The Autoimmune RESET

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In today's Friday 5, I am sharing my five favourite sleep aids which have helped me improve my sleep quality.

Highlights from today's episode include:

• How using an oura ring can improve sleep quality.
• The benefits of a weighted blanket for stress relief and sleep.
• How blue-light blocking glasses can help set a healthy circadian rhythm. 
• Ways to decrease racing thoughts with a worry journal.
• How magnesium can help with calmness and sleep.

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

You can join The Sugar RESET Challenge here.

You can also download a free copy of The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan here.

Book your free discovery call with me here.

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community. 

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmunity Community on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmunity Community on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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Guest Zuleika Sassa shares her experience of overcoming the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis with movement and diet.

 Zuleika runs a health and wellness business called Sassafit.  Zuleika specialises in helping women with autoimmunity issues, bone health, perimenopause and menopause Health.

After being diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at 13 years old, Zuleika was told not to do sports, and there was not much information to support her condition at the time.  Luckily, Zuleika's family had ideas based on Ayurvedic medicine and their knowledge of movement and martial arts. 

Zuleika's lifetime of training and nutrition has taken her to practice sports for a living and teach women and girls how to become stronger.  Zuleika has trained in nutrition and personal training (levels 2 and 3), is also a black belt in martial arts and has achieved medals for Marathons to Tough Mudders, which was all over 40 years old with Arthritis.  

Zuleika's aim is to help women, encourage them to asses their health patterns and watch them regain their health and mindset.   

Zuleika is doing an inspirational and educational session in the Energise week of The Complete Autoimmune RESET, as well as a week of training sessions. You can join The Complete Autoimmune RESET on 22 February, starting on 8 March 2023. 

Highlights from today's episode include:

• How Zueika was able to overcome her symptoms of arthritis as a teenager with nutrient-dense foods and movement.
• The importance of staying on track and Zuleika's return to health after not focusing on her health in her 20s. 
• The effect of weight gain on arthritis and why movement is key to maintaining a healthy weight. 
• Why cooking from scratch can be so beneficial for your health. 
• The power of strength training and working on your core for optimal health and fitness. 
• How to maintain health after 40 with simple exercises and movement. 

You can read my latest article, Is healthy eating enough to recover from autoimmune disease?

Would you like to learn more about The Complete Autoimmune RESET? Email me: [email protected]

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

You can also download a free copy of The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan here.

Book your free discovery call with me here.

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community. 

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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In today's Friday 5, I would like to share information about 5 common skin and hair autoimmune conditions and potential natural interventions based on the scientific literature for you to explore.

Highlight's from today's episode include:

• Alopecia areata and the association with zinc deficiency.
• Psoriasis and its link to streptococcus and staphylococcus. 
• Vitiligo and oxidative stress.
• Scleroderma and it's link to microbes. 
• Lichen Planus and taking a functional medicine approach. 

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

You can also download a free copy of The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan here.

Book your free discovery call with me here.

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community. 

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmunity Community on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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Did you know that there are now over 80 different types of autoimmune diseases that impact multiple organs, tissues, cells and compounds such as enzymes in the body? An autoimmune disease occurs when your body’s own immune system starts to attack itself, and as a result of this attack, it causes damage to the body leading to disease.

Classifying different autoimmune diseases is no mean feat and requires scrutiny of your symptoms, biochemistry and whether the condition is organ-specific and systemic. And that is why many conditions that we don’t class as autoimmune in nature could, in fact, have an element of autoimmunity. 

One such condition is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which I repeatedly see in my clinical practice with my clients living with autoimmune diseases. This led me to investigate some similarities between these conditions and even to question, is PCOS an autoimmune disease?

In this episode we will explore the link between autoimmune disease and PCOS and how addressing the root cause may help with symptoms of both conditions. 

Highlight's from today's episode include:

• What is PCOS?
• Autoantibodies and how they affect your body. 
• Insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation in PCOS and autoimmune disease.
• Chronic inflammation in autoimmune disease and PCOS.
• Do you think PCOS is an autoimmune disease?

 
You can also read my article, 'Is polycystic ovarian syndrome an autoimmune disease?'

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

You can also download a free copy of The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan here.

Book your free discovery call with me here.

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community. 

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmunity Community on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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Are you experiencing bloating, pain and unpredictable bowel habits? If so, it might result from a condition known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). 

IBO is a complex condition but many of the symptoms result from friendly gut bacteria - which are (in most instances) beneficial for your digestive system - not moving from the small intestine to lower down the digestive tract in the colon.

Our old friends the healthy bacteria give off gases as they ferment the food we eat and, as a result, you end up with that uncomfortable bloating after eating and having to move your belt buckle down a notch!

So, how is SIBO related to autoimmune disease, you may ask? The relationship between SIBO and autoimmune disease is what I will be explaining to you today. Not all SIBO is caused by autoimmune disease but if you are experiencing gut symptoms and are struggling to find the root cause, listen up, as this might be the answer you were looking for all along.

Highlight's from today's episode include:

• What causes SIBO?
• How dysbiosis of the gut microbiome can cause systemic inflammation. 
• How to improve digestive function by enhancing the migrating motor complex. 
• How an autoimmune response can cause SIBO. 
• What functional tests can help determine the root cause of SIBO. 

 
You can also read my article, 'Did you know that SIBO is an autoimmune disease?'

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

You can also download a free copy of The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan here.

Book your free discovery call with me here.

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community. 

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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Daily exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is virtually unavoidable. Most 85,000 chemicals registered for production under the Toxic Substances Control Act were grandfathered in with little or no health and safety testing.

Medical conditions linked to toxic chemicals include obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancers, and multisystem complaints such as fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivity, as well as autoimmune disease.

Toxins are inevitable in your everyday life, putting your detoxification pathways under pressure. Your liver, kidneys, large intestine, lymphatic system, and sweat glands work together to reduce the buildup of these chemicals through detoxification. 

Of these organ systems, the liver plays one of the largest roles. The liver performs hundreds of functions and is needed to process nutrients and hormones, as well as remove waste products created as the result of normal body functions.

However,  there are ways that you can reduce your toxic exposure to lessen the burden on your system.

In today's Friday 5, I would like to share with you five ways to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.

Highlight's from today's episode include:

• Ways to reduce toxicity in the food you eat.  
• The best non-toxic cookware.
• The effect of plastics on your hormones. 
• Ways to improve the air you breathe. 
• What chemicals to look out for in your personal care products? 
• How to purify your water and reduce plastic exposure.  

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

You can also download a free copy of The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan here.

Book your free discovery call with me here.

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community. 

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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Guest Marjorie Grice shares her experience overcoming the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and perimenopause. 

Marjorie is a menopause and hormone expert and has her own inspirational story of overcoming autoimmune disease. I can't wait to hear more about this and her advice on diet and lifestyle changes to help balance hormones. 

Marjorie is doing an inspirational and educational session in the Stabilise week of The Complete Autoimmune RESET, which will start on 3 March 2023. 

Highlight's from today's episode include:

• How Marjorie developed an autoimmune disease and the steps she took to reverse the symptoms. 
• Marjorie's experience in the beauty industry and what led her to become a nutritionist. 
• Symptoms of perimenopause and how this can be mistaken for autoimmune symptoms. 
• How hormone imbalance can relate to type and quantity of the hormones involved and how in harmony they are with each other.
• The role of stress in hormone health and how mindful activities such as Qigong can help to improve stress resilience. 

You can read my article, what is the link between hormones and autoimmune disease to find out more. 

Would you like to learn more about The Complete Autoimmune RESET? Email me: [email protected]

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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You may be starting the year with an intention to eat healthily, which is an excellent focus for the year ahead, but did you know the research suggests that roughly 80% of people who start a healthy diet regime and lose weight will not maintain that weight loss for over 12 months?

And the same applies to those who adopt a healthy eating plan to reduce inflammatory symptoms. It isn’t sustainable long term if not approached in the right way.

In my clinic, the most common reason I see my clients struggling to follow a healthy eating plan is an emotional one, as it is easier to avoid processing emotions you are uncomfortable with. Food is often used as an effective distraction. 

So rather than diving feet first into a new healthy eating plan, why not set some solid emotional foundations to rebuild by taking the steps I will explain in this episode? 

In today's Friday 5, I would like to share with you five ways to ensure health success in 2023. 

Highlight's from today's episode include:

• Why knowing your why is a vital first step in health transformation. 
• Establish your core values to ensure you live a life aligned with your path. 
• Create healthy habits which make a living a healthy life automatically. 
• Do more of what you love in life to feel better and have more self-worth. 
• Practice gratitude for living in an optimistic mindset for the majority of the time. 

Find out more in my recent article, happiness and healthy eating.

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

You can also download a free copy of The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan here.

Book your free discovery call with me here.

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community. 

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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Have you ever experienced symptoms of Raynaud's disease?

Most commonly, Raynaud's affects your hands and feet, causing fingers and toes to turn white and numb due to blood vessels reacting to the cold or stress and reducing blood flow.

When the circulation returns, it is common to feel a tingling sensation or pain in the affected area.

So what causes it, and how can you manage the condition naturally?

As a functional nutritionist, I always look beyond the symptoms and try to determine what the root cause of a condition might be. As Raynaud's is a condition that affects the blood vessels, the root cause of Raynaud's disease could relate to many factors, but a few obvious ones to investigate are blood sugar dysregulation, heavy metal toxicity and maladaptive stress response.

Blood vessel spasms can also result from stress, grief and emotional trauma, which may require emotionally-focused therapies to improve symptoms.

In today's Friday 5, I would like to share with you five potential causes of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Highlight's from today's episode include:

• How blood sugar dysregulation can contribute to Raynaud's.
• Why Raynaud's might run in your family.
• The link between food sensitivities and Raynaud's.
• Why the health of your cells is a factor in Raynaud's disease. 
• How a maladaptive stress response can develop into Raynaud's.

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

You can also download a free copy of The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan here.

Book your free discovery call with me here.

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community. 

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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Guest Divya Dhawan shares her experience of overcoming the symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome.

Divya Dhawan is a Board Certified IIN health coach with a life sciences and education background. She is extremely passionate about finding and spreading the awareness of healing(possibility) for Sjogren’s syndrome and getting good health in general after Sjogren’s diagnosis brought her life to a standstill. Like all other people with Autoimmune disorders, she was told that there’s no cure for Sjogren’s and that only management is possible. Her positive outlook and resilient nature came in handy at this point.  

Divya successfully put herself into remission thereafter and has stayed there for almost 9 years. 

Divya has been working as a health coach for over 2 years, helping women and men with Sjogren’s syndrome, tap into their healing potential through an empowered mindset, using food as medicine, removing toxic products (and emotions) from their life, learning to manage stress better and much more in her “SHINE WITH SJOGREN’S FORMULA", health coaching program.  

Divya believes that healing can be achieved with the right knowledge and support. Making your health a priority is the first step, and connecting with me is the second!

Divya is doing an inspirational and educational session in the Thrive week of The Complete Autoimmune RESET, which will be available to join in the new year.

Highlight's from today's episode include:

• How Divya developed an autoimmune disease and the steps she took to reverse the symptoms. 
• The importance of addressing gut health in autoimmune disease. 
• The effect of stress in autoimmune disease. 
• Gluten intolerance can be as much about glyphosate and pesticide toxicity as the grain itself. 
• Why variety in your diet is vital for gut health.

You can read my latest article, Is healthy eating enough to recover from autoimmune disease?

Would you like to learn more about The Complete Autoimmune RESET? Email me: [email protected]

Tune in today and be sure to share any of your thoughts about the show on my Instagram page: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

And if you would like to join my community of strong-willed people thriving with autoimmune disease, join The Autoimmunity Community.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.