Category: Conditions

Memory loss 失忆

One reason many people suffer memory loss is due to a prolonged, insufficient supply of necessary nutrients to the brain. With age, poor circulation to the brain can also result in symptoms of poor memory, lack of concentration confusion, lack of energy and fatigue. Occasional memory lapses are normally, however, with a balanced healthy diet and lifestyle, our memories should remain active well into our nineties.

Possible signs and symptoms

Loss of memory; fatigue; lack of concentration; frequently misplacing objects; having difficulty performing a series of actions (such as cooking); unable to respond effectively to problems at home or work; changes in behaviour.

Applied nutrition

 

Kidney stones 肾结石

Kidney stones are the accumulation of solid masses of mineral salts that consists of a collection of tiny crystals. Human urine is often concentrated with uric acid, phosphates and calcium oxalate that may form the stones. Kidney stones may not produce symptoms until they begin to move down the ureter, causing pain.

Possible signs and symptoms

Pain radiating from the upper back to the lower abdomen and groin; profuse sweating; frequent urination; pus and blood in the urine; odorous or cloudy urine; occasional chills and fever; painful urination.

Applied nutrition

Insomnia 失眠

The term insomnia refers to an inability to fall asleep or to remain asleep for an adequate length of time. This may cause chronic fatigue that affects one’s life and work.

Chronic insomnia is often a symptom of a serious underlying medical disorder. Half of all insomnia cases can be attributed to stress, depression and psychological disorder.

A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium can also contribute to insomnia. Systemic disorders involving the brain, digestive system, endocrine system, heart, liver, lungs and pancreas may affect sleep, as can poor nutritional habits and eating too close to bedtime.

Sleeping pills should not be used too often as the body can become dependent on the medicine and eventually, abusers of sleeping medication can find it very difficult to stop taking the tablets. Sleeping medication can leave users feeling drowsy and lethargic in the morning.

Applied nutrition

Infertility 不育

Over the past 30 years, fertility problems have increased dramatically. At least 1 in 3 couples planning a baby will have trouble conceiving to some extent, and more and more couples are turning to fertility treatments for help.

There is now a great deal of scientific knowledge about the use of nutritional supplements and their beneficial effects on both male and female fertility. These supplements can be very effective in re-balancing one’s hormones, as well as improving one’s overall health, which is vital for successful conception and raising the family afterwards.

Scientific research has shown that certain vitamins and minerals can increase the chances of becoming and staying pregnant. Supplements are necessary because even the best diet in practice will not contain all the nutrients one needs for the best chance of conceiving.
In order to maximise your chances of conceiving, it is very important that you and your partner are in optimal health. By eliminating nutritional deficiencies and improving sperm production and mobility, the chances of getting pregnant are drastically increased.

Applied nutrition

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage

Erectile Dysfunction 勃起功能障碍

An erection problem is the persistent inability to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for a man to have sexual intercourse. While during intercourse, the erection may be lost before ejaculation.

Possible causes

An erection requires the interaction of the brain, nerves, hormones and blood vessels. Anything that interferes with the normal process can become a problem.

Common causes include:

  • diseases and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or thyroid conditions, poor circulations, low testosterone, depression, spinal cord injury, nerve damage or neurological disorders;
  • certain drugs such as blood pressure medication (especially beta blockers), heart medication, some peptic ulcer medications, sleeping pills and antidepressants; nicotine, alcohol or cocaine;
  • unrealistic sexual expectations which make sex resemble work instead of pleasure;
  • poor communications with the partner; stress, fear, anxiety or anger;
  • a “vicious cycle” of doubt, failure or negative communication that reinforces the erectile problem.

Applied nutrition

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage

High blood pressure 高血压

Blood pressure is the force applied against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force of the heart, the amount of blood pumped and the size and resistance of the arteries. The force (blood pressure) may be higher when arteries are blocked by atherosclerosis, when blood is thicker (e.g. less water content or higher salt content) or when there are abnormal hormone levels.

What do blood pressure number indicate?

Diastolic Systolic  Pulse pressure
Normal range 60-80 100-130 35-45

Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers. The top number is the maximum pressure your heart exerts while beating (systolic pressure), and the bottom number is the amount of pressure in your arteries between beats (diastolic pressure). The numeric difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure is called your pulse pressure. For example, if your resting blood pressure is 120/80 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg), your pulse pressure is 40 — which is considered a normal and healthy pulse pressure.

The pulse pressure may be abnormal even if the absolute blood pressure readings are within the ‘normal’ range.

  • If the pulse pressure is below 40, it may indicate low heart power and/or very viscous blood (which is typical for diabetes patients)
  • If the pulse pressure is above 40, it may indicate constricted arteries and atherosclerosis.

Possible signs and symptoms

Usually, no symptoms are present. Occasionally, there may be a mild headache. If, under high blood pressure, the headache is severe or symptoms below are experienced, please advise visiting the doctor immediately:。 Other symptoms include: fatigue, confusion, vision changes, crushing chest pain, heart failure, blood in urine, nosebleed, irregular heartbeat or buzzing in the ears.

Applied nutrition

Please refer to the section: applied nutrition for heart disease.

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage

Hepatitis 肝炎

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection. The liver is responsible for filtering harmful substances such as dead cells, toxins, fats and excess hormones from the bloodstream. If the liver becomes inflamed, tender and enlarged, it becomes unable to function normally.

Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs years after excessive drinking. The longer the duration of alcohol abuse, the greater the probability of developing liver disease.

Malnutrition develops as a result of the empty calories from alcohol, reduced appetite and malabsorption. Malnutrition contributes to liver disease.

Changes start within the liver as inflammation (hepatitis) progresses to fatty liver and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease. Serious complications are associated with advanced-stage disease such as alcoholic encephalipathy (damage to brain tissue) and portal hypertension (high blood pressure within the liver)

Possible signs and symptoms

Fever, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, muscle aches, joint pains, drowsiness, dark urine, abdominal discomfort and jaundice.

Applied nutrition

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage
Protein Essential amino acids help repair body tissues 1 scoop,
3x daily
Milk thistle This liver tonic aids regeneration and protects the liver against free radical damage. It stimulates the growth of new liver cells and assists in rebuilding damaged areas and improves liver function 1 tab,
2x daily
Calcium + magnesium Essential for blood-clotting, a problem for people with liver disease 3 tabs,
3x daily
Vitamin C + bioflavonoids Studies show quick improvement with high doses 5 tabs,
3x daily
Selenium E A potent antioxidant 3 tabs,
2x daily

Heart Palpitations 心悸

Palpitations are heartbeat sensations that feel like pounding or racing. You may simply have an unpleasant awareness of your own heartbeat.

Palpitations are often not serious. However, it depends on whether or not the sensations represent an abnormal heart rhythm. You are more likely to have an abnormal heart rhythm if you have: a known heart problem; material risk factors for heart disease; an abnormal heart valve; or an electrolyte deficiency, e.g. low potassium levels.

Applied nutrition

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage
Protein Essential amino acids help repair body tissues 1 scoop,
3x daily
CoQ10 Improves heart muscle oxygenation and may help prevent heart attacks and follow-on attacks 2 tabs,
2x daily
Omega 3 Important for circulation and lowering blood pressure. Protects heart muscle cells and reduces tryglyceride levels in the blood 2 tabs,
3x daily
Garlic + licorice Beneficial for the heart, promotes circulation and effective in reducing high blood pressure 2 tabs,
3x daily
B Complex Important for circulatory function and lowering blood pressure. B6 reduces water content in tissues to relieve pressure on the cardiovascular system 3 tabs,
3x daily
Calcium + magnesium Deficiencies have been linked to high blood pressure. If taking high blood pressure drugs, take extra potassium to counteract depletion of calcium. Important for maintaining proper heart rhythm and blood pressure 2 tabs,
3x daily
Vitamin C + bioflavonoids Improves adrenal function, reduces blood-clotting tendencies 3 tabs,
3x daily
Lecithin E Powerful antioxidants that improve circulation and thins the blood, reducing clotting risk. Lecithin also reduces plaque buildup in the blood vessels 3 tabs,
3x daily
Ginkgo biloba + ginseng Improves circulation 2 tabs,
2x daily
Green tea extract Lowers cholesterol and lipid levels As indicated

Atherosclerosis 动脉粥样硬化

Atherosclerosis is a common disorder of the arteries. Fat, cholesterol and other substances accumulate in the walls of the arteries and form “atheromas” or plaque. Oxidation of these substances contribute to the accumulation.

Eventually, this fatty tissue can erode the wall of the artery, diminish its elasticity and interfere with blood flow. Plaques can also rupture/break off, causing debris to migrate downstream within an artery. This is a common cause of heart attack and stroke.

Clots can also form around the plaque deposits, further interfering with blood flow and posing additional danger if they break off and travel to the heart, lungs and brain. Many doctors now suspect that people with a high inflammation risk are at risk from atherosclerosis.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis include: smoking, high blood pressure, excessive dietary fats, poor blood cholesterol levels, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and kidney disease.

Applied nutrition

See “heart attack / stroke”. The theme is to reduce inflammatory risk, increase anti-oxidative nutritional intake, reduce fat and cholesterol and slowly increase exercise levels.

Heart Disease 心脏病

A heart attack occurs when an area of heart muscle dies or is permanently damaged because of inadequate oxygen supply.

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted and brain tissue dies. Victims can suffer from lifelong disabilities, speech difficulties, paralysis and even death.

Possible causes

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries (blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart muscle). The clot usually forms in a coronary artery that has been narrowed due to atherosclerosis (inflammation and/or cholesterol buildup).

A clot in the coronary artery interrupts the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle, leading to the death of heart cells in that area. The damaged heart muscle loses its ability to contract and the remaining heart muscle needs to work hard to compensate for that weakened area. This overwhelming stress can trigger a heart attack.

Risk factors for coronary artery disease and heart attack include: smoking, high blood pressure, excessive dietary fats, poor blood cholesterol levels, diabetes, being male, being over 40 and heredity.

In many cases, the pain may be subtle or even completely absent (silent heart attack), especially in the elderly and those with diabetes. Often the pain radiates from the chest to the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, abdomen and back.

The pain typically lasts for over 20 minutes and is not fully relieved by rest. Other symptoms include: shortness of breath; coughing; dizziness; fainting; nausea/vomiting; sweating; and a feeling of impending doom.

Applied nutrition

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage
Protein Essential amino acids help repair body tissues 1 scoop,
3x daily
CoQ10 Improves heart muscle oxygenation and ,may help prevent heart attacks and follow-on attacks 2 tabs,
2x daily
Omega 3 Important for circulation and lowering blood pressure. Protects heart muscle cells and reduces tryglyceride levels in the blood 2 tabs,
3x daily
Garlic + licorice Beneficial for the heart, promotes circulation and effective in reducing high blood pressure 2 tabs,
3x daily
B Complex Important for circulatory function and lowering blood pressure. B6 reduces water content in tissues to relieve pressure on the cardiovascular system 3 tabs,
3x daily
Calcium + magnesium Deficiencies have been linked to high blood pressure. If taking high blood pressure drugs, take extra potassium to counteract depletion of calcium. Important for maintaining proper heart rhythm and blood pressure 2 tabs,
3x daily
Vitamin C + bioflavonoids Improves adrenal function, reduces blood-clotting tendencies 3 tabs,
3x daily
Lecithin E Powerful antioxidants that improve circulation and thins the blood, reducing clotting risk. Lecithin also reduces plaque buildup in the blood vessels 3 tabs,
3x daily
Ginkgo biloba + ginseng Improves circulation 2 tabs,
2x daily
Green tea extract Lowers cholesterol and lipid levels As indicated