Eczema

This months blog is all about eczema. This is because in the last 18 months I have seen a huge influx of patients with eczema in my clinic. All skin conditions are notoriously difficult to treat naturally, primarily because results can take a few months to become visible. However with the only medical treatment being long term use of steroid based anti-inflammatory cream, tackling eczema from a Naturopathic perspective is a much better long term strategy.
The steroid creams will temporarily mask the eczema, but as soon as you stop using the cream the rash will come back. They also thin the skin when used long term. However, I have seen some amazing improvements in my eczema patients and wanted to share with you a different perspective on treatment of all skin conditions. Below lists some of the things I have found work best when tackling eczema.
 
What is eczema?
Eczema is an irritating skin disease that ranges from chronic, itchy minor rashes to raging acute eczema flare-ups with open, oozing sores that require bandaging. It typically presents on the skin folds in places such as the elbows or behind the knees as well as the face and hands. However, some of my patients have eczema over their entire body. Besides being upset about how the skin looks, they are often itchy and uncomfortable and skin flaking is a problem.
 
Medically, eczema is viewed as an atopic (allergic) skin condition where the skin barrier defense is defective and damage. The skin becomes dry, scaly and irritated as both water and oil are lost through the skin. Infections are common as the exposed skin cracks and bacteria thrice, leading to further information and itch.

 

Eczema considerations and causes
Eczema causes and triggers are often much for complicated and diverse than the medical view of atopy.  There are a huge host of factors that can cause an outbreak with each patient having a different set of imbalances that need to be addresses. The key is investigating the complicating factors for each person, and working on these. As most Naturopaths know, the key to health lies in the gut and you will see this is a big focus of treatment.

Below lists some of the factors I investigate when treating eczema:

1- Food intolerances/food allergies- I find food intolerances to be the most important part of diagnosis or treatment of eczema.  Common food based triggers include dairy products, soy, seafood, nuts and seeds, eggs, and wheat. I test every eczema patient for food intolerances and find this to be the best way to manage eczema in the long term.

2- Inhaled environmental allergens- Inhaled substances such as mould, yeasts, dust, dust mites or pollen can also be an issue. Treatment involves limiting exposure where possible, but our prime work involves balancing the allergic/atopic parts of the immune system to reduce reactions.
 
3- Gut flora- Our digestive tracts contain somewhere between 2-5kgs of bacteria that have very important roles in immune balance (among other uses such as absorption of nutrients). Correcting gut flora levels and replenishing specific strains that reduce atopic tendencies works well for controlling eczema.
 
4- ‘Leaky gut’- The name may not sound great, however leaky gut syndrome refers to poor health of the small intestines. Because 70% of our immune system lies in the gut, a healthy digestive system is paramount for immune balance. On top of this, our gut flora live on the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract therefore a healthy digestive environment is paramount.
 
5- Low stomach acids- Low levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach have been found to be common in eczema suffers and it is believed that this will further impact their gut flora, digestive health and immune system. Simple strategies for stimulating digestion are great for controlling eczema long term.
 
7- Stress- Stress and the associated cortisol and adrenaline levels are a major trigger for eczema. They disrupt the immune system, cause inflammation and switch off digestion.
 
9- Nutritional deficiencies- Nutritional deficiencies are also common in eczema and need to be address. The most common include zinc and Omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies. Omega-3 is essential for keeping the waterproof barrier function of the skin healthy as well as control inflammation. Zinc improves skin healing and balances the immune system.
 
For most, it is not one thing but a combination of factors that need to be addressed to improve skin health and eczema. Our goal for treatment is thorough investigation and assessment to decide what is important for you.
 

Want help with your eczema? Send Hayley an email tome@hayleystockbridge.com.au for more information or to book an appointment

Gender Sway Diet

 

When trying to conceive a boy or a girl, adjusting what you eat (i.e following the 'girl diet' or the 'boy diet') in the 6-8 weeks preceding conception can have a huge impact on whether you conceive your preferred gender. 

Conceiving a boy or girl depends entirely on which type of sperm meets the egg first, the male sperm (carrying the Y chromosome) or the female sperm (carrying the X chromosome). Following the 'boy diet' or the 'girl diet' and taking specific supplements can influence which type of sperm meets the egg first. 

To conceive a girl:
PH: 
The male sperm (carrying the Y chromosome) are less resilient and more susceptible to their environment, so one of the aims of the girl diet is to lower the Ph of the cervical mucous (i.e making it more acidic) and to make the cervical mucous more scant. These changes can alter how well the sperm can survive/travel through the cervical mucous favouring the female sperm. 
Blood sugar levels: 
Lower blood sugar levels (especially in the morning) also seem to favour the more resilient female sperm. Studies show that the X chromosome carrying (female) sperm are better at absorbing glucose than the Y chromosome carrying (male) sperm, and so are better equipped to survive (and thus make it to the egg to fertilise) in a low glucose environment. 
Supplements & Food: 
Increasing the minerals calcium and magnesium and decreasing sodium and potassium levels in the diet has also been shown to sway for a girl.
Below are a few examples of foods that should be included and avoided when trying to conceive for a girl:
Include:
Milk
Yoghurt
Eggs
Cranberries 
Avoid:
Too much meat
Bananas
Potatoes
Salt 

These are just a few examples of the types of foods - the list is much more extensive!

To conceive a boy:
Blood sugar levels:
As mentioned above, the male sperm (carrying the Y chromosome) are more vulnerable to a less favourable environment, so the aim of the 'boy diet' is to provide plenty of resources and nutrients. Maintaining blood glucose levels has been shown to favour the Y chromosome (male) sperm and thus favour the conception of boys.  An Oxford study showed that those women who ate breakfast everyday were significantly more likely to have a boy. 
Hormone Levels:
Higher testosterone levels in the mother have also been shown to favour the conception of boys. The 'boy diet' can increase the testosterone levels in the mother by increasing foods such as red meat. 
Ph:
The 'boy diet' contains foods that make the mother's body and cervical mucous more alkaline. A diet high in foods that make your body and cervical mucous more alkaline has been shown to favour the conception of boys. 
Supplements & Food:
Multivitamins can sway for a boy, as studies have shown that those who consume more nutrients are more likely to have boys. Below are a few examples of foods to include and avoid when trying to conceive for a boy:
Include:
Meat
Potatoes
Bananas
Salt
Avoid: 
Dairy (Milk, yoghurt, cheese) 
Again the list is much more extensive. 

Following the 'girl diet' or the 'boy diet' helps to adjust and maintain a more acidic or alkaline environment as well as different levels of minerals, hormones, and blood sugar levels that are favourable for the conception.
These diets are very specific and should be engaged under the supervision of a practitioner to monitor your nutrient levels, as a healthy pregnancy is the most important outcome. 
Each program is tailored to the individual, taking note of past history, specific dietary requirements and hormone levels. 

Please not that the gender sway program does not guarantee the gender of your choice, however it will sway your odds of conceiving your preferred gender. 

Diet is just one component of the gender sway program, if you would like more information please contact Lisa at the clinic or email lisa@gendersway.com.au

The advantages of charting and observing fertility signs

Charting temperature and fertility signs is an extremely useful tool if you are trying to conceive, gender sway or avoid conception. It provides a woman with an enormous amount of fundamental information about her body and teaches awareness of fertility signs.

Cycle charting enables us to see patterns that occur in your monthly cycle. As you line up your symptoms on each day you will see clear patterns of what is happening in the crucial days preceding ovulation.
Charting and observign fertility signs can identify:
*If you are ovulating
*When you are fertile
*Which days would be best to have intercourse to achieve or avoid pregnancy
*When you will get your period
*The quality of your cervical mucous
*If there are any potential problems in your cycle

It can also be extremely useful when Gender Swaying to determine which days are 'girl' days, and which days are 'boy' days.
Basically, charting enables you to pinpoint when you have ovulated in any given month and the signs that precede this ovulation. After ovulation, temperatures quickly rise above the range of lower temperatures that precede it. This is called the 'thermal shift'.
Below is an example of a standard temperature pattern showing the thermal shift and accompanying mucous changes. 

By recording temperature, mucous changes and other fertility signs, your chart will give you an accurate picture of varying hormone levels and changes throughout your cycle. Once you learnt he basic principles it becomes second nature. 

To learn how to chart and interpret your cycle and observe fertility signs you can make an appointment at the clinic with Lisa, or one of our other very experienced naturopaths.