103 Pt Chevalier Rd
Holistic Medical Centre Pt Chevalier
Ph 09 815 0567
Dr Helen Smith, Dr Jackie Mills, Dr Fiona Gordon,
Dr Glenn Twentyman
Naturopaths: Rebecca Jones & Nelly Graham-Stewart February 2007
www.holisticmedicalcentre.co.nz
Our favourite quote
What does metabolic rate mean? Angels can fly because they
There is a lot of information tion and thinning hair. bolic rate for other reasons.
take themselves lightly
out there about thyroid, meta- These symptoms MAY be There are many other fac-
due to an under active thy- tors involved with efficient Gilbert Keith Chesterton
bolic rate and weight loss or
weight gain. We often get roid but anything that slows metabolism apart from Health tips
asked about this so we thought down metabolism (the thyroid as some of you
we would explain it in a way Krebs Cycle) can cause already realise. There are As mentioned below soy can be
that is easy to understand. In these symptoms. In previous many nutrients required in significant with urinary symptoms
all the cells in your body you newsletters we have dis- the Krebs Cycle. All the B but we have also found probiotics
have what can best be de- cussed thyroid function; but vitamins are needed, espe- very useful when there has been a
scribed as a microscopic en- here is a quick recap. The cially B2 and B3 as well as significant history of antibiotics
gine called a mitochondria. main thing to note is that the zinc and magnesium. Co without ever having replaced the
The function of this engine is thyroid function is generally enzyme Q 10 is essential beneficial bacteria. It is very
to burn fuel and produce en- monitored with a blood test and improves energy pro- worthwhile trying this if you fit
ergy that your body can use. to measure Thyroid Stimu- duction. This is high in this description. There is also a
There are several steps in- lating Hormone (TSH). The sardines and mackerel but hormone called Anti-diuretic hor-
volved in this cycle of fuel normal clinical range for is also made in the body mone (Vasopressin). Low levels
consumption and energy pro- this hormone is 0.4 - 4. We with the B vitamins. Vita- of this hormone cause excess uri-
duction and this cycle is called consider IDEAL thyroid min K is also an important nation (Severe deficiency = Dia-
the Krebs Cycle. The rate that function to yield a TSH re- nutrient (rich in Kale) that betes Insipidus). This hormone is
this happens at is called the sult of 2.0 or less. We know can also be made in the made from amino acids and we
metabolic rate. The Krebs many of you come to us in bowel with beneficial bac- have had good success at improv-
Cycle generates heat and this utter frustration because you teria (see last newsletter on ing excess urination with supple-
is why basal body temperature feel that you have the exact probiotics). Alpha Lipoic mental L-Phenylalanine or Amino
is associated with metabolic symptoms of under active Acid is also essential which acid powder. Spirulina is high in
rate. The thyroid gland sets thyroid but all your blood is made in the body from B the important amino acids
the rate at which this happens tests keep coming back with vitamins and also available
with the hormone called thy- a normal thyroid result. as a supplement. For those Happy Patient File
roxine. You could think of the Some people have decided with fatigue we add an We just spoke to the mum of a 5
thyroid as the drummer that to take whole thyroid when autoantibody screen to the year old boy this morning and she
they discover that they have blood test. This means we last visited us with him in Septem-
sets the pace. If the thyroid
ber last year. He had urinary fre-
gland is under active, this a low basal body tempera- are looking to see if the
quency (about 20 times a day) and
means there is not enough ture. We have found that immune system is interfer- no sign of a urinary tract infection.
thyroxine. This will cause the those who elect to do this ing with normal cells. We We suggested he stopped soymilk,
metabolic rate to slow down when thyroid function is often find that there is low soy flour and soy protein (he was
and the common signs of un- normal can develop feelings level of autoimmune activ- drinking lots of soymilk) as we
der active thyroid begin to of anxiety with a racing ity which interferes with have noticed that this can be a uri-
appear. The signs and symp- heart but the fatigue is unre- the Krebs Cycle and will nary irritant in some people. She
toms of an under active thy- lenting. Take heart, your contribute to fatigue. If told us this morning that she had
thyroid may be fine but you there are positive autoanti- done just this and was very happy
roid (slow metabolic rate) are
with the results and grateful for this
weight gain, low basal body still may have a slow meta- body results then we ad-
simple piece of advice.
temperature, fatigue, constipa- dress this separately.
Wounds
Some of you may have heard some dressings where appropri- Recently we had the good useful in the first aid kit de-
about the marvelous healing ate. This would be a good thing fortune to try some Apinate pending on how prone your
ability of Manuka honey espe- for you to keep in your first aid (TM) dressing from Comvita. family is to acquiring burns
cially for non-healing ulcers kits for dressing wounds or This is an alginate (seaweed) and wounds.
and burns. If you haven't you burns. It is a remarkable anti- sterile dressing which is in- An update to our last newslet-
may wish to take a look at the bacterial and promotes healing fused with Active UMF ® ter: Dr Leigh Sindelman will
following website http:// of tissue. There are some re- Manuka Honey. A ready-to- not be joining the practice due
bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/ markable photos available use sterile dressing that is to changes in her personal
special.shtml. At the clinic we online to demonstrate its use in particularly effective for ‘wet’ circumstances. We wish her
use a sterile active Manuka non-healing diabetic ulcers. wounds. This could also be well in her future endeavors.
honey for wound care under