Acne
The cause is often hormonal. The sebaceous glands produce too much sebum and keratin, which blocks up the pores, making them more prone to infection. A diet high in transfats, sugar and dairy may contribute to this. Vitamin A deficiency produces skin congestion through over-keratinisation of skin cells and lowers the ability to fight infection. |
Follow an optimum diet to balance hormones. Drink plenty of water. Sulphur-rich foods, such as eggs, onions, and garlic are also helpful. Avoid sugar, cigarettes, processed vegetable oils and fried foods. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. |
Allergies
A food allergy is defined as an immune reaction (IgE antibodies) to a particular food. Most people can easily identify their allergies as reactions come soon after ingestion of the offending food. Even if you think you know what it is it is wise to see an allergy specialist and have it confirmed. |
You will have to avoid foods you are allergic to for life. |
Alzheimer's & Dementia
Like with many degenerative diseases, diet and lifestyle play a role. The actual damage to the brain is caused by inflammation linked to too many oxidants (free radicals), high insulin, raised cortisol, high homocysteine and exposure to toxic metals. |
Eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg – aim for a mix of all colours -, seeds and fish such as mackerel, sardines or salmon, rich in omega-3 and vitamin E. Eat real foods and avoid refined foods and sugar, smoking, alcohol and fried foods. |
Anaemia
Anaemia can be caused by iron, B12 or folic acid deficiency. A blood test will determine this. Two simple tests of your iron status: (1) Look in the area under your lower eyelids – it should be a rich pink/red colour, not pale. (2) Press down the end of your fingernail, turning the bed white – it should come back to pink quickly when you release it, not stay pale. |
Red meat is well known as a good source of iron. Other sources are eggs, spinach and other greens, beans, lentils, prunes, dried apricots, molasses and pumpkin seeds. Add in some vitamin C (e.g. lemon dressing) to enhance iron absorption. Only foods of animal origin contain vitamin B12. |
Angina & Athersclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a narrowing of the arteries due to fatty deposits. When the condition becomes more pronounced, blood pressure begins to increase. If a pronounced block occurs in the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen, then angina, experienced as chest pain on exertion, may result. |
Follow an optimum diet, strictly avoiding sugar, foods high in transfats and processed vegetable oils, and excess alcohol. Limit your salt intake, but do not avoid completely. |
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis describes a condition in which the cartilage in the joints wears away, including pain and stiffness in weight-bearing joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the whole body, not just certain joints. |
RA is an auto-immune disease. Avoid gluten and dairy for 4 weeks to see if symptoms improve. In some people OA symptoms subside if they avoid some or all nightshade vegetables. Avoid adrenal stimulants such as tea, coffee, sugar and refined carbohydrates. Check for allergies and food intolerance and have a hair mineral analysis done to check your mineral levels. |
Asthma
Ensure an adequate intake of essential fats, avoid sugar and see a nutritional therapist if you think you have allergies. |
This inflammatory condition affects the lungs and respiration and is characterised by difficulty in breathing and frequent coughing. Often attacks are brought on by underlying allergies, stressful events or changes in the weather. |
Bronchitis
In this condition, the tissues of the lungs get inflamed. |
Do not smoke. You may also find relief from avoiding mucus forming foods such as dairy. Increase healthy fats from nuts, seeds, fish and coconut, and avoid transfats and processed vegetable oils. Avoid sugar. |
Burns, Cuts & Bruises
All these conditions require the skin to heal, which depends on a good supply of vitamins A, C and E, zinc and bioflavonoids. These reduce bruising, speed up healing and minimise scar tissue. Creams rich in vitamin A, C or E need to be in a form that can penetrate the skin, e.g. retinyl, ascorbyl or locopheryl palmitate. |
Drink plenty of water. Ensure you have adequate healthy fats from nuts, seeds, fish and coconut. |
Cancer
There are many different kinds of cancer, but the first step is to eliminate carcinogenic agents such as smoking, a diet high in transfats and processed vegetable oils and/or processed meat, sugar, HRT, excessive exposure to sunlight or pesticides, alcohol etc. The next step is to build up your immune system. |
Increase the amount of high antioxidant foods you eat. Cut out processed and non-organic red meat and alcohol and avoid transfats and sugar. Drink plenty of water. |
Candida
The overgrowth of Candida albicans, a yeast like fungus, can occur anywhere in the body, most commonly in the digestive tract or the vagina, and causes thrush or yeast infection. |
Avoid all sugars, especially fast releasing sugars (incl. fruit for the first month). Stay away from yeast containing foods, e.g. mushrooms, alcohol, vinegar). Reduce wheat intake. |
Colitis
In this condition part of the large intestine is inflamed. It is often stress induced. However, it can also be due to poor diet, poor elimination, an allergy or intolerance, or sub-optimum nutrition. Essential fats are powerful anti-inflammatory agents, while sugar and insulin are highly pro-inflammatory. Antioxidants also help reduce inflammation. |
Avoid insoluble fibre found in bran and whole grains as it is harsh on the bowel. Choose lightly steamed veg, fish, with low-sugar fruit as snacks. Avoid all digestive irritants, which can include foods you are allergic or intolerant to, wheat, gluten, pulses, alcohol, coffee and spices. Avoid fast food and junk food as food additives, especially emulsifiers are thought to damage the lining of the gut. |
Constipation
We should empty our bowels at least once a day, but preferably 2-3 times a day. A healthy stool should break up easily and be no strain to pass. Exercise is crucial as it strengthens the abdominal muscles. For a mild, non-irritant laxative, put 1 tbsp linseeds in a glass of water overnight, drink upon waking and follow with another glass of water. |
Eat high fibre foods. Drink at least 2 pints of water a day. Reduce your consumption of meat and milk products. Include oats and prunes in your diet as well as linseeds. |
Crohn's disease
This is an inflammatory bowel disorder that responds very well to nutritional therapy. Most people with Crohn’s have food allergies/intolerances and raised homocysteine levels – a nutritional therapist can help there. |
Avoid insoluble fibre found in bran and whole grains as it is harsh on the bowel. Avoid coffee, alcohol and sugar. Avoid fast foods and junk foods as food additives, e.g. emulsifiers are thought to damage the lining of the gut. Eat whole foods high in soluble fibre, such as lentils, aubergines, apples, porridge oats, fruit and veg. Drink plenty of water. |
Cystitis
This is an inflammation and infection of the bladder, which causes frequent and painful urination. Vitamins C and A protect from such infections and vitamin C can be particularly helpful at clearing it up. The recommendations apply only to clear a bout of cystitis and should not be followed on a regular basis. |
Avoid all sugar – including cranberry juice, which is usually full of it. Drink 2 litres of water per day. |
Depression
There are many nutritionally related causes of depression: disturbed blood sugar balance, lack of omega fats, low serotonin, excessive histamine production, overuse of stimulants, adrenal exhaustion caused by stress, allergies and intolerances |
Avoid all sugar – including cranberry juice, which is usually full of it. Drink 2 litres of water per day. |
Dermatitis
This literally means ‘skin inflammation’ and is similar to eczema. Contact allergies tend to be the main cause. Food allergies and intolerances also tend to be a factor as is a lack of essential fatty acids from seeds, which the body turns into anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. |
Eat a diet low in transfats and processed vegetable oils, but increase healthy fats from nuts, seeds, fish, olives and coconut. Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. Test for food allergies and intolerances. |
Diabetes
This is a disease of dysregulated blood sugar. It is usually treated with drugs, but dietary changes are the cornerstone of successful diabetes management. With the right diet, type 2 diabetes is now known to be reversible in most cases. |
Keep your blood sugar even by eating a diet low in sugar and refined carbohydrates. Increase healthy fats and eat moderate protein. Avoid stimulants such as tea, coffee, cigarettes and alcohol. |
Diverticulitis
This is a condition of the small and large intestine, in which pockets in the intestinal wall become distended, infected and inflamed. Increased soluble fibre and regular exercise are the key treatments. |
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During a flare up, eat plenty of soft cooked vegetables and fruit (stewed apple is great) and porridge oats. Avoid seeds as they can catch in the diverticula. Once feeling better, continue eating a high fibre diet with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and pulses. |
Ear Infection
These are frequently the result of underlying allergy or intolerances. An immune reaction induces inflammation that blocks the thin tube that runs from the sinuses to the ears. Once this swells and blocks, the inner ear chamber becomes a favourite site for infection. |
Eat and drink plenty of fruit, vegetables and their juices. Drink plenty of water, herb teas and three cups of cat’s claw tea per day. Stay away from mucus forming foods (dairy, eggs, meat). |
Eczema
The skin becomes scaly and itchy, cracked and sore. Vitamins A and C strengthen the skin, while vitamin E and zinc promote healing. Essential fats can help reduce inflammation. |
A ‘pegan’ diet (‘pesco-vegan’ – low in animal products except oily fish), low in transfats and processed vegetable oils and high in nuts and seeds. Test for food allergy and intolerance. |
Food Intolerances
A food intolerance can cause a variety of symptoms, more pronounced in some people than others. If you feel that you might be intolerant to something, but don’t know what, it is best to see a nutritional therapist. |
Avoid the foods you are intolerant to for 3 months while addressing gut health. The most likely suspects are yeast, dairy, eggs, wheat and gluten. |
Gallstones
These are accumulations of calcium and cholesterol in the duct running from the liver to the gall bladder, which stores bile used for digesting fats. If this duct is blocked, fats cannot be properly absorbed and jaundice occurs. It is not excessive calcium or cholesterol that are to blame, but rather a low-fat diet. |
Avoid low-calorie, low-fat diets and increase healthy fats: olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, oily fish. |
Gout
This is caused by improper metabolism of proteins, resulting in uric acid crystals being deposited in finger, toe and other joints, causing inflammation and pain. Exercise helps. |
Eat a diet low in purines, a chemical found in meat, seafood, small fish, organ meat, lentils and spinach. Avoid alcohol, sugar (esp. fructose) and refined carbohydrates. Have mainly plant-based proteins. Include tart cherries and cherry juice. Drink at least 2 pints of water every day. |
Hair Problems
There are many different kinds of hair problems, from dry or oily hair to premature hair loss, but most are linked to what you eat. Oily hair can occur with vitamin B6 deficiency. Dry hair is often a sign of essential fat deficiency. Poor hair growth is a sign of zinc deficiency. Hair loss is connected with a lack of iron, vitamin B1, vitamin C or lysine. Massage can also help. Unfortunately, there is no answer yet for grey hair! |
Eat an optimum diet. Ensure you get enough essential fats and water. Avoid sugar and stimulants like tea, coffee and chocolate. |
Hangovers
The symptoms of excess alcohol are half dehydration, half intoxication. Once the liver’s ability to detoxify alcohol is exceeded, the body produces a toxic substance and it is this that brings about a headache. |
Before and after drinking alcohol, drink lots of water. Eat pure foods that will not add to the body’s toxic burden. Fruit and veg juices, high in antioxidants and electrolytes, are beneficial. |
Hayfever
Even though allergic reactions to pollen are the cause of hayfever, other factors play a part, e.g. pollutants and some food intolerances. |
Avoid or limit wheat, dairy products and alcohol. Eat plenty of antioxidant rich fruit and veg, plus seeds rich in selenium and zinc. |
Headaches & Migraines
There are many causes of headaches and migraines from blood sugar lows, dehydration and food intolerance to stress and tension. |
Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. Make sure you drink regularly. Avoid stimulants such as tea, coffee, chocolate and alcohol. |
Herpes
The herpes virus, which includes cold sores, feeds off an amino acid called arginine. If you supplement lysine, an amino acid that looks like arginine, you fool the virus and effectively starve it. |
Avoid arginine rich foods during an attack. These include turkey, chicken, pork, beans, lentils, dairy. |
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be caused by atherosclerosis (see above), arterial tension, or thicker blood. Arterial tension is controlled by the balance of calcium, magnesium and potassium in relation to sodium (salt). Stress also plays a part. Correcting this balance can lower blood pressure in 30 days. |
Eat an optimum diet. Limit – but don’t avoid – salt. Increase your intake of fruit and veg, which are rich in potassium. Take a tbsp of ground seeds per day as a source of extra calcium and magnesium. Eat oily fish twice a week. |
Indigestion
This can be caused by many different factors, including too much or too little stomach acid. More often than not, heartburn, indigestion and a feeling of fullness after a meal are the result of too little stomach acid. A bacterial or fungal infection can also cause similar symptoms. A nutritional therapist can help you identify the cause. |
Balance your diet for acid (e.g. protein) and alkaline (e.g. veg) forming foods. Avoid stomach irritants such as alcohol, coffee, chilli, chocolate, tomatoes and any foods that you suspect you are intolerant to. |
Infection
This can be caused by many different factors, including too much or too little stomach acid. More often than not, heartburn, indigestion and a feeling of fullness after a meal are the result of too little stomach acid. A bacterial or fungal infection can also cause similar symptoms. A nutritional therapist can help you identify the cause |
Balance your diet for acid (e.g. protein) and alkaline (e.g. veg) forming foods. Avoid stomach irritants such as alcohol, coffee, chilli, chocolate, tomatoes and any foods that you suspect you are intolerant to. |
Infertility
This is more common in women than men. Vitamin E and B6, selenium and zinc are important for both sexes and vitamin C is important for men. Also required are essential fatty acids. Hormonal imbalances are also common and stress plays a big role. |
Follow an optimum diet. Ensure your diet includes essential fats from oily fish and seeds. |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This term is used to describe intermittent diarrhoea or constipation, urgency to defecate, abdominal pain or indigestion. There are many possible causes: food intolerance, gut inflammation, stress, infection, and toxic overload. A nutritional therapist will help you identify the cause. |
Eat a simple, pure diet of whole foods. Scientists have identified certain groups of carbohydrates that seem to aggravate IBS. Work with a nutritional therapist to see if you are affected. Avoid fast food and junk foods, sugar and refined carbohydrates. |
Kidney Stones
These are abnormal accumulations of mineral salts found in the kidney, bladder or anywhere along the urinary tract and can range in size from a grain of salt to a fingertip. 80% are calcium oxalate stones. |
Drink plenty of water, 200-400ml every hour during an attack. Follow a plant-based diet. Limit foods high in oxalates: spinach, tomatoes, aubergines, peanuts, blueberries, strawberries, cocoa and parsley. Rotate your greens. Limit calcium-rich foods, e.g. dairy. Avoid processed meat. |
Muscle Aches & Cramps
Cramps are most commonly due to calcium/magnesium imbalances and are corrected by supplementing those minerals. Despite popular belief, the condition is very rarely due to lack of salt. Muscle aches can occur for the same reason, or when muscle cells are not able to make energy efficiently from glucose. Magnesium helps there, too, as do B vitamins. Muscle aches are the most common side effect of statin medication. Speak to your doctor if you are on statins. |
Increase your intake of fruit and veg (potassium). Green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds are sources of calcium and magnesium. Drink plenty of water. |
Osteoporosis
In this condition the density of the bones decreases, increasing the risk of fracture and compression of the spinal vertebrae. From a nutritional perspective, there are 3 min contributors: (1) Excessive protein consumption, leading to a leaching of calcium from the bones to neutralise excess blood acidity, (2) relative dominance of oestrogen over progesterone, the latter being a major trigger for bone growth. (3) Deficiency of bone building nutrients, which include calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, silica, phosphorus and boron. The use of natural progesterone cream (medical prescription) has proved 4x more effective than synthetic oestrogen HRT in restoring bone density. |
Eat an optimum diet of whole foods, including fruit, veg, beans, lentils, organic meat and eggs. Include healthy fats from olives, nuts, seeds, oily fish and coconut. Have a heaped tablespoon of ground seeds every day as a source of magnesium, calcium and zinc. Limit plastic in your life and do not drink from plastic cups or bottles, do not microwave foods in plastic containers and avoid wrapping food – especially fatty food – in plastic |
PMS
This describes the occurrence of a cluster of symptoms, including bloating, tiredness, irritability, depression, breast tenderness and headaches, occurring most commonly in the week leading up to menstruation. There are 3 main causes: (1) oestrogen dominance and relative progesterone deficiency, (2) glucose intolerance marked by a craving for sweet foods and stimulants, (3) deficiency in essential fatty acids, vitamin B6, zinc and magnesium, which together create prostaglandins, which help to balance hormone levels. |
Avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates, and stimulants. Choose low-sugar fruit, e.g. berries, cherries, apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots. Ensure a good intake of essential fatty acids. Avoid plastic as much as possible (see Osteoporosis, above). |
PMS
The most common problem is prostatitis, in which the prostate gland enlarges, interfering with the flow of urine. This is thought |
Eat foods high in antioxidants. Avoid dairy due to its hormone content and stick to organic, grass-fed meat. Eat organic as much as possible. Include healthy fats. Drink green tea. |
Psoriasis
This is completely different from eczema and dermatitis. Psoriasis is classed as an auto-immune condition and there are many possibly underlying causes, including impaired gut health and an imbalanced gut flora, food intolerances, insulin resistance and an overworked liver. A nutritional therapist may help you find the cause. |
Eat an optimum diet of whole foods, avoiding possible intolerant foods. Eat as much organic food as you can afford. Avoid gluten and dairy as well as sugar and refined carbohydrates. Feed your skin with healthy fats from olives, nuts, seeds, oily fish and coconut. |
Sinusitis
An inflammation of the sinus and nasal passages, it often leads to sinus infections. Contributory factors are nasal irritants such as exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, dust, pollen and allergies. |
Eat lots of fruit and veg plus seeds. Get protein from fish, nuts, seeds, tofu etc. Avoid mucus forming foods such as eggs, meat and dairy. Inhale tea tree or Olbas oil. Drink cat’s claw tea to boost the immune system. |
Sleeping Problems
Either waking in the middle of the night or not getting to sleep in the first place. Both can be the effect of poor nutrition or stress. |
Avoid all stimulants. Do not eat sugar or refined carbohydrates. Avoid tea or coffee after midday. Do not eat late. Eat seeds, nuts, root and green leafy veg that are high in calcium and magnesium (tranquilising). |
Thyroid Problems
The thyroid gland, situated at the base of the throat, controls our rate of metabolism. In hyperthyroidism (overactive) loss of weight and nervousness are common. In hypothyroid (underactive) the symptoms are lack of energy, weight gain and goitre. Living off stress and stimulants and oestrogen dominance are common causes. |
Avoid all stimulants and eat an optimum diet. If you have hypothyroid, limit the amount of raw cruciferous vegetables you eat (e.g. coleslaw). If you have Hashimoto’s, avoid gluten. |
Ulcers
These can occur in the stomach and duodenum. Get tested for infection with Helicobacter pylori. Speak to your GP about painkillers, if you frequently use them. Stress is unlikely to cause ulcers, but may make them worse. Smoking is thought to increase the risk and may make treatment less effective |
Follow an optimum diet of real foods. Include cruciferous vegetables (cabbage family), berries, green leafy vegetables, carrots, peppers, fermented foods, garlic, turmeric, raw honey and green tea. Avoid alcohol, coffee, chocolate, spicy foods, caffeine, and acidic foods such as citrus and tomatoes. |
Varicose Veins
Veins carry blood returning to the heart. A varicose vein is one that has become enlarged and swollen, usually in the legs, where circulation is most difficult. It is unlikely nutrition can do much for veins that are already varicose, but antioxidants and fibre can help prevent further occurrences |
Regular exercise, especially swimming, will improve circulation. Putting your feet up and gentle leg massages are helpful. Application of vitamin E creams is also beneficial. |