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There's been a lot of hype surrounding coconut oil in recent years with many labelling it as a 'superfood' due to its many health benefits and applications. Coconut oil is extracted from the dried flesh of the coconut. While coconut oil and coconut milk are made up of mostly saturated fat, about half of the saturated is actually a beneficial type of  fat known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). The MCTs in coconut oil are made up of lauric, caprylic and capric fatty acids. In the body, lauric acid converts to monolaurin, a compound know to boost and support the immune system.

This Mediterranean food staple is full of healthy fatty acids and antioxidants with a myriad of benefits on a number of health conditions. Olive oil is made by crushing olives and putting them through a press to squeeze out the oil. The crushed olives can be pressed numerous times. the first pressing creates what is known as extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the preferred oil to be consumed as it has the most amount of powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds called polyphenols.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can affect up to 20 percent of women and is a major cause of infertility. Women with PCOS among other issues, have an increase in circulating levels of hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen. Symptoms of PCOS include infertility, cystic acne, male pattern hair growth, poor blood sugar regulation, depression, anxiety and disordered eating patterns, to name a few. PCOS can occur in both overweight, normal weight or underweight women.

1. You want someone who will spend more than ten minutes with you

A typical initial naturopathic consult runs for one to one and a half hours and a naturopath will explore your health concerns in a holistic way. We take the time to take into consideration your mental, emotional, as well as the physical factors that have contributed to your health challenge.  We look at your dietary habits, lifestyle, sleep quality, as well as pscychosocial factors such as your relationships and how you feel you fit in the world. 

This is the tenth and final post in a series on some of the physiological (non-psychological) causes of depression and/or anxiety.

The amount and quality of sleep we get has a significant impact on every system of our body. Sleep is not a state of inactivity but a necessary phase for deep regeneration. Prolonged sleep deprivation can have serious consequences including depression. Both chronic and acute sleep deprivation are associated with alterations in brain function and increased inflammation markers.

This is the ninth post in a series on some of the physiological (non-psychological) causes of depression and/or anxiety.

What is methylation?

Methylation is a process that happens in every cell of the body where one molecule passes a methyl group, which is a carbon atom linked to three hydrogens, to another molecule. Methyl groups are added to different proteins, DNA and other molecules. Methylation is involved in repairing DNA, turning genes, enzymes and neurotransmitters on and off, getting rid of toxins, energy production and regulating inflammation to name a few.

This is the eighth post in a series on some of the physiological (non-psychological) causes of depression and/or anxiety

There are certain prescription and over-the-counter medications that have the potential to induce or exacerbate depression and anxiety conditions. The way they do this is because a number of them cause nutrient deficiencies, upset the balance of certain nutrients, affect neurotransmitter function or cause gut flora imbalances.

This is the seventh post in a series on some of the physiological (non-psychological) causes of depression and/or anxiety.

This is the sixth post in a series on some of the physiological (non-psychological) causes of depression and/or anxiety.

This is the fifth post in a series on some of the physiological (non-psychological) causes of depression and/or anxiety.

The fats we choose to eat have a big impact on the function of every cell of our body, including those in the brain, where neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation are synthesised. The brain is made primarily of fatty acids, and the fat we eat is incorporated into brain cells as well as all other cells in our body.