Monthly Archives: December 2015

A New Year’s resolution or a life aim?

success isn't about how much money you make. It's about the differenceyou make in people's lives.-2
 
This is my 2016 plan.
 
“I would like to see and support those around me to reach their potential.”
 
That was my answer to one of those ‘conversation starters’ that came in the Christmas bonbon.
 
Little things like that prompt thoughts as I looked around my family at Christmas time and thought of those close to me.
It is one of life’s joys to revel in the satisfaction of seeing those around you succeed in their ventures. It does not have to be financial or work success. In fact, that is probably less important.
 
To see someone passionate about something and giving it a go, no matter what it is, makes me satisfied and proud. Hearing of others ideas and priorities and philanthropy and thought processes is stimulating. Some people very close to me have expanded their ‘talent and skill’ set and it has been wonderful to be privy to that.
 
I have seen so many of those around us develop as individuals in recent times with changing to a LCHF (low carbohydrate and healthy fat) lifestyle. Some have needed our support and some have been led by example. The health benefits that we see mean that it is impossible not to continue imparting this message of healthy eating.

Continue reading →

We knew about the benefits of low carb living in 2012. It’s only stronger now.

Ten benefits of a low - carb diet

10 good reasons for heart health.

1. You will lose weight
2. Blood sugar will improve
3. Blood pressure will improve
4. Triglycerides will improve
5. HDL cholesterol will improve
6. LDL particle size will improve
7. LDL particle number (LDL-P) will improve
8. Insulin resistance will be reduced
9. Insulin levels will drop
10. C-reactive protein will be reduced.

Thanks Helen Wood and Stewart McLean for the 2012 link.

http://www.docsopinion.com/…/ten-benefits-of-a-low-carbohy…/

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=938302002930918&id=393958287365295

 

Did lower carb living make a difference to you this year?

Did you make some life changes?

One of the best things about my LCHF journey is hearing how others have taken on board the concepts of Low Carbohydrate and Healthy Fat living, and then seeing the personal benefits. It has to be one of the highlights of my life so far, both professionally and personally.

Just yesterday I heard that the fastest moving product in the local supermarket is a local full fat milk. That would have been unheard of a couple of years ago, let alone 12 months ago. The consumer is changing the market. Go the grass roots revolution.

Christmas is also that time of gathering and family. Ours is coming together like a lot of others. It’s a time of festivity, sharing and feasting. Enjoy.

It doesn’t have to be a time of breaking away from the principles of LCHF though. A lower carb festive season is possible and easy. We have been fortunate to share colourful platters and foods that are fresh, local and seasonal. That’s one of the great aspects of living in Tasmania.

The important thing is that a breakout here and there is not going to be the end of your health. It may bounce your blood glucoses and insulin around and for the people with diabetes that means being out of control.

The principle is about recognising what you eat and what it’s going to do to you.

Recognise that sugar will tend to make you hungry. Too many carbohydrates will be turned into weight gain that will need to be brought back down again and that exercising it off post Christmas is not as easy as you are led to believe.

Remember that all the processed foods are likely to be carrying polyunsaturated oils and that adds to inflammation. Most of you know this already so it’s just a reminder.

Most importantly Christmas to me is about family. What you eat between Christmas and New Year is less important than what you eat between New Year and Christmas. That’s not an excuse, just a reality as families come together.

PS. Sharing that LCHF message to family by setting the example of healthy living may be the best Christmas present you can give.

I hope you all have some fun times over the next few days.

Merry Christmas and thank you for letting me share the LCHF message this last year.

https://www.facebook.com/393958287365295/photos/a.407869679307489.94446.393958287365295/940063632754755/?type=3

Do hospital stays make you better?

Hospital armband and drip

A lot of patients return all too quickly with a relapse or another issue. A lot don’t regain their independence.

A lot of this may seem obvious but does the hospital stay contribute?

For those of you who have the misfortune of a hospital stay or prolonged emergency visit, then hospitals are pretty hard places to get healthy.

There’s a lot of noise, light and interruptions. Sleep is lousy and the food not conducive to healing (another pet topic).

Most patients are depersonalised to some extent and the initiative of introducing oneself is a simple thing that can help. It’s certainly the cheapest and easiest thing to implement.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35131678

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=938322282928890&id=393958287365295

 

 

Ready to change your training regime and run low carb?

 

images-1

I have several stories now of endurance athletes changing to a low carb fat adapted diet and getting great results with their events, training and recovery.

Fuelling on LCHF is one of the hottest topics in sports nutrition at present.

It makes sense to utilise the fat stores in our bodies that generally can’t be tapped if you are carb loading and carb dependent.

General words of advice.

You can’t go in and out of this regime and expect good results.

It takes 4 to 8 weeks to adapt and then it kicks in.

We have some great resources and individualised sports nutrition advice at the Nutrition for Life centre for those that want to try it.
www.nutritionforlife.healthcare

http://www.triswimcoach.com/the-sugar-free-70-3/

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=940073352753783&id=393958287365295

 

Another role for Metformin?

Bianca Rotar with her baby Lexi who was born prematurely at nearly 28 weeks.

Preeclampsia is a common condition in pregnancy and there is a possible role for Metformin, a commonly used drug in diabetes. It tends to bring down glucose levels at the tissue level.

I wonder if the researchers have looked at lowering carbohydrate and sugar intake to get the same effect?

http://www.theage.com.au/…/australian-scientists-discover-n…

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=938889569538828&id=393958287365295