Kate Arnold Nutrition

Watch out for unqualified practitioners!

October 25, 2010 10:48 am

Have just found two people in the area who are claiming to be Nutritionalists (by the way that is not a word which should tell you all you need to know). They are clearly unqualified to be advising on health and disease – slightly Jack of all trades and masters of none if you ask me.

If you want nutritional advice you have two options:

1.Go and see a state registered dietician. Sadly funding for this is not great and there may be a wait.
2.Go and see a Nutritionist or Nutritional Therapist. They should have at least three years study behind them and should be registered with the Nutrition Society and The British Association of Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapists. At the very least you are looking for a diploma (which is three years training) and anyone with a BSc or MSc should be well qualified in all aspects of health and disease.

It is no good marketing yourself as a Nutritionalist (thats just annoying now!), with a a couple of hours worth of lectures behind you and then being let loose. It is vital that anyone dealing with the public’s health has first class anatomy, physiology, an excellent knowledge in drugs, interactions all aspects of disease and just doesn’t follow the line of “give up gluten and you’ll feel much better”. Being a nutritionist or nutritional therapist is far more detailed, and scientific that you could ever imagine. Some of the GP’s I speak to are amazed at how scientific and technical it is (which is a good thing!)

So guys please chose carefully, don’t get lulled onto dubious looking allergy machines or anyone who has not really done the hard graft! Rant over!

Tesco in Meads

October 22, 2010 3:14 pm

As some of you are aware I was firmly against the opening of a Tesco Express in Meads village for various reasons which I won’t go into on this blog today. I’m pleased to see it is virtually empty every time I drive pass and our Co-Op is thriving. What does this mean? People have voted with their feet. The battle against the opening was fought long and hard and ultimately we all knew it would go through but what we can do is come together and say you know what – we don’t want this superstore ruining our community so we just won’t shop there I’m hoping they will close. There is power in numbers What in its place…

A nice deli and an ironmongers would be really useful.

Keep voting with your feet people of Eastbourne and choose not to shop there!!

Jamie’s 30 minute meals

9:39 am

Like Hugh, Jamie gets it just right. Again, you think what more can he do, but tapping into what is needed – quick and easy food that doesn’t take an age to cook, he has got it right on the money again. I’m not sure I’d spend more than half an hour on cooking myself as I’m so busy but that amount of time seems to be just about right to squeeze into a busy day.

If you haven’t watched the programme – give it a whirl – he’s making some great food!

River Cottage Everyday- Breakfast

9:29 am

What a joy to see Hugh back on our screens. When you think there is nothing more he can cover his Everyday – Breakfast was a joy to watch. The Better Breakfast campaign is such a great idea and it would be amazing if this could be rolled out throughout the UK. I’m forever banging my head on brick walls about the state of our British breakfasts – most of us sit down to a bowl of sugary cereal and a cup of tea. Cereals have completely taken over as a quick and easy choice to start the morning. However, they are full of sugar and most of you tell me you are starving mid morning again – not surprising. Start reading some of the ingredients of these so called healthy choices and you will be amazed at what is in them. The only “cereal” you need to be looking at is porridge, everything else… well in my mind you might as well cut the cardboard up and pour milk over it. Sugar and milk are not the best start to the day for adults or for children. It also resonates down into the workplace and the school room. Concentration levels need to be consistent all day and that means starting with a good breakfast. This doesn’t have to mean spending ages in the morning when we are all rushing and busy. A bowl of porridge takes 5 minutes. If your cupboards are full of sugary cereal perhaps take a look at other quick options and let’s get back to proper breakfasts!

Vitamin B12 and Alzheimers disease

October 20, 2010 11:31 am

It has been known for some time now that Vitamin B12 breaks down homocysteine in the body. High levels of homocysteine may make you more likely to get diseases like Alzheimers, heart disease, strokes and DVT’s. The good news is that high levels can be bought down safely with good nutrition and a few minor supplements. If you interested you can get your levels tested privately and I do these on a regular basis for people who are trying to prevent illness.

If you would like to discuss this with me please call on 01323 737814 or email at katenut@aol.com. You may be interested in the article below which you can cut and paste into your browser

http://www.anh-europe.org/news/pharma-game-plan-revealed?utm_source=The+Alliance+for+Natural+Health&utm_campaign=0cddb32a08-101011_ANH_Intl_Alert_No_4610_11_2010&utm_medium=email

Activia Pouring Yoghurt

October 17, 2010 6:30 pm

Just had a look at the ingredients in the Activia Pouring Yoghurt. It’s ok…ish. But those of you who know me, know I keep badgering you to eat protein for breakfast rather than creamy sugary drinks or high sugar cereals. The Activia range of yoghurts I’ve discussed on this blog before – many of their ranges are low fat but in turn contain artificial sweeteners. I’m not sure that putting cream and sugar in your guts in the morning is a good thing. Why not try an organic bio yoghurt and add your own sugar in the form of fresh fruit, add nuts and a little honey – or better still scramble an egg – when did you last see those advertised between X-factor breaks!!

Just back from holidays!

October 8, 2010 5:30 pm

Have just got back from an amazing two weeks on the lovely island of Hydra in Greece. My newsletter this month will include some thoughts and pics of Greek food and the simplicity of the ingredients they use.

It’s not all about blood tests

September 17, 2010 10:43 am

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthadvice/jameslefanu/7986713/Dr-James-Le-Fanu-Blood-tests.html

The above article got me thinking today. Essentially when you are seeing a doctor with vague symptoms, blood tests will be taken, and as James Le Fanu says this is a very reassuring process. However 99% of my patients have had a battery of tests and when they are all normal are told there is nothing wrong with them. Also at this point some doctors may think well if the tests say the patient is physically right then it must be a mental health problem. I think this is too simple an approach and this is why I am so busy.

And I’m not being arrogant or clever here, but it doesnt make sense to me to brush people off as having something mentally wrong (usually depression) if a few blood tests say you are fine physically.

Chronic health is a complex problem. The two most common symptoms I see are tired all the time syndrome (TATT) and IBS. A few basic blood tests will tell you that you are not anaemic, and your thyroid is ok, but TATT needs to be looked into in depth and for that you need time.

Poor diet, poor blood sugar control, bad sleep patterns, stress, food allergies, vitamin B deficiencies etc etc can be just some of the reasons people are tired and yes of course depression can be one of those, but its not usually the most common in my experience.

I remember for years being told I was a really awful colour – a kind of lemon yellow and I couldn’t feel my feet and for a long time I was told it was nothing. I had full blood counts and as they were all fine I was well – but I wasn’t – my touch sensation began to go really weird and I had pins and needles everywhere. It wasn’t until I went to a private GP in London that as I walked through the door he asked me immediately if I suffered from pernicious anemia – I said no. A blood test result a week later showed my B12 levels were dangerously low – I didn’t have pernicious anaemia but did need injections and in a couple of hours after the first injection I was feeling a completely different person. Now this was 15 years ago, I wouldn’t let that happen now but I knew nothing of blood tests or disease. To this day, because I’ve had parasite infections and giardia I still for some reason can’t keep my B12 levels up so still have injections three times a year. And yet all that time various doctors had not done a B12, they didnt think it was necessary because my Full Blood Count was ok.

It isnt always about blood tests, its often important to look at clinical symptoms and actually whether the patient looks well. It was blindingly obvious what I had wrong with me but many people had missed it – perhaps they weren’t looking in the right place ie at my face!

The Young Ones

September 16, 2010 1:12 pm

I’m having great fun watching BBC1’s The Young One’s. Taking the simple principle that sending people back in time to their heyday may improve their physical and mental wellbeing has been a joy to watch. The selection of celebrities has been good too – the amazing Lionel Blair (who admits he’s lying about his age, late 70’s, early 80’s?), the splendid Liz Smith, Derek Jameson, Dickie Bird, Kenneth Kendall and Carry on beauty Sylvia Syms.

I’m not sure it’s just about taking people back to their prime. For Dickie Bird who lives alone and unmarried the comraderie and community spirit is also putting a smile on his face. Last night Lionel Blair got Liz Smith up to dance, which was extraordinary as she entered the house on two sticks. Interestingly when they allowed carers in to help them, there was a split in the group. Some had found their independence and would not give it up easily and found it humiliating and insulting to have someone to do things for them. The other half liked the help and that group went back to the role of very old incapable person when they clearly had been capable the day before.

I also found it very moving seeing Lionel Blair wanting desperately to go back to work, waiting at home for the phone to ring. I hope he does get offered something – he has so much talent. I’d love Dickie Bird to move in with Derek Jameson after the experiment to keep each other giggling and in high spirits.

If you are reading this and in your 70’s and 80’s keep fighting for your independence and your youth – keep working for as long as you can if it gives you joy. Early retirement can be dangerous – keep your mind and body active for as long as possible.

Am looking forward to seeing what the stats show at the end of the programme – I suspect they will all be physically and mentally much younger. Great stuff!

If fat consumption is reducing why are we getting fatter?

September 15, 2010 4:25 pm

This is one of the many extracts that I will add to my blog from time to time regarding fat consumption – its dropping not rising. This one is taken from the CDC – the American Centre for Disease Control. So if our fat consumption is getting less and obesity rates are climbing whats going on? Would love to hear your views!!!

Trends in Intake of Energy and Macronutrients — United States, 1971–2000

During 1971–2000, the prevalence of obesity in the United States increased from 14.5% to 30.9%. Unhealthy diets and sedentary behaviors have been identified as the primary causes of deaths attributable to obesity. Evaluating trends in dietary intake is an important step in understanding the factors that contribute to the increase in obesity. To assess trends in intake of energy (i.e., kilocalories [kcals]), protein, carbohydrate, total fat, and saturated fat during 1971–2000, CDC analyzed data from four National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES): NHANES I (conducted during 1971–1974), NHANES II (1976–1980), NHANES III (1988–1994), and NHANES 1999–2000. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicate that, during 1971–2000, mean energy intake in kcals increased, mean percentage of kcals from carbohydrate increased, and mean percentage of kcals from total fat and saturated fat decreased . An expert advisory committee appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting a review of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (3). Revised guidelines will be published in 2005