Struggling with a nasty virus is a battle that no one wants to fight. Luckily, most infections will run their course, and after a week or two, you will start to feel better. However, some infections that don’t always play by this rule, one such example is glandular fever (aka infectious mononucleosis), which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

You or someone you know has likely dealt with a bout of glandular fever; it’s commonly seen in young adults, lasts at least four to six weeks, and causes symptoms such as fatigue, swollen glands, fever, extreme tiredness and aching muscles.

In some cases, symptoms can linger for weeks or even months after the infection has passed; leading to a condition known as ‘post-viral fatigue’. Glandular fever can take a bigger toll on your body than other viruses because it overwhelms your immune system by making itself tricky to eradicate, making recovery so much slower. To combat this, natural medicine can help to shorten your recovery time and lead you back to full health.

You or someone you know has likely dealt with a bout of glandular fever; it’s commonly seen in young adults, lasts at least four to six weeks, and causes symptoms such as fatigue, swollen glands, fever, extreme tiredness and aching muscles.

1. Boost your immunity with AHCC™

The thing that makes EBV so difficult to beat is that it envelops itself inside a shell made of proteins (known as a capsid), which makes it hard for your immune cells to access the virus and attack it. Whilst your immune system is breaking down the capsid, the virus works quickly to replicate itself so that it can infect more of your cells. This puts a lot of pressure on your immune system to control the spread of the virus.

Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC™), a compound sourced from shiitake mushrooms, has been shown to improve your ability to eliminate EBV by increasing your immune system’s antiviral activity. In fact, AHCC™ helps outsmart EBV by increasing your immune system’s production of powerful anti-viral proteins, which improves your ability to eliminate viral infections. These proteins can block the mechanisms that the virus uses to infect your cells, weakening the tactics it uses to overpower you.

2. Take Time to Convalesce

Although your doctor advised you to take it easy, it can be hard to stay still when the rest of the world isn’t slowing down. However, nothing is more important than allowing yourself time to convalesce, which means fully recovering before you ease back in to your regular routine. Without it, your immune system can suffer, and this leads to a longer recovery time.

Taking the time to rest can mean many things, including:

• Taking time off work or school wherever possible;
• Building relaxation into your schedule;
• Setting boundaries and avoiding over-extending yourself; and
• Achieving between seven and eight hours of sleep per night, getting to bed by 10 pm at the latest.

Try making these pointers daily goals, so that you can properly convalesce and move forward in your healing journey.

Nothing is more important than allowing yourself time to convalesce, which means fully recovering before you ease back in to your regular routine.

 3. Nourish Yourself

Nutrition, fresh air, water, and exercise are the fuel that keeps every cell in your body thriving and healing. As such, when recovering from infection, it is important to nourish yourself by:

• Maintaining a diet abundant in fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods to provide the nutritional resources for your body to heal;
• Consuming hearty meals such as slow-cooked dishes that are nutritious and easy to digest;
• Maintaining light exercise levels, such as walking and stretching;
• Keeping warm, as this will save your energy for healing, rather than maintaining your body temperature;
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption; and
• Boosting your immune-enhancing nutrients that help you to fend off other nasty infections, including zinc and vitamin C.

To learn more about the nourishing habits to help you find your fire again, speak to a natural health Practitioner.

4. Mind your Mental Health

Putting your life on hold to recover can feel incredibly disheartening sometimes, which is why it’s important to manage your mental wellbeing on your healing journey.

Low moods can cause you to think negatively about your recovery (e.g. that you will be ill indefinitely), and research has shown that this can predict a longer recovery time (i.e. fatigue lasting more than six months). As such, breaking the cycle of low moods can help to limit your symptoms from lingering.

Being aware of your thoughts is the first step to acknowledging their influence on your health, and accepting your feelings is part of the recovery process. On top of this, there are a number of other ways to support your mental wellbeing, including:

• Proactively managing your stress levels (ensuring they remain as low as possible) by identifying and doing what you can to resolve stressful situations (e.g. delegating tasks to other household members); and
• Engaging in gentle exercise to boost brain chemicals that enhance mood and even improve self-esteem.

If the stress of being unwell feels like it’s getting too much, consider making an appointment with a counsellor or psychologist to talk through your emotions and fears related to your health. On top of this, working with a Naturopath who can also prescribe herbal or nutritional formulas to enhance your mood can also assist and promote your recovery; supporting you to feel mentally stronger and more resilient.

Being Proactive in the Face of Glandular Fever  

Start by taking proactive steps with the aid of a Naturopath who can tailor a treatment plan, which may include AHCC™ and other immune-supporting supplements, to meet your needs. Your Practitioner can also encourage your convalescence, reinforce nourishing habits and support your mental health. In time, your inner spark and energy levels will return, allowing you to step into a healthier future free from EBV.   

The Wellbeing Institute is Closing, .. but it’s business as usual for Luke.

Sadly, the Wellbeing Institute is closing its doors at the end of September 2020, however it is business as usual for Luke Clarke Functional Medicine.

At this stage, I do not have a physical clinic to relocate to due to the current pandemic restrictions, however I will be offering my full health services via Zoom, Skype or Phone as I have done since the start of the pandemic..

These online platforms allow me to offer comprehensive health assessments and ongoing treatment support including any pathology testing that may be required.

New phone number for inquires, appointments and product orders is (03) 8820 0010

For all inquires, questions, product orders, appointments or even a chat, please ring this new number.. We will do our best to take your call in a timely manner.

Alternatively, please feel free to contact me via email on info@lukeclarke.com.au

New online booking system from my website www.lukeclarke.com.au

Appointments can also be made directly via my website www.lukeclarke.com.au. It’s easy to follow and integrates with my appointment calendar.. please call if you have any questions.

Flat postal rate of $10 for all product orders via Australia Express Post

All product requirements and orders will be posted at a flat rate of $10 via Australia Post..

Thank you for your ongoing support during this time of change

If I can be of support with your health or if you have any questions, please reach out.

Kind regards

Luke Clarke: Naturopath: Functional Medicine Practitioner

www.lukeclarke.com.au info@lukeclarke.com.au (03) 8820 0010

Under new stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne, allied health services remain available via virtual consultations , but face- to- face care is limited.

So while face to face consultations are limited to critical care, I still offer my full health services via Zoom, Skype or Phone as I have done since the start of the pandemic..

These online platforms still allow me to offer comprehensive health assessments and ongoing treatment support including any pathology testing that may be required.

Flat Postal Rate of $10 for all Product Orders via Australia Express Post

Given the travel restrictions to 5km radius, all product requirements and orders can be posted at a flat rate of $10 via Australia Post..Please contact the clinic to place your order.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Kind regards

Luke Clarke: Wellbeing Institute

Naturopath: Functional Medicine Practitioner

 

As the effects of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continue to impact the lives of us all, we want to update you on what we are doing to support you, your health and safety during this difficult time.

Our clinic is following Australian Health Department Guidelines and continues to run as close to normal as possible.

We are classified as Medical and Allied health Services and under the new stage 4 restrictions permitted to continue to provide the health services we offer..

Phone or Zoom/Skype Consultations

We offer as usual a full in house clinic service at 1 Ward street Ashburton, however if you prefer we also offer Phone and Skype/Zoom consultations.

So, yes we are open to take care of your health needs with normal clinic hours, not only with existing health concerns, but with advice on how best support your immune system during this Pandemic.

Evidence of Appointment

If you plan an in clinic appointment, please bring the text message reminder with you. This will provide the evidence of your appointment if questioned.

Waiting Room

We have always done our best to limit your time in the waiting room. We may ask you to wait in your car if anyone else is waiting. Please come into the clinic by yourself, unless you are under the age of 18 or have a disability and need assistance.

Products

We also offer postal delivery services of products via Australia Express Post. You are also welcome to pick up health products from the clinic.. please ring the order through beforehand and we can have the order waiting for pick up. We are well prepared and well stocked. 

Self Care

This is a stressful time for everyone. Many stress releasing activities such as social gatherings, hobbies, gyms, concerts are temporarily closed. Do what you can to connect with friends and relatives via phone and social media.

Make time for walking in the fresh air, meditation, catching up on reading or other projects that have been put on hold.

I also feel strongly that nutrition plays a big role in not only immune health but in health generally. Maintaining good routines with exercise, sleep, fresh clean meals and appropriate targeted nutrients will go a long way in ensuring we all meet this challenge as best we can. Nutrients like Vit C, D and Zinc along with immune boosting herbs have a big role to play here.

Thank you for your support as we work to protect the health and safety of our patients, staff and visitors.

Kind regards

Luke Clarke: – ND, ANTA, Wellbeing Institute of Australia

Are you part of the 38% of the world’s population that is affected by chronic pain? If so, you know firsthand how it can reduce your quality of life, and take a detrimental toll on your physical and emotional health. If you’re at the point of feeling like you’ve tried everything, read on to learn about a compound that may be the pain-reliving answer you’ve been searching for. But first, let’s take a look at how chronic pain develops in the first place.

When tissues become injured or damaged, which occurs in fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuropathy, musculoskeletal disorders (and many more conditions), there are a multitude of systems, cells and chemical messengers that coordinate to create inflammation and the sensation of pain at the site of injury. In the ideal scenario, once the tissue is repaired, an orchestra of cells and compounds also work to slow and eventually turn off these responses, returning the body to normal. Unfortunately, when the body cannot resolve this tissue damage, turn off this inflammatory response, or reduce the amount of pain signals produced, chronic pain develops.

The Power of PEA

The powerful compound that works to reduce inflammation and pain, which I hinted at above, is called palmitoylethanolamide, or, PEA. Have you heard of it before? 

If not, PEA is a natural, fat-soluble molecule produced by humans, animals and plants, and can be found in foods such as meat, eggs, soy and peanuts. It is produced on demand when pain or inflammation are created within your body, acting to reduce their levels and helps to bring your body back into balance (homeostasis).

PEA is a natural, fat-soluble molecule produced by humans, animals and plants, and can be found in foods such as meat, eggs, soy and peanuts.

It does this by supporting a system you also may not have heard of before, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is made up of compounds and receptors that predominantly work on your brain, spine and immune system, communicating with them to reduce the sensation of pain and the production of inflammatory cells.

Specifically, PEA works to stimulate or increase the activity of the ECS, spurring it on when there is this pain to relieve or inflammation to dampen. However, if the pain or inflammation becomes chronic, PEA levels can become depleted, restricting the benefits it can provide.

For this reason, people with chronic pain may choose to supplement with PEA, to make up for what their body is struggling to produce. Being that PEA can already be made by your body, it is considered very safe to take, and has been shown in numerous clinical trials to assist a broad variety of pain-related conditions at several different doses.

What the Research Says

PEA has demonstrated its pain-relieving effects in the following conditions:

• Fibromyalgia (FM): 35 patients with FM, already taking pain medications, took 600 mg/d of PEA for 12 weeks. Results showed PEA reduced their overall pain. The average number of painful body points also decreased from eight to one.
• Osteoarthritis (OA): 111 people with mild or moderate knee OA received 600 mg/d of PEA for 8 weeks, and at the end of the trial, their knee pain and stiffness reduced by 53.7%, compared to 25% in the placebo group.
• Diabetic neuropathy: A 600 mg/d dose of PEA across 8 weeks reduced the intensity and presence of pain, pins and needles, burning and numbness in 30 people with diabetic neuropathy.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): 50 patients took 1,200 mg/d of PEA for 8 weeks, experiencing a decrease in the pain intensity of their CTS, compared to people who didn’t take PEA, whose pain actually increased.
• Sciatica: 636 sciatica participants who were prescribed 600 mg/d of PEA for 21 days reported their pain reduced and quality of life improved.

A 600 mg/d dose of PEA across 8 weeks reduced the intensity and presence of pain, pins and needles, burning and numbness in 30 people with diabetic neuropathy.

PEA: The Missing Puzzle Piece?

If you’re suffering from chronic pain, PEA could be the missing puzzle piece in your pain management plan.

Whilst PEA does not carry with it many interactions with medications, I always recommend discussing your unique case with a healthcare Practitioner, to ensure PEA is appropriate for you. Further, as PEA is fat soluble, it’s also important you’re prescribed a type of supplemental PEA that enables it to become more water soluble, so your digestive system (which is also water-soluble), can absorb it properly.

Having seen PEA’s wonderful benefits in patients with conditions such as those we’ve been through above, I’d suggest to give it a go to see the pain relief you could experience too!