DO YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS? IF SO, THE BENEFITS OF A LOW-CARB DIET ARE CLEAR
Autoimmune Disorders
These conditions arise when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own organs or body systems. Close to 80 different disorders have been identified.
The exact cause of many of these remain unknown, but genetics, environmental factors and gender are often seen as risk factors.
Autoimmune conditions can often be hard to diagnose and generally cannot be medically cured, however symptoms can certainly be managed, and nutrition is key when it comes to autoimmune disease symptom management.
The goals of nutritional management of these conditions will always be to control pain and inflammation, slow progression of the disease, and assist in boosting the immune system.
Managing the side effects such as nausea, stomach discomfort, mouth ulcers, and decreased appetite caused by typical drugs used in treatment – is also paramount.
Some drugs used also interfere with absorption of some nutrients, so carful nutritional monitoring is required in this instance. Muscle loss/wastage can also occur in some autoimmune disorders, therefore maintaining a diet higher in energy and protein is required.
A diet rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-containing foods works to lower the inflammatory state and oxidative stress associated with autoimmune diseases. An LCHF approach certainly fits this mould.
List of disorders:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Coeliac Disease
Chronic Diseases
Chronic conditions are long lasting and thus come with social and economic burdens that can impact quality of life. Unfortunately, in our society today they are becoming increasingly common and are a top priority within the health sector as many of them are preventable.
Some facts: More than 11 million people (around 50% of the population) have at least 1 chronic disease. Over 7 in 10 deaths are due to a chronic disease. 1 in 3 problems managed by GPs are associated with chronic diseases. Pretty horrific stats, right? But there is light at the end of the tunnel.
As mentioned before, these diseases can be prevented. Poor diet has been identified as a major risk factor for the chronic diseases, and diet is something that is within our control unlike other risk factors such as genetics.
It has been explained that the combination of our current society’s easy access to highly-processed and sugar-rich foods, as well as lower all round consumption of fresh whole foods is to blame for the recent surge in morbidity associated with chronic disease.
Living an LCHF lifestyle can prevent (and in some cases reverse) chronic disease because it addresses the above mentioned points. It promotes consumption of unprocessed foods and a reduction of sugar-laden processed foods. Most chronic diseases are expressed in adulthood, therefore, adopting healthy lifestyle practices that combine a balanced diet and regular physical activity during childhood and adolescence, is also of great importance. Prevention is key!
List of disorders:
- Obesity
- High Blood Pressure
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
Gut Health
The gut is one of the hardest working organs in our bodies. It allows water and nutrients to enter the body while preventing the entry of toxins and other harmful substances.
We generally know when it is distressed due a number of symptoms (bloating, stomach pains, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea).
A trip to the GP may uncover irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or irritable bowel disease, leaky gut, or food intolerances, but as many symptoms can overlap, diagnosis can sometimes be challenging – therefore managing symptoms becomes really important. This can be done by manipulating diet through wholesome nutrition.
Gut imbalances can also be the cause of fatigue and poor mood, asthma, skin conditions, and the inability to lose weight. Having a healthy gut at the core of your body can really help keep the rest of the body healthy too!
New discoveries are being made almost daily into how to improve the health of our gut. Some nutritional strategies include reducing gut-irritating foods, meeting fibre requirements, and consuming more pre and probiotic-rich foods.
An LCHF approach incorporates these strategies plus more to help achieve a fully functioning and healthy gut.
List of disorders:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Irritable Bowel Disease (Chron’s and Ulcerative Colitis)
- Leaky Gut
- Food Intolerances
Hormonal Conditions
Common Hormone Conditions and Hormonal Diseases can be wide-ranging. Adrenal disorders can affect blood pressure, kidney function and metabolism. Hormone diseases include endocrine system diseases, which directly affect the glands of the endocrine system.
Thyroid-related issues are very common for us to assist you with, and usually present themselves as one of the following:
- Hypothyroidism – a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormone.
- Hyperthyroidism – the overproduction of a hormone by the butterfly-shaped gland in the neck (the thyroid).
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone condition that affects up to 10% of women of childbearing age. Beyond menstrual issues and other symptoms, it is a leading cause of infertility.
Recent literature has eluded to the fact that a lower carbohydrate diet is ideal for reversing PCOS given the strong connection to excess weight, high insulin levels and other metabolic risk factors.
A lower-carb diet should be at the core of effective treatments for PCOS due to its ability to reliably lower insulin levels in the body.
List of disorders:
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Thyroid-related Issues
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be an overwhelming time for many women. Diet plays a pivotal role in the overall health of a woman and development of the baby during gestation. There can be lots to consider pre-conception as well. Consulting with a nutrition professional may take the stress out of what to modify in your diet if you are trying to fall pregnant, are pregnant, have a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, develop nutrient deficiencies, or are breast feeding.
List of conditions:
Pre- and Post-natal Health
Gestational Diabetes
Developmental Disorders
Developmental disorders are commonly characterised by developmental deficits that result in impairments of social, personal, academic, or occupational functioning. Many individuals with developmental disorders can have selective eating and self-limiting diets as a result of the disorder. Difficulty with accepting various textures and trying new foods is commonly seen. The team at Nutrition for Life Healthcare work with clients with developmental disorders using supportive, positive behaviour techniques to help them achieve a nutritionally-balanced diet.
Children with developmental issues can often have food sensitivities to artificial colours, flavours, food chemicals, and preservatives packed into processed foods that contribute to other behavioural issues. Therefore, getting advice on limiting these triggers can have a significant impact on everything from behaviour to communication.
Supplementation with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids can also, at times, be an integral part of treatment for these children.
There have been promising case reports and preliminary clinical trials recently, detailing significant improvements in children put on the ketogenic diet for Autism.
List of disorders:
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Asperger’s Syndrome
Down Syndrome
General Health and Weight Management
It is pretty clear by now that ‘yo-yo diets’ don’t work and that strict dieting and calorie restriction can wreak havoc on your hormones and metabolic function.
At Nutrition for Life Healthcare we teach a lifestyle change often referred to as LCHF that is sustainable, effective and safe long term.
Why choose an LCHF lifestyle?
When people reduce sugars and refined carbohydrates and increase their healthy fat consumption, their appetite tends to go down and they often end up eating much fewer calories without even noticing. Energy levels start to increase and more sustained, and the body’s response is decreased pain, improved weight, and general good health.
Nutrition for Life Healthcare can assist with the sugar-detox process and provide tools to enable success in this area over the long term.
List of disorders:
Weight Loss or Weight Gain (in some cases)
Fatigue and Burn-out
Sugar Addiction
Neurological Conditions
Neurological disorders are diseases of the brain, spine, and the nerves that connect them. Neurological conditions are often difficult to manage with pharmacological therapy alone. Many sufferers seek out natural therapies to help manage symptoms or support conventional treatments.
There is a growing body of experimental evidence for the neuroprotective properties of the ketogenic diet and its efficacy in various neurological disorders. Carbohydrate restriction on a ketogenic diet forces the body into a metabolic state called ketosis where the body burns compounds known as ketones for energy or fuel. Ketones formed in the liver can also supply a superior form of energy to the brain. Studies have begun to investigate how ketogenic diets can affect cell-signalling pathways and cell mechanics… and how these changes may have therapeutic effects in neurological disease.
Nutrition for Life Healthcare specialise if prescribing ketogenic diets safely and have been helping patients with neurological conditions take back control of their health.
#LoveYourHealth!
List of Disorders:
Epilepsy
Parkinson’s Disease
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Motor Neurone Disease
