Italian researchers have found that rooibos tea is able to boost plasma antioxidant defences in humans. This means theres another good reason to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea at any time of the day!

These profiles are available from our clinic. They provide important information for treating certain conditions at an affordable cost of £261. They can investigate root causes into some common ailments including:

Fatigue
Sleep abnormalities
Mood changes
Blood sugar dysregulation
Weight gain
Nausea
Multiple chemical sensitivity
Bloating
Distention
Joint pain
Gas
Reflux
Autoimmune disorders
Dermatitis
Depression
Anxiety
Cancer
Inflammation
Headaches
Early aging

Why use an organic acid test?

Organic acids are metabolic intermediates produced in pathways of central energy production, detoxification, neurotransmitter breakdown, and intestinal microbial activity. Accumulation of specific organic acids in urine often signals a metabolic inhibition or block. This abnormality may be due to a nutrient deficiency, an inherited enzyme deficit, toxic build-up, or drug effect. Testing for organic acids helps reveal activity and changes at the metabolic level, helping practitioners discover hidden issues and pinpoint where therapeutic focus is needed.

So get in touch if you would like to learn more….

Hypertensive adults who received regular biweekly massage sessions experienced less depression and hostility and showed a decrease in measured stress-hormone levels, according to a research study.

The study titled “High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy” was conducted in conjunction with the Touch Research Institute, the University of Miami School of Medicine and Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Thirty adults with controlled hypertension (for at least the last six months) were randomly assigned to either a massage therapy group or a progressive relaxation group.

Those in the massage group were given twice-weekly 30-minute massage sessions in the afternoon or early evening for five weeks. Massages were given on a rotating basis by various therapists. With the subject in a supine position, the therapist would massage the head and neck, arms, torso and legs with stroking, squeezing, pressing and pulling motions. With the subject in a prone position, the therapist would massage the back of the legs, and would then massage the back.

Participants in the progressive muscle relaxation group received instructions on completing self-administered, twice-weekly 30-minute exercises for five weeks. Researchers instructed subjects to only perform their session in the afternoon or early evening on assigned days to ensure compatibility with the massage group’s schedule. Relaxation sessions began with participants breathing deeply for several minutes while in a supine position with the hands alongside the body. They then followed instructions to

tighten and then relax different muscles, moving upward from the feet to the head. Muscle groups included were of the feet, calves, thighs, hands, arms, back and face. Pre- and post-treatment assessments included: a state anxiety inventory (STAI) to assess current emotions; a salivary sample to measure the levels of the stress hormone cortisol; systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure measures; the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) questionnaire to rate depressive symptoms; Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) self-report symptom inventory of depression, anxiety and hostility; and urinary catecholamines (biologically active amines which affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems) and cortisol measurement.

Results showed that while both groups had lower anxiety levels (STAI) and lower levels of depression (CES-D), only the massage therapy group showed decreases in sitting diastolic and systolic blood pressure; decreases in salivary and urinary cortisol stress-hormone levels; and lower scores for depression, anxiety and hostility.

Researchers suggested that future studies be long-term, and examine the effects of massage on individuals who have high levels of stress.”Longer-term follow-up might also help determine whether the results reflected short-term effects or whether the results would have persisted beyond the treatment sessions,” researchers wrote. “If massage therapy can effectively reduce symptoms associated with hypertension, then it might reduce life-threatening complications, such as the risk of stroke or heart attack.”

Source: Touch Research Institute. Originally reported in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.

A diet rich in fruit, vegetables and unprocessed foods leads less likelihood of a low-grade systemic acidosis. The complications of this are numerous, with some research suggesting that it may lead amongst other things to epilepsy. Many food sources support a more alkaline blood base. That is not to say that the acid forming foods have no value. Some of them are essential to us, but we certainly could get the percentages more in line. 75% alkaline forming to 25% acid forming. This is nothing new, just a focus on less dairy, animal proteins, pesticides, gluten and certain oils. Below are two lists which outline the foods which we could be eating more of, and lots which we could be eating less off.

Soma Healthcare is becoming Carbon Neutral in May 2010. We will also be offering the possibility for our patients to offset their car travel by investing in managed forest plantations.

There will also be incentives to come to see us by foot, on bikes or local transport. Details to follow.

This is a great reference for all those coming to us with suspected food intolerances or food allergies.
Dr Mark Hyman M.D. Video