Make an online booking here:
Book Now
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic help people shed fat, however they also strip away vital muscle mass, raising concerns about long-term heart health, physical function, and mortality.
In a recent study, the researchers emphasised that the weight loss associated with GLP-1 drugs has many clear health benefits for people with obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart failure, including improving blood-sugar control, short-term cardiorenal (heart and kidneys) benefits, and improvements in survival outcomes. But doctors may need to consider recommending exercise programs or develop other approaches, such as nutrition supplements or complementary medications, to help GLP-1 patients get the full cardiorespiratory (heart and lungs) benefits of substantial weight loss over the long-run, the researchers say.
"Some patients literally told me that they felt that they were losing muscle or muscle was slipping away from them while they were on these medications," said researcher Zhenqi Liu, MD, Professor of Medicine and James M. Moss Professor of Diabetes at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and former chief of UVA Health's Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism. "This is a serious concern. Muscle, especially axial (spine) muscle, is essential for posture, physical function and overall well-being. Losing lean body mass can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality and diminished quality of life. We need to make sure that patients prescribed these medications aren't already at risk for malnutrition or low muscle mass."
The researchers remain concerned that GLP-1 drugs could take a toll on patients' metabolic health, healthspan/frailty and overall longevity.
For more information about the study, click here.
Certain probiotics could help women lose weight and keep it off, according to a recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Various studies have previously shown that that the intestinal flora of obese individuals differs from those of thin people. This may be because a diet high in fat and low in fiber promotes certain bacteria at the expense of others.
A Professor Tremblay and his team performed a study to determine if taking probiotics could help reset the balance of the intestinal microbiome in favor of bacteria that promote a healthy weight.
125 overweight men and women completed a 12-week weight-loss diet, followed by a 12-week period aimed at maintaining their body weight.
Throughout the entire study, half the participants swallowed 2 pills daily containing probiotics from the Lactobacillus rhamnosus family, while the other half received a placebo.
After the 12-week diet period, researchers observed an average weight loss of 4.4 kg in women in the probiotic group and 2.6 kg in the placebo group.
However, no differences in weight loss were observed among males in the two groups.
"We don't know why the probiotics didn't have any effect on men. It may be a question of dosage, or the study period may have been too short," says Professor Tremblay, who is also the Canada Research Chair in Environment and Energy Balance.
After the 12-week maintenance period, the weight of the women in the placebo group had remained stable but the probiotic group had continued to lose weight, for a total of 5.2 kg per person.
In short, women consuming probiotics lost twice as much weight over the 24-week period of the study.
Researchers also noted a drop in the appetite-regulating hormone leptin in this group, as well as a lower overall concentration of the intestinal bacteria related to obesity.
According to Angelo Tremblay, probiotics may act by altering the permeability of the intestinal wall. By keeping certain pro-inflammatory molecules from entering the bloodstream, they might help prevent the chain reaction that leads to glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Please note- every person's body is different, so there is no single approach that works well for everyone. Weight loss is complex issue, and it is likely that there will be a number of imbalances in each person's body that will be factors behind them putting on weight.
As with any condition, in order to get results it is crucial to first investigate the cause of the problem. We are currently offering a limited number of free Comprehensive Assessments. (Terms and conditions: the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)
The Assessment helps to identify:
If you would like to book in for an Assessment, please give us a call on 3376 6911, or you can book online using the link at the top of the page.
Be well, and have a great life!
When a person’s life revolves around their health problems, it can sometimes become demoralising and affect their day-to-day confidence. Their problems can chew up their time, interfere with their work, impact on their social life, and even affect their relationships with family and friends.
‘Jim’ (not his real name) is in his mid-40’s, and came to us as he suffered from high blood pressure and just could not lose weight. There was a history of Fatty Liver in his family.
Jim has always been health conscious and had a reasonably good diet and exercise routine. Despite this, his blood pressure was high for the past two years. It became worse after he caught COVID, and he was fatigued for weeks after that. His emotional and mental wellbeing were affected, his constipation and reflux worsened, and he developed dandruff and dry skin.
He saw one of our naturopaths, who reviewed his blood tests. These showed chronic inflammation markers, which can lead to long term health issues. Inflammation that continues for longer than it should can result in damage to tissues, organs, and body systems. Chronic inflammation has been known to cause Diabetes, and in Jim’s case he was found to have borderline Type 2 Diabetes as a result. Excess weight that is very difficult to shift can also be caused by long-term inflammation.
Jim’s blood tests indicated that inflammation was also occurring in his liver and large intestine as well as his pancreas. This inflammation (together with the weight gain caused by the inflammation) had resulted in his high blood pressure.
The blood test also showed that his low-fat weight loss diet was contributing to his chronic inflammation. Many types of dietary fats or oils can cause inflammation, however the right essential fats will act to reduce it instead. In Jim’s case, a high carbohydrate to protein intake was making the inflammation worse.
Jim was keen to lower his blood pressure, and was happy to make some changes to his diet. Our naturopath placed him on a treatment plan that addressed his digestive and liver health, and lowered his inflammation.
After only 2 months, Jim’s blood pressure was back in normal range and his digestion was working very well. He also lost over 10 kg in weight, particularly around the abdomen. His lean body mass was also good, which is an important benchmark for healthy ageing.
Please note- high blood pressure is a dangerous condition, and so lowering your medication should only be done once your pressure has come down far enough, and with the approval of your doctor.
As with any condition, in order to get results it is crucial to first investigate the cause of the problem. We are currently offering a limited number of free Comprehensive Assessments. (Terms and conditions: the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)
The Assessment helps to identify:
If you would like to book in for an Assessment, please give us a call on 3376 6911, or you can book online using the link at the top of the page.
Be well, and have a great life!
The human body is very complex, so we treat a very broad range of conditions. The following is a list of some of the conditions clients came to us for in a single week.
If you have a health issue and you would like to find out if we can help you, you can book in for a free Comprehensive Assessment. The Assessment will look at what is going on in your body, what is causing any problems, and the best way to resolve them. (Terms and conditions- the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.) Have a great life!
'Metabolic Balance' is a hormone and metabolism re-balancing program, designed to reset your body’s metabolic functions. In a nutshell, it helps you use energy and burn fat at your body’s optimum level.
The program was developed by German nutritional medicine expert Dr Wolf Funfack and food scientist Silvia Bürkle, and is the result of 25 years of scientific research. After a detailed blood test, your results are sent to Germany, where your inflammatory markers, blood glucose levels, TSH thyroid results, and many other factors are analysed. A diet is then designed for you to regulate your hormone levels, particularly your insulin, and optimise your health.
So each Metabolic Balance diet plan is completely unique. An individual nutrition plan is provided which specifies healthy and varied meals, and an android app is available for assistance.
The program consists of 4 phases over 4 months to reset your body. It is based on sound scientific research, and the program is suitable for the vast majority of people but not for everyone. It is most beneficial for those who have excess fat that refuses to budge even after doing all the right things, or those with stubborn hormone problems. However, it is also great for those who just want to optimise their health and wellbeing.
We believe that the Program may well be
health and weight loss system available.
The Four Phases of the Program
• Phase 1. This phase begins the process of detoxification and elimination and is key in preparing your metabolism for the next phase. (Phase 1 lasts for 2 days.)
• Phase 2. For the first two weeks, you must eat only the foods specified in your personal nutrition plan. After that, the occasional treat meal will be reintroduced into your diet, which you can enjoy whatever you like. During this phase, your metabolism will slowly start to adjust and become more efficient.
• Phase 3. This is the relaxed-adjustment phase. During this phase, you can begin to bring in additional foods to your daily meal plan. With your body’s new and heightened sense of awareness, you should instinctively know which foods are right for you. You can also now enjoy an occasional treat meal or even a glass of wine. More important, you will learn how to take a healthy approach to special occasions. Your Metabolic Balance therapist will continue to support you and monitor your progress during this phase.
• Phase 4. The maintenance phase is the final phase. On the basis of your knowledge of and experience with the previous three phases, you may now experiment for yourself and get to know which foods are right for you. You can begin to slowly ease yourself away from the plan, while still following the nutrition advice you have learnt during the program. (Even at this stage, you will be able to remain in contact with your Metabolic Balance therapist.)
One of our naturopaths Margaret McNamara has completed the training to become an accredited Metabolic Balance therapist, so we are now offering this remarkable program.
If you would like to find out how well the program would work for you, please book in with Peter for a complimentary Health Assessment. (Terms and conditions- the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations at all.) Or, if you have already had a consultation with Margaret within the last 6 months, you can send us an email and she can advise if you are a suitable candidate.
Does fatigue drag you down day after day? Do you have excess weight, brain fog, poor sleep, hair loss, or often feel anxious? Your thyroid could be to blame. This gland controls the rate of activity of all the cells of your body, so if it is underactive, everything slows down. Your metabolism, energy production, digestion, moods, libido, or temperature control can be affected. Getting your thyroid right is critical to having good energy levels, feeling your best, and avoiding some important health problems. The most common symptoms of low thyroid are:
When left untreated, low thyroid function can also raise your cholesterol levels, and so increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
Your pituitary is a gland attached to your brain, and it releases Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) to control your thyroid. The less active your thyroid is, the more TSH your pituitary will produce. Your thyroid gland then produces the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 (thyroxine), which control the rest of your body.
The names T3 and T4 refer to the number of iodine atoms in each hormone, as iodine is the key nutrient needed to create them. Iodine is particularly important for women who are pregnant or trying to fall pregnant, as the mother’s thyroid hormones are needed for proper brain and nerve development of their growing babies. During pregnancy, the mother’s T4 production doubles, increasing her daily iodine requirement. If she is low in iodine and cannot produce the right level of thyroid hormones, the baby could be born with mental impairment and learning delay. Even a moderate iodine deficiency in a pregnant woman can lower her infant’s IQ. In 2007 the WHO estimated that over 30% of the world’s population (2 billion people) have insufficient iodine. Because iodine deficiency is so common, it is one of the leading causes of mental retardation. (As low iodine intake affected a massive 43% of our population, the Australian government has made it mandatory for iodine to be added to bread. However, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or considering becoming pregnant frequently still need iodine supplements.)
Other important nutrients for proper thyroid function include:
The most common cause of low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) is Hashimoto’s disease. This is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks the thyroid gland. The damage to the thyroid prevents it from producing enough hormones. Other causes include:
Often a client will come to us who has had a blood test, and their doctor says that their results are within normal range, so their thyroid is fine. However, when we check their blood test, their TSH levels may be toward the higher end of the range. (The higher the TSH, the weaker your thyroid is working.) Most pathology laboratories use a TSH range of 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L to determine if there is a thyroid problem. However, the National Academy of Clinical Biochemists advised that 95% of people without any indication of thyroid disease have a TSH concentration below 2.5 mIU/L, and so it has been advocated that the upper level of the TSH range be lowered to 2.5 mIU/L. And many highly experienced natural therapists consider any level above 2.0 mIU/L to indicate a sluggish thyroid.
In addition, blood tests will normally only check the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels. Testing for T3, T4, and thyroid antibody levels gives a more accurate picture of how the thyroid is functioning. However, doctors are reluctant to do these tests unless a thyroid disorder has been established.
If your TSH levels are above the ‘normal’ range, you would normally be put on thyroid medication for the rest of your life. We believe it is better to improve your thyroid before that happens. So if you think your thyroid may not be working well, or you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, please book in for a free Comprehensive Assessment. We can evaluate how well your thyroid is working, what has probably caused the problem, and the quickest and easiest way to get it working well again.
'Endocrine disruptors' are man-made chemicals that can mimic our natural hormones in the body - particularly oestrogen. There has been some exposure in the media recently on the potential damage these nasties have on the health of a living organism: have a look at the following ABC news item explaining how some herbicides are having a profound effect on our amphibious species - www.abc.net.au - they are changing sex! This phenomenon has also been noted in the Great Lakes U.S.A. where a vast amount of pesticide residue finds its way into these closed waterways, resulting in some fish species turning female.
So what relevance has this to you, you might ask. Plenty! There are an inordinate amount of chemicals utilised by many different manufacturers that have taken on the philosophy of 'innocent until proven guilty'. Unfortunately, the number of these chemicals flooding the market on a yearly basis is far too vast for the FDA to check in depth. This results in the unfortunate public bearing the brunt of the health effects.
Endocrine disruptors displace oestrogen on receptor sites on the body - they bind to these receptors and stimulate growth. These receptor sites are found in particularly large numbers in breast, vaginal and uterine tissues. But are also scattered elsewhere throughout the body. So it begs the question … if these disruptors stimulate growth and cancer is unmitigated growth of tissue, what are they doing in our daily lives?
Many chemicals have been identified as endocrine disruptors, here are a few. This list is by no means complete:
Endometriosis, infertility, (as providers of natural fertility treatment in Brisbane we frequently experience this symptom), breast, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancers, low sperm count, liver toxicity, immune concerns, obesity.
Stay away from the chemicals as much as possible!
Further Reading
Getting Results
The Importance of Setting Goals
The start o
f a new year is traditionally a time to make resolutions for the coming year. However, most of the time they don't last too long.
The importance of proper goal-setting was highlighted in a study conducted on students in the 1979 Harvard MBA program. The students were asked, "Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?" Only 3 percent of the graduates had written goals and plans; 13 percent had goals, but they were not in writing; and 84 percent had no specific goals at all.
Ten years later, the members of the class were interviewed again, and the findings were quite astonishing. The 13 percent of the class who had goals were earning, on average, twice as much as the 84 percent who had no goals at all. And the three percent who had clear, written goals were earning, on average, ten times as much as the other 97 percent put together!
The 7 Keys to Successful Goal Setting
In spite of such proof of success, most of us don't have clear goals that we work toward. What do you want your life to be like by the end of the year, and in 5 years time? To achieve what you want out of your life, we recommend being SMART about setting your goals.
We all have areas of our life that we want to be better, and following these principles can help you achieve a more fulfilled, happier and healthier life.
If you feel that your motivation is lacking, our psychologist, Lisa Coulson, is very skilled in helping people in this area.
If health is important for you, some possible goals could be
These are areas we can help you with. To find out how what is getting in the way of you feeling healthy, vital and energised, and how you can achieve your health goals, please book in for a free Comprehensive Health Assessment (normally $120). Your obligation-free Assessment will help to uncover
Please ring the Clinic on 3376 6911, or email us at reception@cntc.com.au to book in soon. You only have one life, and if you put things off, you are unlikely to achieve what you want.
“Change your life today. Don't gamble on
the future, act now, without delay.”
Simone de Beauvoir
Most people think that to become healthy they must lose weight. Actually the opposite is true- in order to lose weight, you need to become more healthy. Every day, many thousands of people around Australia starve themselves or work up a sweat to try and lose weight. Most of them will only lose a few kilos, and when they stop all their hard work, the weight comes back on almost straight way. Getting slim seems to be a constant battle that they can never win.
As we know, having too much weight not only affects your appearance, it also has a damaging effect on your health. Overweight people have a shorter life expectancy, with an increased risk of having heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, etc.
Any therapist will tell you, that if you don't address the causes, you won't get good results, or get short-term improvement only. If you are eating well, exercising, and still not losing weight, something is causing your body to store fat instead of burn it up.
As your body becomes healthier, the weight will start to come off and stay off. How you do this depends on your body shape- whether you are an Apple or a Pear. If you have an apple shaped body your metabolism is dramatically different from someone with a pear shaped body - you assimilate your nutrients differently, you store the extra calories as weight in different ways, your hormones work differently, and you even respond differently to supplements and medications. So the closer your diet and exercise routine matches your body shape, the better and quicker results you will get. Your body shape also determines what type of health problems you are likely to develop in the future.
The apple shaped person stores most of their body weight in their belly (abdominal region). Women with this shape will generally have narrow hips, greater breast tissue, as well as a relatively large waist. Apple shapes have more weight surrounding their internal organs (visceral weight), which is associated with insulin resistance (so higher diabetes risk), higher blood pressure, and lower levels of 'good' (HDL) cholesterol. This puts them at a greater risk of heart disease- the higher the waist to hip ratio, the higher the risk.
The pear shaped person carries most of their body weight around their hips, thighs, and buttocks. They will generally have a smaller upper body (smaller breasts) and a heavier lower body. A pear-shaped person is more susceptible to cellulite, varicose veins and eating disorders. (However they have much less risk of heart problems or diabetes.)
The main difference between the types is the way their nervous systems work. The nervous system is the main control system of the body, and it has two parts- the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic. Apple shapes have a stronger sympathetic system, and pear shapes a stronger parasympathetic system.
The sympathetic part is the body's emergency response system ('fight or flight'). The heart beats faster, breathing is faster and shallower, muscles tighten, blood sugar levels are raised, and non-emergency parts of the body are turned right down, such as the digestive system. The thyroid and adrenal glands are stimulated to provide extra energy for fighting or running away. An over-active sympathetic system can cause exhaustion, nervousness, stress, or feelings of panic. Because of their dominant sympathetic system, the bodies of apple shapes are in a constant state of over-stimulation. The body prepares for emergencies by storing up extra reserves, so more weight is deposited in the abdomen. To become slimmer, apple shapes must have their systems turned down. They
The parasympathetic part is the body's nourishing, healing and regeneration system. The body is in 'rest and digest' mode, so its nerves stimulate digestion, as well as the immune system and elimination organs. When this system dominates, the body tends to conserve energy rather than use the bodies of pear shapes are in a state of under-activity, so they usually feel tired or fatigued most of the time. Because their bodies run too slow, they don't burn up calories as quickly as usual, so the extra calories are stored as fat. To lose this fat, pear shapes must have their systems stimulated They:
Unless they identify which body shape they are, some people might be trying their hardest, but doing the exact opposite of what they need to be doing to lose weight!
We hope you have enjoyed reading this introduction to successful weight loss. If you are interested in finding out how you can lose weight by having the causes of the problem addressed as well as the symptoms, please call us on 3376 6911 and book in for a free Comprehensive Assessment. (The Assessment is valued at $120, but is available at no charge for the moment. There is also no obligation attached to your Assessment whatsoever.) We can then determine the reasons for your weight gain, and the best ways for you to lose it long-term.
Losing weight is one of the best things that you can do for your health and well-being. Not only will you look better, but you will likely have more energy, get tired less easily, and feel younger. As well as enjoying a longer and healthier life!
Valued at $120, your Assessment will help to uncover:
All this will be fully explained to you, and you can ask as many questions as you like. That way we can be sure to give you all of the right information, understanding and advice you need. Terms and conditions: This is a free, no obligation offer.