Ask Pumpkin

Answer

His diet should be balanced and nutritious to include a variety of foods and nutrients, all vital for thyroid function. His food should be at least 50% fresh, and organically grown, as pesticides have been shown to interfere with thyroid function.

Nutritious foods include sprouts, salads, steamed vegetables, nuts, seeds and wholegrains. He should have plenty of iodine rich foods such as seafood (shrimps, mussels, prawns), seaweed (kelp, dulse, hijike, nori, wakame, kombu) & fish, as iodine is most abundant in the sea. Seafood is also excellent source of zinc and selenium, both vital for thyroid function. Iodine is a constituent part of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and is therefore vital for normal thyroid function. T3, the physiologically active thyroid hormone, is converted from T4 hormone by deiodinases enzymes, which require several nutrient co-factors; the most important being selenium, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamins A, E & C. He should have plenty of foods rich in vitamin A such as eggs, oily fish, organic livers, cheese, milk, etc. Vitamin A is essential for proper function of the active T3 hormone function.

He should consume foods rich in tyrosine, one of the main building blocks of the thyroid hormones, found in avocados, pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts, dairy products, beef, chicken, and fish. Zinc and copper are also important for optimum thyroid hormone function. Foods rich in zinc include: pumpkin seeds and other nuts and seeds (also good source of vitamin E), fish, seafood, chicken (preferably organic or free range) and beef. Foods rich in copper include: eggs, nuts, organ meats (range free), beans, peas, etc.

He should restrict the intake of fruits and vegetables of the brassica family also called goitrogens (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnips, kale, kohlrabi and cauliflower) they contain compounds which inhibit thyroid function when consumed in high amounts. Goitrogens are also Soybeans, peanuts, pine nuts, millet, strawberries, peaches, pears, spinach and cassava root. He should also avoid processed and refined foods, stimulants such as tea and coffee, sugars and fizzy drinks.

Pumps

Answer

First of all, you father should not come off any medication without consulting his GP first.

Proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of acid by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. Whether or not this medication may have contributed to colon cancer, I do not know, as there are many contributing factors that could be involved.

Gastric acid (HCl) production is regulated by both the autonomic nervous system and several hormones and peptides such as histamine and acethylcholine.

Nutritionally it is very difficult to control HCl secretion. However, I would advise low protein diet and reduction of high histamine foods and drinks – eg sausages, salami, ham, tinned fish, smoked, fish, red wine, yeast, etc….

Unfortunately such a diet can be quite restrictive. Your father may be lacking enzymes Diaminoxidase (DAO) and N-acetyltransferase involved in histamine metabolism. I would therefore recommend your stepfather visits a laboratory in London (MSML) that could check the activity of these enzymes. They will also advise on the course of actions, based on the test results:-

http://www.nutritionlondon.net/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/1012?opendocument&part=4

Pumps

Answer

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/eatwellplate/

I hope this helps. Warm regards.

Pumps

Answer

You are right. You need to exercise more and eat a healthy, balanced diet. I suggest you avoid eating starches such as rice, bread, potatoes, pasta etc. in the evening and that you have your last meal at least 4 hours before bed (preferably not later than 6pm). Starches, when ingested in excess, are converted to fat.

You also need to avoid sweet fruits such as grapes, bananas, papayas, etc. These fruits are high in sugar, which when ingested in excess, is also converted to fat. You can have low GI fruits such as apples, kiwis, berries, etc.

It is also important that you have 3 meals a day. Skipping meals will send your body into a 'starvation' mode and your metabolism will slow down; you will burn fewer calories and find it difficult to lose weight.

Having some protein (animal or plant) with each meal will help you balance your blood sugar levels and make you fee full longer (less cravings). Good sources of plant proteins are beans and pulses, nuts and seeds and tofu. Be careful with nuts though, as they can be fattening. Seeds, on the other hand, are excellent source of essential oils vital for hormonal balance, as well as fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals.

To help you balance your hormones, I would recommend that you take 3 tablespoons of cold pressed flax seed oil daily. Flax seeds contain phytochemicals, lignans, which help to balance female hormones. I hope I have answered your question.

Please let me know how you get on.

Pumps

Answer

From your email it appears that you are not getting sufficient protein in your diet, as it appears very much carbohydrate dependent.

You could have an increased gut permeability due to the infection you have had in the past and you could consequently have food sensitivities, which may be stopping you from losing weight. Naturally, there could be other reasons as well, which I cannot identify without having all the facts.

Re: pins and needles - please see a medical doctor regarding this problem.
Most probably there is a very simple explanation for these, but I do suggest that you get this investigated by your GP. With regard to other problems, I suggest you visit a BCNH qualified practitioner - please view the practitioners page. Good luck with the Uni and please let me know if I can help you any further.

Good luck with the Uni and please let me know if I can help you any further.


Pumps

Answer

First of all, I wish to stress that beauty (and radiance) come from within. That means eating a healthy diet and leading a healthy lifestyle (generally anyway).

The best foods to reduce (not eliminate) free radical damage are antioxidants. These are nutrients found in fresh fruits and vegetables, berries being my favourite, as they contain flavonoids such as proanthocyandins and resveratrol.

A study published in Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine found that Proanthocyandins in grape seed can reduce skin damage caused by UV-radiation. Green tea polyphenols have also been shown to protect against UV damage. However, avoiding excessive exposure to the sun is indispensable.

Grape skin, as well as other berries, contains another phytochemical - resveratrol, which is associated with anti-ageing and has other health benefits.

Raw nuts and seeds are excellent source of essential fatty acids (EFAs) which are constituent parts of cell membranes and make skin soft and moist. They are also an excellent source of Vitamin E which protects cell membranes from oxidation (free radical damage).

Suppliers of natural non-synthetic supplements, to my knowledge, are reputable companies such as BioCare, Nutri, Higher Nature, Allergy Research, Biotics, Cytoplan and maybe few others that I may have missed out. However, I’d like to stress out that I do not encourage self-supplementation and supplements can not substitute healthy eating.

I hope I have answered your question.

Pumps

Answer

I assume your fibroids were diagnosed by your doctor. If not, you must see your GP. Fibroids are nothing to be ashamed of; my mummy has them and she keeps them under control nutritionally (and has regular medical check ups).

You would definitely benefit from changing your diet - e.g. avoiding wheat, dairy, and inorganic products containing pesticides, which mimic oestrogen in the body (excess oestrogen promotes growth such as uterine fibroids).

I cannot recommend any supplements as I need more information.

You can always book a 1.5 hour consultation with one of our Year 3 students for £30. Please contact my 'PA' Greg in admin department (020 7372 5740) for further information.

I hope I have answered your question.

Pumps

Answer

All oils are damaged by deep-frying. However, light sesame oil is less damaged by high temperatures and oxygen. This may be due to an antioxidant called sesamin, which gives it better oxidative stability. However, if the oil begins to burn and smoke, the temperature is too high and the oil will be damaged.

Dark sesame oil (Asian) has a stronger flavour and should only be used in small quantities for flavouring foods - not cooking.

The best oil considered for cooking is grapeseed oil. This oil has a higher smoke point and if not labeled "extra virgin" it will likely have fewer chemicals that could be damaged at high temperature cooking.

I hope I've answered your question. Wishing you the best of health.

Pumps