Luke Clarke

Functional Medicine Practitioner and Naturopath in Melbourne

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March 25, 2022 by Luke Leave a Comment

Is your thyroid the smoking gun behind your symptoms?

Do you or someone you know suffer from a thyroid condition? If so, you may be aware how big of an impact this small gland can have on the body.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in the lower part of your neck. Its primary role is to produce the hormones thyroxine (T4), which is the inactive form, and triiodothyronine (T3), the active form. T4 is first produced by the thyroid, and then sent out into the body to be converted into T3.

T4 is first produced by the thyroid and then sent out into the body to be converted into T3.

Through these hormones, the thyroid then works to instruct and regulate important systems in your body. These include your body’s energy balance (regulating your weight), heat production (keeping your body temperature ideal) and nutrient metabolism (absorbing and processing the nutrients in your diet so your cells can use them).

So if the thyroid is so important, what happens when issues arise, and it can’t produce the right amount of thyroid hormones?

When balance becomes chaos

Triggered often by nutrient deficiencies, stress, infections, and even pregnancy, there are two main conditions associated with alterations to thyroid function:

  • Hypothyroidism – when the thyroid produces less T3 and T4 than the body needs, leading to the body’s metabolic rate to slow. This is also referred to as an underactive thyroid.
  • Hyperthyroidism – when the thyroid produces too much T3 and T4, stimulating and increasing the body’s metabolic rate above healthy levels. This is also referred to as an overactive thyroid.

While both conditions share some similarities in their presentations, there are also hallmark signs and symptoms that denote whether someone may suffer from one thyroid condition over the other. Examples of these symptom profiles include:

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid function)

  • Unintentional weight gain, or hard to lose weight.
  • Dry, flaky and/or thicker skin
  • Hair loss and thinning, with loss of the last third of the eyebrows.
  • Marked fatigue
  • Cold

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid function)

  • Unintentional weight loss, or hard to put on weight
  • Skin becomes warm, moist and/or itchy.
  • Hair loss and thinning.
  • Marked fatigue.
  • Anxious and hot

However, while these symptoms can occur with an under and/or over active thyroid, they can also be symptoms of a myriad of other conditions. So before you go blaming your thyroid, I recommend seeking the advice of a Healthcare Practitioner, as they will be able to elucidate if your thyroid is the true cause of your symptoms. They also have access to an extensive thyroid testing to confirm this, plus a full suite of natural interventions to address the underlying cause, and support your thyroid directly.

Nutritional TLC

Some of the interventions used in correcting thyroid imbalances are key nutrients that the thyroid needs to create T3 and T4, and protect it from any damage that can occur if the body is inflamed or unwell. This foundational thyroid support is comprised of:

  • Iodine: Thyroid hormones contain the mineral iodine as part of their chemical structure. If a person’s iodine intake is too low, the thyroid gland enlarges in an attempt to take up more from the blood (called a goitre), highlighting the importance of adequate iodine status in your body! Food sources include egg yolk, seaweed (ideal for sushi-lovers), oysters and scallops.
  • Tyrosine: An amino acid, tyrosine is another structural component of thyroid hormones.  It is therefore important to ensure you are eating enough each day from protein-rich foods, such as animal protein, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy protein.
  • Selenium: This mineral is required to convert the inactive T4 into active T3. This conversion process also causes a natural level of oxidative stress within the thyroid gland, with selenium working to prevent this from damaging the thyroid tissue. Brazil nuts are a particularly rich source of this

If a person’s iodine intake is too low, the thyroid gland enlarges in an attempt to take up more from the blood (called a goitre), highlighting the importance of adequate iodine status in your body!

Time to Think About Your Thyroid?

Given the scope and impact that your thyroid has on the metabolic processes within your body, it should come as no surprise that dysfunction, whether over or under activity, will have a far-reaching impact to your health. If you’ve noticed changes in your weight, skin, hair and energy levels aligned with the list above, this may be a good time to talk with a Practitioner to evaluate whether your thyroid needs some extra care and attention.

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February 7, 2022 by Luke Leave a Comment

Your Health Your Choice – Natural Health Rebates

Have your say! Now is the time to do your part in helping to protect people’s choice in complementary healthcare.

Your Health Your Choice, Australia’s largest consumer campaign to protect people’s choice in complementary healthcare, is urging people to let their Federal MPs know that they want natural therapy rebates restored.

Private health insurers, patients, health practitioners, researchers, educators, and small businesses can all have a voice. In fact, private health insurers have already expressed their desire for a failed Natural Therapies Review to be abandoned – instead asking Australia’s Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, to allow them to decide for themselves what they offer to their customers, advising that ‘there is no sound public policy argument for government intervention in this area’ and that ‘enough evidence already exists’.

How you can play your part and take action:

1. Let your Federal MP know that you want natural therapy rebates restored

Your Health Your Choice make this easy – start by entering your postcode here:

CLICK TO ENTER POSTCODE

 

2. Join the 116,764 people (and counting) who have voiced their wish to protect their rights in accessing traditional medicine and natural therapies.
It only takes 30 seconds – you can sign here:
CLICK TO SIGN

 

 

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February 7, 2022 by Luke Leave a Comment

What Is a Detox?

What Is a Detox?

Fasting for days?

Juicing green vegetables?

Grimacing after herbal tonics?

Surviving off lemon juice and maple syrup?

Detox programs can take many weird and wonderful forms, with as many options as people’s opinions of them!

Those who believe in detox claim it can reduce or eliminate symptoms such as brain fog, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue and joint pain; while others strongly assert there is no need to detox, and it’s simply marketing hype.

So Where Do You Stand?So Where Do You Stand?

Confusing and misleading information certainly exists around what a detox is, how it should look, what it achieves, and what results are possible from completing one.

However, whether you’re detox-converted or detox-doubtful, it’s vitally important to understand what a comprehensive detox actually looks like, and what it encompasses. This ensures you get the most out of your detox, and don’t fall victim to regimes that promise the world…but leave you hungry, out of pocket, and feeling no better than when you started!

A professionally designed clinical detoxification program comprises two main aspects:

  1. It reduces the toxic burden on your body; lessening your exposure to harmful everyday toxins by modifying your diet and lifestyle; and
  2. Offers strategically selected natural herbs and nutrients able to support healthy toxin elimination, whilst also increasing your body’s resilience to toxins for the future.

A truly comprehensive detoxification program will address both of these factors, as optimal results cannot be achieved from just addressing one or, as is often the case with fad detoxes, none of these.

So how does a professionally designed and supported detox program address these two factors?

1. Reduce the toxin burden on your body.

This first step of a clinical detoxification program is to follow a specific detox diet that guides you with a simplified list of foods you can enjoy, and foods to avoid during your program.

Common foods temporarily eliminated from your diet during a detox are:

  • Wheat/gluten;
  • Dairy;
  • Caffeine;
  • Sugar;
  • Alcohol; and
  • Red meat.

Don’t worry, it’s not forever!

Restricting these foods reduces inflammation and oxidative stress within your body, lessening the demand on your liver as well as your digestive and immune systems.

Reduce the toxin burden on your body.Reducing toxin burden also means finding areas within your home or lifestyle that could increase your toxin exposure. For example, hormone disrupting chemicals (also referred to as endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs) can be found in plastics, synthetic skincare and make-up, unfiltered water, and home cleaning products, so should also be eliminated. Using your detox program as a time to switch over to natural alternatives is a fantastic opportunity to reduce your toxin burden ongoing, for lasting benefits beyond your detox program timeframe.

2. Support toxin elimination and increase your body’s resilience to toxins.

Support toxin elimination and increase your body’s resilience to toxins.While you eliminate items increasing toxicity within the body, it’s important to also bolster your body’s capacity to detoxify.

Focusing on a diet rich in plant-based wholefoods (e.g. colourful vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, eggs, nuts and seeds) is ideal for supplying the body (the liver especially) with the vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that support its capacity to detoxify substances and eliminate them from the body. Natural detoxification can also be amplified by simple lifestyle measures such as dry body brushing, sweating (e.g. exercise and saunas) and ensuring adequate hydration.

Appropriate supplementation is an integral part of a clinical detox program, as targeted nutrients and herbal medicines can greatly assist and amplify your body’s detoxification capacity. Ingredients to look for include:

  • Vitamins B6, B12 and folate – required by the liver to neutralise and transform toxins in preparation for elimination;
  • Milk thistle – a herb that increases the production of the body’s primary antioxidant, glutathione, which improves the ability of the body to offset the damage caused by toxins;
  • Amino acids – liver detoxification pathways require good quality protein (which is made up of amino acids) to bind to toxins and facilitate their removal;
  • Cape jasmine – protects the liver and binds to specific gut-induced toxins, eliminating them and reducing the inflammation they can cause;
  • Glutamine and zinc – nutrients that protect and heal the lining of the gut.

As we are each unique, it’s vitally important to take a tailored approach to detoxification. Remember this when faced with a Health Food store detox-in-a-box that promises the world, but cannot take into consideration your individual health status. A Natural Healthcare Practitioner can offer a comprehensive and personalised clinical detox program for you, ensuring:

  • All aspects integral to successful detox are addressed;
  • Your goals are factored into your program; and
  • You get results!

Remember, a truly comprehensive detox will assist you to reduce you exposure to toxins, while also boosting their elimination for your body. It is this holistic combination, personalised to your needs that is the recipe for results and vitality.

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February 7, 2022 by Luke Leave a Comment

Healthy Habits For 2022

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November 1, 2021 by Luke Leave a Comment

Is the Mediterranean Diet Really Good For You – Fact or Fad?

What exactly is the Mediterranean diet?Mediterranean Diet: Complete Food List and 14-Day Meal Plan | Everyday Health

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is one of the better known and well-studied dietary patterns that has consistently been shown to have a beneficial influence on health and longevity. It is recognized by the World Health Organization as a healthy and sustainable dietary pattern and is a way of eating based on the countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. There is no unified consensus on precisely what the MD is, because diets vary between these countries and even within an individual country.  Differences in culture, ethnicity, religion, economy, and agricultural all play a role in variations on what is being consumed. However, there are some common features seen across all Mediterranean countries. Healthy fats are a mainstay of the MD, predominantly coming from olive oil, nuts, and fish (and other seafood); daily consumption of plant-derived foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes; mild to moderate amounts of dairy, poultry, and eggs; and a minimal amount of red meat is eaten. Other important elements of the MD worth noting – mild to moderate wine consumption (mostly red) and being physically active.

Healthy fats are a mainstay of the Mediterranean Diet, predominantly coming from olive oil, nuts, and fish; daily consumption of plant-derived foods and a minimal amount of red meat is eaten.

Interest in the MD began in the 1960s with the observation that there was a lower rate of cardiovascular disease in Mediterranean countries than in the United States and Europe. This observation, in addition to epidemiological and experimental studies suggesting that diets rich in whole grains, fruit and vegetables, and a lower intake of animal fat may have cardio-protective effects, led to a hypothesis that a Mediterranean dietary pattern was protective against cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since that time, a very large number of studies have reported that a higher adherence to MD may decrease CVD incidence and mortality, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infarction (MI). In addition to its cardioprotective effects, there is growing evidence that a MD can favorably impact cognitive and metabolic disorders, inflammatory parameters, and cancer incidence.

In addition to its cardioprotective effects, there is growing evidence that a Mediterranean Diet can favorably impact cognitive and metabolic disorders, inflammatory parameters, and cancer incidence.

 Can a Mediterranean diet impact your health?

In recent years, the MD has been linked to decreased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. In 2017, a systemic review examined the association between the MD and cognitive health. In this review, most of the studies that examined the effectiveness of the MD on non-communicable diseases, primarily in an older adult population, showed significant health benefits from following this type of dietary pattern. A MD was related to lower risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, mortality, and better mental health – especially in those demonstrating better adherence to the diet. Overall, subjects with a higher MD adherence score had a better nutrient profile. Countries in Europe, near the Mediterranean Sea, had an even better nutrient intake, especially for B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamins B12 and D, selenium, and iodine – most of which may play a role in improving cognitive function and lowering the risk of AD.Authors also note that the MD lowers the risk of cognitive decline by reducing the risk factors associated with CVD, with CVD itself being a known risk factor for dementia. A meta-analysis of six trials showed that the MD favorably impacted body weight, serum cholesterol, and CRP; all of which are risk factors for CVD. This supported an earlier, population-based cohort study, where it was determined that after 10 years of following the MD, participants with the highest MD adherence scores had a lower risk of developing myocardial infarction (26%) and stroke (22%). A meta-analysis of 11 studies in 2017 reached a similar conclusion in that participants with the highest MD adherence score had a significantly lower risk of developing CVD and CHD.

Increased adherence to this diet improves health outcomesMediterranean diet named best diet for 2021 - CNN

In a large review, encompassing more than 12 million individuals, authors summarized that there is a significant amount of evidence suggesting a greater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet reduces the risk of overall mortality, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, overall cancer incidence, neurodegenerative disease, and diabetes.

Of all the dietary recommendations I have made over the years, the MD dietary pattern, by far, has been the most frequently recommended. I believe one of the reasons this diet has experienced such a high level of success, favorably impacting many different health conditions, is that it is simple and straight forward. For starters, by simply minimizing basic things like sugar, processed foods, fried foods, and excessive amounts of meat, you are already headed in the right direction. Secondly, its emphasis on consuming a variety of healthy and nutritional foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans/legumes, fish/seafood, and healthy fats from olive oil, avocados, and nuts/seeds significantly enhances its appeal. And finally, especially for wine lovers, adding a glass of red wine to your dinner is “icing on the cake”.  With reasonable dietary restrictions and easy access to a wide variety of tasty foods, this dietary approach is very amenable to most, therefore dramatically increasing compliance and adherence.  The results are priceless:  a reduced risk for several chronic diseases and an overall healthier, happier lifestyle.

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Luke Clarke

Phone: (03) 8820 0010

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Ashburton VIC 3147, Australia
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