this phenomenom, maximise the effects of medicines, improve your cardiovascular system and prevent risks of complications. Regular medical check-ups are essential.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to “run the body’s metabolism,” people with this condition will have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism : fatigue, weakness, weight gain, dry / thinning hair, dry / rough / pale skin, cold intolerance, muscle cramps, constipation, depression, irritability, abnormal menstrual cycles. Most patients will have a combination of these symptoms depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Left untreated symptoms may increase. Regular visits to your GP and endocrinologist are essential.
No specific food can treat thyroid disorders but a varied and balanced diet twill reduce the impact of the condition on your weight and lifestyle.
IBS
IBS is a bowel disorder characterised by abdominal pain, bloated feelings and variable bowel habits (with alternate episodes of constipation and diarrhoea) but no fever and no sign of inflammation. Sometimes, patients also experience headaches, fatigue and palpitations. The cause of IBS is not known ; it seems to be linked to stress or anxiety or sometimes a course of antibiotics. It is harmless but the symptoms are uncomfortable and do not result in further disease.
A few simple measures will help diminish the symptoms
Pregnancy
Eating healthily during pregnancy is not so different from any other time of your life and it will give your baby a good start in life.
When you are pregnant, your body undergoes many transformations which induce :
• A small increase in nutritional needs ; but as nutrients are better absorbed you should not eat more, you should eat better !
• A weight gain of approximately 11kg which you should not try to avoid because diet restrictions could lead to deficiencies for yourself and your baby.
There is no need to eat for two ; having a varied and balanced diet will ensure you and your baby get all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Three main nutrition principles :
– Variety, to cover all your needs + your baby’s ;
– Easy digestion to reduce the risks of discomfort – avoiding too much fat (fried food, delicatessen, sauces, pastries…), food with a strong taste (certain fish, a number of vegetables, spices …) or those that generate gas and bloating feelings (pulses, beans…) ;
– Hygiene, to prevent contaminations and reduce exposure to chemicals (all foods should be thoroughly washed + well-cooked ; sell-by dates should always be checked ; smoking should be avoided)
Vegetarians
7% of British people are vegetarians. Statistics show that vegetarians have less risk of suffering from hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This is mainly because vegetarian food contains less fat and cholesterol, as well as higher levels of fibre. But, as with any diet, healthy eating requires food balance, variety and moderation in order to maintain physical health.
The exclusion of meat and animal products from the diet deprives the body of a major source of iron, essential amino-acids, calcium, zinc, vitamins B and D. Vegetarians therefore have an increased risk of deficiencies in those essential elements which, long term, could lead to various health complications (anemia, slow growth, osteoporosis …)
Here are some vegetarian sources and healthy alternatives that can provide you with these essential elements
Yeast / Fungus Allergy
Yeast is a fungus often used for baking and brewing beer; another strain of the species is also found on fruit and grains and is used for making sourdough bread.
There are two different kinds of yeast intolerance : one is from food, one is from an infection. The symptoms are similar in both cases. Yeast is present in everyone’s bowels. The immune system + helpful body bacteria keep it from overpopulating. But if levels grow higher than the body can stand, abdominal discomfort and other varied, unpleasant symptoms can arise. With an appropriate diet, they quickly disappear.