Skin disorders such as dermatitis, acne, fungal infections (Tinea), psoriasis, and many other conditions are common and conceded that they are an unavoidable while growing up; however, it is associated with underlying pathologies that cause these problems which can be improved –often fairly simply.

The skin is a very large organ which permits the elements to move in and out of the body. E.g. Sweat and sebum(oil) Sweat is the body’s way to balance optimum body temperature by helping to cool us down. It removes toxins from our body (detox). The strong body odor indicates that the skin is being utilised for this purpose. Using deodorants suppress the detox process.

Every day we apply moisturizers, cleansers, cosmetics, powders, perfumes, hand cleansers etc. which are full of toxic chemical substances and these go through the skin in our bodies causing toxic overload.

Many solvents and surfactants used in shampoos and conditioners are toxic and many have a molecular weight so small that they could pass through the skin and small enough to pass into the blood stream where they can be transported around the body to wreak havoc in your system. Lead is used in lipstick to make it last longer, causes lead poisoning. In many brands this has been replaced by Cobalt. Time will tell if cobalt in excess has damaging effects on the human body.

Many other health conditions are caused by absorbing chemicals and toxins from outside. Benzene absorbed through the skin causes liver failure and cancer and at one time many mechanics washed their hands in this to remove grease; they often still use petrol for this purpose causing similar problems.

Often a detox is needed for the body. Trying random methods determined by asking friends and Dr Google can not only make things worse, but it can also prolong the problem and potentially cause other more damaging problems in the meantime. There are various ways for body detox, talk to the Naturopath and get a full assessment of your issues and potential causes and cures.

Strong immune health is key for overall health and well-being. Your immune system shields from pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that may attack your body. The infections, inflammation and disease are due to the toxins produced by these invaders. If you want to protect yourself from illness and health issues, boosting your immune health is essential.  

Your immune system is there to keep you healthy. A compromised immune system becomes sluggish, and cannot properly protect you, leaving you vulnerable to infections, illness, and disease. Hence, good immune health is an essential base for establishing good health.

If you want to protect your immune system, there are a few things you need to watch out for.

Sugar : Too much sugar in your diet feeds parasites and also depletes your body from immune-boosting nutrients, such as vitamin C, zinc, and glutathione. The more glucose is in your body, the less vitamin C can enter your cells. Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for your
immune system.

Sleep Deprivation: Your body needs time to rest and repair in order to function optimally. Not getting enough or quality sleep on a regular basis may increase the cortisol levels in your body and disrupt the normal cycle of rejuvenation. You need 7–9 hours of sleep every night. Getting
less than 7 hours of sleep on a regular basis may increase chronic stress, inflammation, and immune dysregulation in your body.  

Staying Indoors: In our modern world we spend more than 90 percent of time indoors. You are missing out on the benefits of fresh air, vitamin D from the sun, and grounding. Instead, your indoor environment may come with indoor toxins, such as mold or chemical toxins, that can be harmful to your immune health. 

The good news is eating nutrient-dense, immune-boosting foods is one of the best ways to support your immune health. In general, low sugar, phytonutrient rich herbs, fruit and vegetables, fermented foods and healthy fats are the best immune-supporting foods to include in your diet.

Here is a list of my favourite food to incorporate for robust immune health:

• Lime and Lemons

When it comes to immune health, it is likely that vitamin C is the first thing that comes to mind. The best sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes. You can squeeze it on any salad or adding into your water for extra immune health, detox- and metabolism-boosting
benefits.

• Garlic and Onions

Garlic and onions have been used to fight infections for thousands of years, and are found in just about every cuisine and culture around the world. They are powerful anti-inflammatory and beneficial for your immune health

• Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar that is created from the fermented, unstrained juice of crushed apples. It is a highly acidic substance with a potent, strong smell It may be one of the most versatile foods in your kitchen. It is high in vitamin C, vitamin E, antioxidants, and has probiotic benefits. Research has shown that it is highly beneficial for your immune health and may help with congestion and colds. For colds, mix 1-part apple cider vinegar with 5–6 parts of water and 2–3 tablespoons of organic, raw honey.

• Ginger

The research has shown that ginger has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It may help to decrease inflammation, boost your immune health, improve sore throat, reduce pain, and improve your digestion. It is one of the main ingredients in making curries.

• Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important vitamin that more resembles a hormone than a vitamin considering its function in your body. Vitamin D boosts up our natural T Helper cells.  These T helper cells work to suppress inflammation and modulate the immune response so it is more effective at combating pathogen. Being out on the sun is the ideal way to boost your vitamin D levels.  You can also use certain foods such as egg yolk, organ meat, grass-fed butter and salmon, but the levels are too low to have a really strong impact.

• Zinc

Zinc is critical for balancing your immune system and to reduce immunological stress and improves immune coordination. It is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in modernised countries and is a necessary nutrient for optimal immune health.

A recipe to extinguish cough, cold and sniffles
1 onion, chopped
10 cloves of garlic, crushed or chopped
1 lemon, zest and juice

2 Tbsp each dried Echinacea, Elderberry
1 tsp each cinnamon, star anise
1 Tablespoon turmeric powder or 2 Tablespoons freshly grated turmeric root
1/2 cup freshly peeled and grated ginger root
1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
500 mls organic apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Manuka/ Raw honey, or to taste

Add all the ingredients except Manuka/Raw honey in the glass bottle. Keep it in cool dark place for 6 days. Then strain the content in muslin cloth add honey. Stir till honey is dissolved completely.

Brilliant for colds, sniffles and sore throats. Take 2 mls everyday swig it on the rocks or in a mug of warm water.

Did you know that your hormones are made from the nutrients that you eat? That these nutrients are the building blocks of making hormones? That your diet and lifestyle has everything to do with your hormonal balance and quality of life? Hormonal balance is not something we tend to think about when everything is going well in our lives. But when we start having symptoms like moodiness, fatigue, skin issues, weight gain, weight around the middle, trouble sleeping, migraines, PMS, endometriosis, infertility, low sex drive, hot flashes, PCOS or other issues, hormones could be to blame.

Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers, and are made in the endocrine glands and in testes or ovaries. Steroid hormones, such as cortisol and the sex hormones, are all synthesized from cholesterol, and cholesterol is made from fats. When you give your body a high concentration of polyunsaturated fats like vegetable oils or margarine, it has no choice but to incorporate these fats into the cells during cell repair and creation. The problem is that polyunsaturated fats are highly unstable and oxidize easily in the body. These oxidized fats cause inflammation and mutation in cells. If your diet is low in fat, your body is deprived
of the building blocks for cholesterol. Instead, fats like coconut oil, grass fed butter, olive oil, avocados, animal fats (tallow, lard) and wild caught fish high in omega-3, will give your body the right fats to achieve optimal health.

Excessive levels of oestrogens in women and men are epidemic in our society. Many synthetic chemicals (especially plastics) mimic oestrogen. These synthetic xeno-oestrogens are much more powerful than the oestrogen made in the body. The best way to eliminate xeno-oestrogens is to avoid them, by reducing exposure to toxins, and never heating food in plastic. Plastics are full of these compounds, which when heated, will leak into food. Healthy bowel flora is also important for preventing re-absorption of oestrogens – adding probiotic foods such as kefir, sauerkraut and probiotic yoghurt to your diet will help your body to get
rid of excess oestrogens.

Balancing hormones starts with your food choices. Try these tips for optimal hormonal balance:

• Eat more often to keep blood sugar levels steady, but keep portions on the small and healthy side. Increase dietary fibre- this can be through fruit and vegetables.
• Protein such as poultry, fish and beans, and complex carbohydrates like oats and brown rice are good sugar regulators. Protein also is needed for metabolism of oestrogens in the liver.
• Increase foods rich in B6 like nuts and seeds and meat. Cut down on processed and sugary foods – the closer the food is to its natural state, the better.
• Avoid dairy products, as dairy has oestrogens and insulin like growth factors that could affect your hormones.
• Load up on steamed broccoli, collard greens and kale, which help balance hormones.
• Supplement with vitamin B6, magnesium, zinc and fish oil.
• Get regular exercise and get enough sleep.

How to start with a few simple tried and trusted ways to help your body detox every day! This article covers the basics on what anybody and everybody can do to get more out of each day.

1. Start with water.
   We all know we should be drinking more, but perhaps jazzing it up with a squeeze of lemon/lime, a slice of cucumber or orange and a sprig of mint is just what you need getting you sipping on the good stuff more often. Aside from the great taste, the added bonus to infusing fruits and herbs into water is getting in some extra vitamin C. Aim for 2-2.5L of fluids each day.
2. Eat more not less.
   Add in a rainbow coloured and variety of fruits and veggies packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Pair these with wholegrains and legumes for protein and carbs and a fistful of nuts, seeds and oils for balanced diet. You don’t need to jump to the extremes of a juice cleanse or cutting out carbs/fat entirely. Focus on adding 2 colours of fresh fruit or veggies to each meal first and you will notice the difference to how you feel. Bonus points for buying organic produce
   to eliminate nasty pesticides and chemicals.
3. Reduce your sugar intake.
   This isn’t limited to the two sugars you add to your tea and coffee. This includes the takeaway food that you buy out at lunch, doughnuts, cookies, cupcakes, chocolate, etc. It all adds up. Be mindful of what you put into your body. Swapping the bad foods out for healthier alternatives is another tip to help satisfy your hunger and curb cravings. Reducing how much you eat and sticking to recommended serving sizes is important too if you are watching your weight.
4. Eliminate toxic oils.
   These include poor quality commercial vegetable oil and canola oil which are high in trans-fats and low in antioxidants. These oils are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease,
   obesity and cancer. Substitute for good cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, hemp seed oil, sesame oil and flaxseed oil for cooking and salad dressings.
5. Spice it up!
   Chlorella and coriander can help naturally remove the heavy metals aluminium, lead and mercury from the body. Sulphur-rich garlic has the ability to reduce the accumulation of arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium in the liver, kidneys and bones. Turmeric has potent antioxidant properties that aid digestion, improve liver function and may relieve joint pain. Get creative with what you add to your smoothies, seasonings and salads!
6. Exfoliate.
   Dry skin brushing helps eliminate toxins via the skin and promote blood flow. It also leaves you feeling invigorated afterwards. Note: dry skin brushing is not recommended for excessively dry/sensitive skin, as with eczema or psoriasis, and should be avoided on the face unless using a smaller, softer brush.
7. Practice mindfulness. This can be in the form of guided meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, gardening or whateverelse works to draw your attention to what is happening inside the mind and how this is affecting the emotions and body. Toxic emotions, negative thought patterns and stress contribute greatly to mental health and physical wellbeing. Becoming more aware of the thoughts and being able to identify them as they arise to be able to pause, breathe and respond rather than react is the essence of mindfulness and how it brings harmony to the body and mind.
8. Get moving! Regular exercise is important not only for looking trim and toned, but for boosting blood and lymph circulation. It enhances digestion, reduces muscle tension and strengthens the body. Making a start is the most important thing and you do not have stick to a strict new gym regime. Ease into it, add more in gradually but make sure you keep it consistent. Take the stairs. Walk or squat when you’re on the phone at work or at home. Park a little further from work or better yet cycle to work.
9. Catch up on sleep. Enough shut eye is as important as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Getting 7-9 hours each night should be non-negotiable. Reboot your routine by taking a break from caffeine and alcohol, setting a regular bedtime, avoiding late dinners, and ditching computer screens, TVs and phones for at least 1-2 hours before bed. Melatonin is the ‘sleep hormone’ released by the brain in response to darkness, so it is best to minimise the amount of light you are exposed to for a better night’s sleep.
10. Relax and unwind with a cup of tea. Stress worsens both the physical effects and felt experience of disease. Prolonged or excessive stress correlates to the amount of cortisol hormone released as the body attempts to match the demands of stress we are under, but we can only handle a set amount before it sends our system haywire. Stress, and cortisol, play a role in dampening the immune response and increasing the likelihood of us catching a cold, being depressed, becoming obese, having high blood pressure, and many more. Chamomile, passionflower and lemon balm are our top tea recommendations for stress. Calendula, dandelion root and echinacea are our favourite detox choices with added benefits of clearing congested lymph, tonifying the liver, and boosting immunity, respectively.