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Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress
Antioxidants are your cells protectors. They protect your body's cells just as oil or paint protects your car from rust! Cells need protecting because oxygen, even though essential for life, creates damaging byproducts.

These byproducts are called free radicals and occur when oxygen molecules become highly reactive. This causes cellular damage and may lead to heart disease, cancer, liver disease, cataracts, fatigue, aging and a weakening of the immune system.

Common things that cause free radical damage include: aging, stress, over-exercise, medication, inflammation, pollution, pesticides, herbicides and even eating!

To prevent the damaging effects of free radicals, antioxidants come to the rescue. Some antioxidants control free radicals while others transform them into less damaging compounds or repair the damaged cells. It is very important to have high levels of antioxidants in the diet.

Winter is a time when many people put on a few extra kilograms or put aside their weight loss and exercise programs. Make this Winter different and get ready for the warm weather by eating healthily and kick starting your weight loss now!

I am sure that many of you have tried all sorts of diet and exercise programs and have become discouraged if they have not seemed to work. Naturopaths consider the theory that 'weight loss occurs when calories in are less than calories out', is oversimplifying the situation for many people. Of course monitoring caloric and food intake and exercise is important but there may be other factors which contribute to an individual's ability to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable manner.

These factors include:

• Previous or current health issues (PCOS, diabetes, inflammation etc)
• Food intolerances and sensitivities
  
• Stress levels
• Exercise and dietary history
• Hormonal balance
• Thyroid function
• Insulin resistance level
• Gastrointestinal health
• Quality and amount of sleep
• Toxic exposure (alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, medication, processed foods etc)
  

Belinda is able to help balance and correct these underlying issues, making weight loss a more realistic and achievable goal. Blood, saliva or urine testing may be used to accurately assess the current condition of the body. A complete dietary assessment will be made and lifestyle modifications and suggestions will be given.

Most patients are given specific nutritional supplements and herbal medicines to promote fat loss and increase the body's metabolic activity levels. Belinda uses bioimpedence scales to measure your weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass, water/fluid weight, bone mass and visceral fat levels. Regular weigh in appointments will help you stay motivated and all any diet or supplement changes where necessary.

NutriCheck is a specialised program which provides a clinical assessment of an individual's nutrient requirements and functional disorders.

Nutricheck involves answering 106 questions (at home) that have been purposefully designed to identify specific nutrient requirements. A graph is produced that clearly illustrates nutrients that are likely to be deficient and which may cause symptoms or disease processes. The report includes:
 
1.    Specific vitamins and minerals your body may need
2.    How well you digest the food you eat
3.    How well your body handles dietary sugar & starch intake
4.    Whether your body is reacting to foods or chemicals
5.    Whether your bowel flora is healthy or unhealthy
6.    The balance of major neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain
7.     A range of dietary printouts for different people

Nutricheck was designed by a leading Australian Nutrition Medicine Specialist and has been used clinically over the past ten years. I am very excited to be using the program to assess and monitor the health of my patients and help them reach their optimal health potential.

Belinda has designed a range of organic, high-quality loose leaf herbal tea blends which can be used for both therapeutic effect and enjoyment! You may have already tasted some of them in the clinic. All blends are suitable for both adults and children.

Restore - Licorice, Peppermint, Lemongrass and Ginger

This invigorating blend is perfect to assist in increasing energy, restoring the adrenal glands and aiding digestion.

This peaceful blend is designed to relax the body and calm the mind. Soothe is wonderful for helping to reduce stress, insomnia and anxiety.

A gentle and uplifting blend filled with herbs that will help to lift the spirits, stimulate circulation and result in a radiant glow.

Immune - Echinacea, Thyme, Sage and Chamomile
This therapeutic blend is designed to support the immune system and is wonderful for helping to reduce cold and flu symptoms including sore throats, head colds, coughs and congestion. Maunka honey can be added to enhance the antibacterial and antiviral properties of the blend.

The teas make a wonderful gift and are available for tasting and purchase at the Red Tent Health Centre or by emailing belinda@belindakirkpatrick.com.au
All blends are available in a 40g resealable bag for $11.

I make this regularly for myself, my children and their friends. It is a great warm winter dish, gluten free, easy to make, freezes well and is popular with all ages. Includes seven vegetables, three good protein sources and is also high in fibre. Serves 4.



Ingredients:
1 onion, peeled and chopped (ANTIBIOTIC, ANTIBACTERIAL)
1 knob of organic butter (VITAMIN D)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 organic chicken thighs, trim all visible fat (HIGH PROTEIN)
1 carrot, chopped (GOOD SOURCE OF BETA CAROTENE)
1 zucchini, chopped (VITAMIN C)
A handful of shittake mushrooms, sliced (IMMUNE BOOSTING)
1 tin of organic diced tomatoes (ANTIOXIDANT)
1 tin of organic cannelini beans, rinsed (GOOD SOURCE OF PROTEIN)
A big handful of chopped parsley (HIGH IN VITAMIN C)
A big handful of baby spinach (HIGH IN FOLATE)
Salt (Himalayan Pink Rock is best) and Pepper (YUMMY)
Quinoa (HIGH PROTEIN, IRON AND CALCIUM)

Method:

Make a Weight Loss appointment in July 2010 and get your second July appointment absolutely free! That is a saving of $85!

Make an appointment today by calling 0400 511 622 (Woollahra) or 9555 8806 (Balmain).

Please feel free to extend this offer to a friend or loved one by clicking the 'forward email' button at the bottom of this newsletter.

Share the gift of health!

Print this voucher and bring it with you to your July Weight Loss appointment with Belinda Kirkpatrick, to receive your second July appointment absolutely free! That is a saving of $85!
This voucher is transferable so please feel free to forward it to a friend and share the gift of health!