• Loss of wellbeing (82%)
• Joint aches & stiffness in the hands (60%)
• Hot flushes & insomnia (50%)
• Mood changes including irritability (60%)
• Depression (70%)
• Reduced libido (80%)
• Reduced potency (80%)
• Premature aging including changes in hair growth and skin quality

Andropause involves the progressive decline of free testosterone levels with age coupled with an increase in the production of a protein called sex hormone binding globulin.

There is a loss of muscle volume associated with a decrease in muscle protein synthesis. These muscle proteins are necessary for contraction and relaxation of muscle fibres and the rate at which the muscle fibres can repair after being stressed.

Bone mass decrease correlates with decline in testosterone levels and as the ratio of testosterone to estradiol declines body fat percentage is increased especially around the abdomen, hips and in the breast area. Testosterone deficiency is also associated with a lack of libido, loss of firmness of erections and a reduction in endurance causing the erection to fade more rapidly. Decline in concentration, ability to focus and complete tasks and a decline in memory in association with ‘grumpy old man’ emotional volatility is another sure sign that andropause has arrived.

Why Treat Andropause?

The risks of andropause include: prostate enlargement, and osteoporosis and may be associated with insulin resistance.

How do we test for Andropause?

A simple blood test or saliva test of the following is done:

• Free Testosterone
• DHEA
• Prostatic specific antigen (PSA)
• Estradiol (E2 – and Estrone E1 in saliva)

Free testosterone is simply the testosterone that is not bound to albumin or sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Even though Estradiol is thought to be a women’s hormone, small amounts are present in men and can be influential as testosterone levels diminish. Salivary hormones testing is a useful way to test hormone levels that correlate with active hormones in the body tissue.

When there is adrenal exhaustion and cortisol levels are suboptimal, one will often wake up in an unrefreshed state. One way to manage this is to use low dose DHEA. This could be supplemented in either a troche (lozenge) or cream made up at a compounding pharmacy.

Supplementing with testosterone may cause an increase in the PSA level. This does not mean that prostate cancer has started but that the prostate gland has been stimulated. A PSA level between 4 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml has routinely been viewed as suspect and often patients are sent for transrectal ultrasound with a possible biopsy.

A free PSA percentage is a useful test to decide whether to take investigations further as risk of prostate cancer appears greater when levels are below 24%.

It is also important to check zinc levels as low zinc can cause testosterone to convert to unwanted estrogen.

To book an appointment to see Dr Payton, please phone the clinic on (07) 5522 0505.

How many of us know about Glutathione and its importance?

Glutathione neutralises free radicals, enhances the immune system and detoxifies the liver. But some worry that it has met its match. The trappings of modern life everything from refined foods to over-the-counter pain killers and lack of sleep not to mention the many toxins we are exposed to – rob the body of this vital antioxidant. And, even if you’re doing right, aging takes a bite. Around age 45, our glutathione levels start to slip. Research show that our ability to make glutathione drops by 10% per decade. Ultimately, those levels can dip as much as 50% below optimal as we age.

As the most powerful antioxidant in the body, glutathione works around the clock to fend off nefarious characters. And yet, few people recognize its importance.

Glutathione is likely to get more attention in the near future as experts begin to connect the dots between depleted stores of the antioxidant and the likelihood of chronic disease. If you have not heard of glutathione before you soon will.

To book a SCENAR appointment with Matthew Hart call the clinic on (07) 5522 0505

Even our medical experts are starting to rethink the advice of “Slip Slop and Slap” as telling only half the story.

Recently overwhelming evidence has shown that Vitamin D, our sunshine vitamin, is required to prevent all major human diseases. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of all known cancers, heart disease & stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and thyroid disease, to name a few. In fact we just cover up and don’t source this essential vitamin from another source like oily fish and then ironically the risk of skin cancers including melanoma is increased due to Vitamin D deficiency!

Maintaining healthy thyroid function is essential for good health into older age. Vitamin D and iodine deficiencies may account for a large number of women diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

Some people and health professionals overestimate how much Vitamin D can be converted by brief sun exposure. In Winter, for example, it would take one hour of exposing 25% of the body without sunscreen to adequately replenish Vitamin D stores. So hanging the washing out in the early morning is unlikely to be adequate for optimally healthy Vitamin D levels. This can also contribute to a Winter depressive disorder which doctors label as “seasonal affective disorder” (or in layman’s terms, the Winter Blues).

So if you are going to cover up from the sun, then be sure to get that amazing Vitamin D from a reputable food source, or supplement with Vitamin D3 in liquid or capsule form.

SCENAR Therapy – The most Powerful & Gentle way to Heal

Sceptical? Good, I, like you view most new concepts with a healthy scepticism. I believe caution is imperative in order to take the best of medical advancement and avoid the many money traps out there.

How often do we feel that anything ‘new’ to medical technology is just another reason to be sceptical, there is limitless array of product reaching our market. We know that the body ultimately heals itself! ONLY when it is focused on the problem. This is where SCENAR technology is at the forefront.

SCENAR is a device that is used to stimulate the brain with a constantly varying signal that instructs the nervous system to generate Neuropeptides, the key bio-chemicals needed by your body to heal itself.

So why should you choose SCENAR? -

For me, it was because I was bed ridden with back pain and I had already tried everything else. Like most people I didn’t venture to widely away from main stream medical approaches. My profound experience with this technology lead me in becoming a SCENAR therapist myself. I appreciated it’s fast, non invasive, non toxic natural approach that had no negative side effects and rapidly boosted my own natural healing ability.

In the case of body imbalance or injury, the brain can become habituated to a disease or injury rather than generate the correct neuropeptides and electrical signals needed to bring about a complete recovery. The communication system between the brain and the affected body part can break down and this gradually becomes accepted by the brain as being “Normal”.

This is the central principle of SCENAR therapy – and why it can be used to treat problems anywhere in the body.

The SCENAR device emits small electro-magnetic pulses when moved over the skin, similar to the pulses emitted by the body’s own nervous system.

This can trigger the release of neuropeptides, endorphins and serotonin – all effective pain-relief and “happy” chemicals.

SCENAR’s popularity is on the increase after a decade of personal discoveries and incredible results in Australia yet it has been utilised in Europe for over 25 years.

SCENAR is also particularly useful in sports injuries. It has been used by members of our Olympic team (Torah Bright – Snowboarding gold medalist & Hanna Campbell Peg – Luge), NRL (Nathan Cayless – Captain of the Parramatter Eels) and our surfing greats ( Layne Beachley).

Treatment can also be used alongside naturopathy and acupuncture for a more holistic approach and can be utilised as a preventative as well as a healer.

We are very excited to have this technology and Matthew on board at this clinic. Book now for a consultation with Matthew to create a dynamic change to the future of your health.

Call the clinic to book an appointment (07) 5522 0505

In 1992, the World health organisation reported that Australian soils were the most mineral and vitamin deficient of ALL the world’s continents. It makes sense that the fruit, vegetables and grains cultivated on these soils are also lacking in the nutrients required for optimal human health. Our vets regularly provide supplements for cattle, sheep and horses to prevent and treat nutritional deficiencies, but the medical profession has been kept in the dark about these facts for years.

Incredibly, medical research has only recently confirmed what natural therapists and vets have known for decades: that over 70% of the Australian population are micro-nutrient malnourished.

Regardless of body weight, the average Australian on an average Australian diet is lacking in at least one or more essential nutrients. These deficiencies will often first be seen in the largest organ of the body – our skin. Minerals such as zinc and copper are vital for proper skin healing and collagen repair. Poor skin hydration, brittle nails, angular stomatitis (cracks in the corner of the lips), mouth ulcers, rosacea and seborrhoeic dermatitis are all skin indicators of zinc deficiency.

Low zinc can also contribute to depression, infertility, immune deficiency and cancer. Acne often responds dramatically to zinc replenishment. Zinc status is easily and reliably determined by a simple taste test that can be administered by the natural therapists. I often utilise the Zinc Taste test to measure the adequacy of a client’s diet. This simple test is available for no charge through our clinic.

Are you providing your skin with these 5 Key Ingredients?

Your skin is the largest organ in (on) your body. A healthy wrapper often depicts good internal health and part of achieving a glowing outer wrapper is to attend to some daily, basic fundamentals.

In this article I would like to reveal 5 things that I believe are VITAL & ESSENTIAL for healthy glowing skin.

1. Water

Our bodies are literally water-logged with 50-60% of us being water. Water is the medium in which everything is transported around the body – this includes blood serum, interstitial fluid, the cells and waste. It is so important to provide your body with enough water every day, so that the above body function can occur efficiently and cleanly. A body deprived of water becomes toxic as waste accumulates in the cells, and begins to recycle stagnant water.

Most people should be drinking between 1.5 – 2.5 litres of water every day and add an extra 600mls for every 40 minutes of exercise.

A body deprived of water will cause the cells to dehydrate and shrink. A big secret of many top model’s and their glowing skin is due to their vigilance and commitment to drink LOTS of water.

Purified is best. Room temperature and it is best to sprinkle rather than swamp – so carry a drink bottle with you and top up regularly!

2. Omega 3 fats

Fat intake is very important for people, with a recommended 30% of your daily calorie needs coming from fats. This doesn’t mean any fats – it means a concentrated effort to eat healthy fats – or omega 3 fats. Every cell outer layer is an omega 3 ring. People who are low in omega 3 have thirsty, parched looking skin. Have you noticed sometimes how your hands will sometimes soak in moisturizer?

The omega 3 fatty acids chains are only found in a few foods, so you need to try to include these foods in your diet: deep sea fish (e.g. tuna, salmon, and sardines), nuts and seeds, plant oils. If you don’t eat any of these foods (or derivatives) you may wish to consider taking an omega 3 tablet.

3. Vitamins and Minerals

There are a range of vitamins and minerals that are imperative for healthy skin. Important vitamins include Vitamin C and bioflavonoids (these strengthen capillaries so they are less likely to rupture), Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant, Vitamin A assists in protecting the skin, Vitamin Bs assist make the connective and support tissue of the skin, and Vitamin D is actually made on the surface of the skin (and is becoming one of Australia’s biggest vitamin endemics due to people avoiding the sun).

Zinc is used to make new cells and fight infections, so if you have acne, or wounds, you will need to ensure you have adequate zinc. Nuts and seeds are very good sources of zinc.

4. Exercise and lymphatic drainage

Part of healthy skin is helping the skin rid itself of waste products. Our skin is exposed to external and internal debris and toxic exposure, there for it is important at the end of every day to help it by removing dead cells, and permitting new cells to grow. A good facial cleansing regimen is fundamental in maintaining healthy looking skin. Discuss with Debbie the best product for you.

Exercises such as walking, running, cycling all promote blood flow to all areas of the body which in turn provide greater circulation to your skin. This assists with delivery of nutrients and removal of waste products (dead cells, toxins, chemicals). If you have a problem with puffiness, you need to ensure your lymphatics are draining adequately (they play a major role in taking away dead cells, debris). Mini trampolines, dry skin brushing, liniments can all assist in promoting good lymphatic drainage.

5. Relaxing

It’s important to realize that a stressed body makes more free radicals, is more acidic and the muscle are more contracted. This can give one the appearance of having furrows on the face, red cheeks or blotchy skin. Help your muscles relax with Epsom salt baths, essential oils and gentle massage.

Fatty Liver is a condition usually diagnosed after blood test show abnormally high levels of liver enzymes. According to the Gastroenterological Society of Australia this condition affects over 30% of adult Australians. Fatty liver is the accumulation of fat within the liver cells, a place where it is not meant to be stored.

Healthy liver cells are toxic waste recycling centres. The enzymes which do the work should be contained within these cells. When high levels of four measurable enzymes are detected in venous blood it implies that those liver cells have been damaged and enzymes ‘leaked’ out into the bloodstream. The amount of liver damage is directly proportional to the levels of these enzymes.

Ultrasound of the liver confirms the presence of unusual amounts of fat deposited around each liver cell.

As well as the medical problems which are thought to cause the problem, having a fatty liver increases the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer in a small number of sufferers.

 Although sensible alcohol intake is an important part of treating the disease, recent studies show that the cause of the problem is overwhelmingly related to obesity and insulin resistance.

Many doctors believe that the condition is irreversible, but with treatment our Clinic regularly sees improvement in Liver Function Tests, often back to normal range. This involves a Holistic approach to the problem, involving lifestyle changes and herbal support for the liver.

 There is often a reason for sugar cravings and it lies in the lining of your intestine. It is called “gut dysbiosis” and is caused by one or more factors…either food allergies, intestinal parasites (eek!) or a hormonal imbalance.

 It is best to have yourself treated. The tests do not attract a Medicare rebate but are very specific to diagnosing the underlying causes of sugar cravings, abdominal bloating, unexplained tiredness, mood swings and even skin problems.

Another reason why sugar becomes addictive is that the body gets used to producing large amounts of insulin to remove it from the blood. Eventually the insulin isn’t effective anymore. The body begins to suffer from low energy, apathy, the shakes, and mood swings. These are due to hypoglycaemia episodes.

Did you know that a slice of bread on its own converts immediately to sugar once eaten?! Doughnuts of course are even worse!

In the meantime, try to opt for meals and snacks that have a higher protein ratio to carbs and sugars. Book in for a consultation with Deirdre to review diet, recipes, treatments and test, so as to create a whole “NEW YOU”!

Food is the fuel that we use to energize our bodies and support optimal wellness. A diet perfectly designed for humans to eat provides not only vitamins, minerals, and energy but also modulates our acid/alkaline balance. Human bodies thrive on balance, and good health is present in a very narrow window of acid/alkaline balance. Like a finely tuned chemical reaction the pH (acidity) of our blood must be regulated within a precise range to support good cardiovascular health, discourage infection, allow our immune system to work effectively and allow us to remove toxic waste.

Over the past 100 years humans have been experimenting with this fuel to try and make new/different/marketable/profitable versions of the Real Thing with worrying consequences for our health. Walking through the central aisles of a modern supermarket it may be difficult to spot a natural food, one that has not had any type of human modification. Foods with additives, preservatives, and food with chemical residue from conventional farming all place an added load on our body as we attempt to remove these foreigners safely. The job of toxin removal is given to the liver and kidneys. The chemical processes of detoxification have an acid forming effect on blood and body cells, resulting in activation of our natural acid buffering system.

This paradigm shift in our dietary sources to more acid forming processed foods has impacted fundamentally on our biochemistry, those pathways that allow us to function efficiently, rebuild and repair tissues, remove waste and toxins and manufacture all of our essential hormones. The end result of this acid producing process is most obvious in the areas of skin health, dental health and skeletal strength.

Recent research has started to quantify the negative consequences that acid forming foods have on human health. This domino effect starts at the top of our nutrient extraction factory, the mouth, and may infiltrate all aspects of our physical and mental health.

Highly acid forming carbonated drinks, like soda water, diet drinks and cordials begin an inexorable attack on teeth which over time may lead to serious dental decay. Doctors are now acknowledging the role of poor dental health as a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

The skin, our largest body organ is an early casualty in the battle for alkalinity. Red cell oxygenation is impaired in an acidic environment. Changes to female hormone production due to a combination of high acidity and endocrine disrupting chemicals can result in eczema/dermatitis and Rosacea-like changes in the skin.  Abnormal deposition of fats into areas of cosmetic concern (cellulite) is accelerated by a high toxin burden on our liver, particularly in the presence of an acidic environment. Fat can act as a safe storage facility for toxic waste. This fat can be resistant to classical weight loss regimes as the body attempts to maintain the toxins within a “safe” fat cell toxin storage facility. Evidence from medical research in China suggests that some forms of fatty liver may also be caused by toxin overload to this organ.

Calcium is a source of acid buffering and will be borrowed from the skeleton if required urgently to maintain homeostasis and correct body pH.  Over years of poor dietary choices this can contribute to low bone density and osteoporosis. Carbonated drinks are the most commonly implicated culprits linked to osteoporosis through disruption of the acid/alkaline balance.

Women of all ages can be at risk of urinary tract infections due to acid dominance. Mainstream medicine supports the use of alkalinizing agents to both treat and prevent this common condition.

How to Alkalinize:

Green vegetables are the foundation of good health. Green smoothies incorporating fresh leafy vegetables are an ideal way to start the day – add a slice of avocado to the smoothie for added energy. Lemons and limes are a surprising inclusion in the alkaline family.

Alkaline producing foods should comprise at least 80% of your daily diet, with the remaining 20% being made up of nutrient dense good quality acidic foods. Some good foods such as, nuts, eggs, fruits and dairy can be acid forming but are OK when eaten in moderation in an overall alkaline dominant diet.

Acid forming foods in general are those foods which we intuitively know are wrong choices. Sometimes the high sugar content of choices such as fruit juice, sweetened tea or coffee attracts us to these acid loving saboteurs of wellness. Beer, processed meats biscuits, pizza and all processed grains and dairy products fall into the acid category. Eggs fall into the acidic range, but are amazingly nutritious and allowed in that 20% acidic section.

Maintain adequate water intake (alkaline water is now available as an adjunct to an alkaline diet) through the day.

Move well each day and maintain good muscle mass. Healthy muscles use oxygen to exercise. Poor fitness leads to lactic acid formation even on modest exertion and contributes to acidity.

An invaluable tip to remember when wheeling the trolley around the supermarket is to search out foods with LOW HUMAN INTERVENTION –choose foods as close to natural as possible and apply the rule of common sense.

How many people do you know who have or are suffering from back pain? It is estimated that
at least half of the population of a typical developed country suffers from some form of chronic
pain. Acupuncture pain treatment is a very effective technique in relieving chronic back pain,
better than a typical medication treatment or physical therapy.

Acupuncture is an ancient technique, an alternative but efficient pain relieving method.
The findings of recent studies prove that acupuncture for pain works effectively to the majority
of patients; this leads, undoubtedly, to more speculation on how this technique actually works
and what are the real benefits to our body. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles to the
body, into particular points. These points are stimulated by the needles and they allow the
unblocked flow of energy – which is known as Qi – through the body. According to the Far
Eastern philosophies the blocked Qi causes pain and other illness; therefore, when we release
any Qi that has been blocked, the body is allowed to heal itself.

Acupuncture for any type of chronic pain is about discovering the weakness that allowed the
pain to develop in the first place and fixing the underlying cause of recurrent pain. Acupuncture
is not a bandaid approach to healing, it ensures that where there was weakness there is now
strength and where there was blockage there is now freedom. It literally teaches the body how to
be different.

Although the amount of treatments and sessions of acupuncture for pain depend on the severity
of the problem of each patient and their specific needs, in general if you can commit to four
treatments, it is said that one can sense a change in the overall condition and are able to report
serious improvement relatively fast. The main advantage and achievement of the acupuncture
treatments are the mobilization of the natural pain relieving system of the body.
The acupuncture pain treatments are very safe and there are no side effects. The needles used are disposable and the entire treatment is pain free.