What You Need to Know About Histamine
Find out what histamine does in the body and what an intolerance is.
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The body
3 WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR DETOXIFICATION
Detoxification is a natural process that the body undertakes to get rid of toxins and wastes. Find out how you can support this process.
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What you need to know about Serotonin
What is Serotonin? Serotonin is also known as 5-hydroxytriptamine, is a neurotransmitter that is derived from tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. Essential meaning that your body cannot produce it, you need to get it in through food sources such as chicken, eggs, fish, milk, bananas and cheese. What is the role of serotonin? it influences learning and memory it contributes towards happiness and reward it is involved in physiological processes such as sleep, behavior and appetite. it also has biological processes including cardiovascular function, bowel motility, and bladder control Where in the body is it made? It is mainly found in the GI tract, as well as blood platelets and the central nervous system. 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut. The remaining 10% of serotonin is produced by neurons located in the CNS. Increasing Serotonin naturally improving your gut health eating tryptophan rich foods (eggs, cheese, pineapple, salmon, brazil nuts, chicken, milk) getting sunlight first thing in the morning regular exercise having quality sleep every night spending time with loved ones How your genes are involved The DNA mind Test looks at your Serotonergic pathway. There are two main genetic alleles that are taken into account. Some people have alleles that repress the transcriptional process. This causes a boost in the 5-HT1A activity which leads to a negative feedback and thus less serotonin signaling which means you lack enough serotonin. Contact me for more information on your genetic test.
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What you need to know about oxytocin
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuro peptide produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. It plays a role in social bonding and sexual reproduction in both sexes and during and after childbirth. Oxytocin has hormonal actions as well as important actions in the brain. It is also known as the love hormone. It is needed for: triggering uterine contraction social bonding stress management the release of serotonin and dopamine reducing cravings breastfeeding it’s calming effect counteracting the effects of cortisol stimulating growth hormone which helps with cell repair and growth building trust and feeling affection and love Ways to increase oxytocin Magnesium and Vitamin C can increase oxytocin. Being more affectionate helps your body create more oxytocin. There are tiny pressure receptors located throughout the body that help with this. Genetics The oxytocin receptor OXTR is central in inhibiting the brains primary fear and stress center-the amygdala, and promotes courage, calmness, empathy, optimism, trust, self belief and self esteem. Certain genetic variables in the oxytocin receptor gene have been implicated in anxiety and depression. There may be more difficulty in overcoming historic life trauma, and there is a higher risk of developing stress-related health issues. Getting your genetic test can help show you how to increase your oxytocin levels in you have a down regulation in your gene. Contact me for more information. sources: Magon N, Kalra S. The orgasmic history of oxytocin: Love, lust, and labor. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Sep;15 Suppl 3(Suppl3):S156-61. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.84851. PMID: 22029018; PMCID: PMC3183515. Zak PJ, Stanton AA, Ahmadi S. Oxytocin increases generosity in humans. PLoS One. 2007 Nov 7;2(11):e1128. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001128. PMID: 17987115; PMCID: PMC2040517. Cochran DM, Fallon D, Hill M, Frazier JA. The role of oxytocin in psychiatric disorders: a review of biological and therapeutic research findings. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2013 Sep-Oct;21(5):219-47. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0b013e3182a75b7d. PMID: 24651556; PMCID: PMC4120070. Liu N, Yang H, Han L, Ma M. Oxytocin in Women’s Health and Disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Feb 15;13:786271. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.786271. PMID: 35242106; PMCID: PMC8886718. Lee HJ, Macbeth AH, Pagani JH, Young WS 3rd. Oxytocin: the great facilitator of life. Prog Neurobiol. 2009 Jun;88(2):127-51. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2009.04.001. Epub 2009 Apr 10. PMID: 19482229; PMCID: PMC2689929.
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What you need to know about Epinephrine
What is epinephrine and Norepinephrine? Epinephrine and Norepinephrine are hormones and neurotransmitters classed as a catecholamines. Epinephrine is also known as adrenaline. When you are stressed, your body releases adrenaline. Norephinephrine is also known as noradrenaline. Both play a role in the fight or flight response. The difference Both epinephrine and norepinephrine can affect your heart, blood sugar levels, and blood vessels. The main difference between the two is that norepinephrine can also make your blood vessels become narrower which increases blood pressure. Symptoms of low epinephrine include: anxiety depression fibromyalgia hypoglycemia migraine restless legs syndrome sleep disorders Norepinephrine and mental health Norepinephrine is made from dopamine. Norepinephrine is also known to influence areas of cognition and behaviour such as attention and working memory. Dysregulation of the norepinephrine system can result in anxiety and depression and ADHD. Genetics When your COMT gene has a lower enzymatic activity, this can increase epinephrine and norepinephrine in the peripheral and central nervous system, which can result in a high pain sensitivity. When dopamine and norepinephrine levels rise, it can disrupt the regulation of the prefrontal cortex, leading to a diminished ability to cope with negative emotions. Genetic testing The DNA resilience test looks at seven molecular areas of resilience: serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, BDNF, Neuropeptide Y, Oxytocin and the stress axis in order to help identify strengths and hurdles, as well as recommending personalised interventions which can help you to improve your resilience outcomes and health performance. If you are interested in getting your genetic test, please contact me. I am an accredited genetic practitioner.
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Insulin: uses and benefits
{maintains normal blood glucose levels } What is Insulin? Insulin is a peptide hormone. The pancreas makes insulin to regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fat by promoting the uptake of glucose into the places it is stored such as fat cells and skeletal muscle. Diabetes When the function of insulin is not working correctly, Diabetes Mellitus can occur. There are three types of Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes Gestational diabetes Type 1 Diabetes In this type, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to manage blood glucose levels effectively. People with type 1 diabetes require daily insulin injections to mange the condition. It is considered an autoimmune disease that cannot be cured. Type 2 Diabetes This type is also referred to as adult onset diabetes. The target tissues in the body cannot process insulin properly. This means that glucose is not taken up by target tissues and blood sugar levels remain high as a result. Type 2 diabetes is lifestyle related and be prevented or minimized with proper intervention. Gestational Diabetes This type only occurs in pregnant women and is identified during prenatal screenings. It is a temporary condition. Stages of Diabetes Medical professionals recognize four stages of type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance Prediabetes Type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes with complications Insulin resistance Insulin resistance means the target cells, such as the fat tissue, the liver and muscle cells are unable to respond to insulin.When these cells can’t use glucose for energy, glucose remains in the bloodstream longer. Elevated glucose long term can lead to prediabetes. The next stage is when Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed and the final stage is when damage occurs to the vascular system and other organs. What can you do? Fortunately many risk factors for type 2 diabetes can be addressed with lifestyle and behavior modifications. These modifiable risk factors include: smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity,nutrition and being overweight. Health coaching A health coach is not involved in the treating, curing or diagnosing of diabetes. However they are trained to provide education, behavior change, and dietary habit guidance to help you make lifestyle and behavior modifications with regards to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Contact me for more information.
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