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Modern stress is a handbrake. As a collective we’re experiencing unparalleled levels of fatigue, but why? Simply put, our bodies are trying to function in a world they just weren’t designed to live in.

Do you wake each morning feeling unrefreshed? Are you a victim of 3pm-itis? Do you wish you had more energy to get to the gym? With modern life full of personal stressors, work demands, social commitments, relationships to nurture, healthy food to prepare and exercise to complete, you wouldn’t be alone

Technology has forever changed the world we live in. From smart phones to solar panels, our lives are infinitely more connected and convenient – thanks to the vast array of gadgets and appliances available at our fingertips. Whilst it’s true that these devices enrich our lives in many ways, mounting evidence warns that our prized possessions could also be double-edged swords providing convenience at the cost of our health.

Sharing is caring – a delightful virtue when it comes to little humans; but when it is a plaguing cold or a nasty tummy bug, it can be nothing short of a family catastrophe! Whilst these kinds of experiences can help children build a robust immune system.

Whilst the burden of pain can feel isolating, it is a road travelled by many. In fact, 3.24 million Australians suffered from persistent pain in 2018,[¹] making it a commonly shared experience. For some, it’s a headache that feels like a thousand ice picks; for others, it’s shooting, surging and pulsing lower back pain.

HELP, I’m Inflamed!

Everyone has experienced the phenomenon of acute inflammation – a sprained ankle, a splinter, or a cut – resulting in the affected area becoming red, swollen, hot, and painful. This is your immune system rushing to protect your body from any bacteria or viruses that may try to infect the area, and is also the first step in repairing tissue damage. This is part of a normal, healthy inflammatory response and should die down, or resolve, once the injury heals.[¹] In some cases, however, inflammation sticks around and becomes chronic.

More than half of the Australian population suffers from chronic inflammation and pain.[²] Ongoing inflammation may be a response to repetitive damage that does not heal (e.g. arthritis), but it can also occur in response to other triggers such as toxins, allergens, or oxidative stress, also causing tissue damage. Chronic inflammation has been associated with the development of many types of disease such as type 2 diabetes, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory bowel disease and obesity.[³]

The Purpose of Poo

As you read this, your body is working hard to:

• Clear waste produced during its normal, healthy activities
• Remove compounds (e.g. hormones) from circulation that have completed their tasks
• Neutralise toxins that can harm your body, and
• Fight off pathogens (infectious organisms) that could otherwise make you sick

Once it’s completed these tasks, the next step is to eliminate these unwanted substances. It does this by packaging them up and sending them to your intestines to be eliminated in your poo! 

Has that weekly “cheeky glass of wine” slowly crept its way into your daily routine? If you answered yes, perhaps it’s time to break the cycle and say ‘hasta la vista’ to the booze…at least for the month of July. The benefits of banishing the booze and taking a month-long break from alcohol bring with it.

Inflammation is the body’s initial response to cell damage and is designed to protect it from infection or further injury. Like day and night, the inflammatory process is a cycle defined by two halves – initiation and resolution.

Chances are you or someone you know suffers from IBS, which affects one in ten Australians.[¹] Symptoms range in severity from mild to debilitating and include digestive discomfort, excessive flatulence (gas), bloating, constipation or diarrhoea, or alternation between the two. These symptoms can be associated with three underlying factors: gut inflammation, an imbalance in the number of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ gut bacteria and stress.

Whether due to an intolerance or allergy, the choice to follow a vegan diet, or the want to reduce environmental impact, the number of people choosing to go dairy-free has risen dramatically. To meet this demand, the range of non-dairy milks has never been greater. Derived from grains and legumes, each type of milk alternative comes with its own benefits. However, some milks may have hidden pitfalls, such as additives or greater ‘food miles’. Given the myriad of dairy-free options, how do you choose the right one for your needs? To help you make an informed choice, read on for details about the most common dairy-free alternatives and how to navigate your way through their ingredients

Fermented foods and beverages, such as sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha, were a regular part of our ancestors’ diets for thousands of years. Originally a method of preserving produce from harvest time through the cold days of winter;[¹] fermentation involves adding a bacterial or yeast starter to a food. These organisms convert starches and sugars to alcohol or acids, lengthening the food’s shelf life and producing the unique and tangy flavours we associate with fermented foods. Recently, these foods have seen a resurgence in popularity, not for their shelf lives but for their claimed digestive health benefits. As probiotics have also risen in popularity for similar reasons, let us explore how fermented foods stack up against a high-quality probiotic.