How To Protect Yourself From Disease And Cancer

Did you know around 95% of cancer and chronic disease is preventable?

Only a very small percentage can be blamed solely on genetics!  Even if you have a genetic susceptibility to certain disease or cancer, it's your daily habits that 'turns these genes on' or keep them at bay - this is known as epigenetics.  Cancer and most other disease develops over years - you don't just 'get' cancer overnight.  Just like a plant needs the right environment to thrive, so do we! 

Your body is amazing at putting up with small daily assaults but eventually symptoms and disease will appear.   These assaults affect your body at a cellular level first and then progress to tissue and organ damage.  It's this accumulative effect of small daily factors that can be empowering to understand and can be used to promote health and reduce your disease risk.  

Here's a summary of the top 5 areas that can significantly reduce your risk of disease and cancer - there's a printable summary at the end.

CHEMICALS

We are now exposed to thousands of chemicals everyday and while it's hard to avoid them completely there's lots you can do to reduce your exposure.  Many chemicals are classified as 'safe' in small doses, but the accumulative effect and the exposure to many chemicals together have not been proved as safe.  We are exposed to chemicals through the air we breathe, the products we put on our skin and the food or drink we ingest.  

Women in particular are exposed to more of these toxic chemicals through personal/skin/body care products, fragrances, makeup, cleaning products and plastics.  Many of these chemicals have been shown to increase cancer risk and disrupt hormone balance - another factor in cancer risk such as breast and ovarian cancers.  

Another type of chemical exposure is EMF's (electromagnetic fields) from Wi-Fi devices and cell towers.  These have been shown to disrupt normal cell functioning, hormone levels and increase the risk of certain cancers such as brain tumours.  Keeping phones in your pocket or down your sports bra is putting that EMF in close proximity to your vital organs.  

STRESS AND SEDENTARY LIFESTYLES

While cortisol and stress in small amounts are beneficial, prolonged and ongoing stress is super damaging to your body and is a huge factor in disease risk.  Stress has negative impacts on hormone balance, increases blood sugar, oxidative stress and inflammation - all underlying factors that can increase disease and cancer risk.  Your digestive and immune systems are integral to your overall health and disease risk, and these are significantly impaired by any type of physical or emotional stress.  One of your immune systems most important roles is to destroy damaged or potential cancer cells, before they become a problem.

Having a sedentary lifestyle is now being recognised as the new 'smoking' due to its huge health implications.  Our bodies are designed to move and require this for optimal health - it enhances blood circulation to carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells, helps your body eliminate wastes, slows ageing, boosts cognition and energy.  It has been shown to reduce disease risk and is a major determinant in physical and mental health.  Gentle exercise is recommended if you are stressed as intense exercise can be another type of stress on an already stressed body!  Take notice of how different activities make you feel - exercise and movement should energise you, not exhaust you!

HORMONAL IMBALANCES AND WEIGHT

Keeping our hormones in a happy balance is essential for health.  Excess estrogen in relation to progesterone levels is a risk factor for certain cancers such as breast and ovarian.  Like cancer, hormonal imbalances develop over time and many of the suggestions here can also be used to support hormone balance.  Using the OCP (oral contraceptive pill) or Mirena may also contribute to hormonal imbalances as they inhibit ovulation and therefore you ability to produce progesterone.

An increase in weight and increased insulin levels are also associated with an increased risk of disease.  An increased number of fat cells can also contribute to increased estrogen levels.  These areas can also be improved by following the suggestions in this article - particularly reducing stress, sugars ad refined flour products. 

Ensuring adequate quality sleep is vital for your body to rest, recover and recharge.  Poor sleep  and insomnia have been associated with an increased risk of disease.  It's so important for your nervous system and hormones to have this rest each night, so work on improving your sleep and getting to bed before 10pm!  

VITAMIN D AND CHOLESTEROL

Vitamin D is a hormone that plays a huge role in our immune system and low levels have been associated with an increased risk of disease and cancer, especially skin cancer, melanoma and colon cancer.  Unfortunately many of us have low levels of vitamin D due to our avoidance of the sun, which is needed for our body to make vitamin D.  This is one blood test I do with every client as it's so important for disease risk but also calcium absorption, mental and hormonal health.  While the test range suggest having a level of 50nmol/L is enough, ideally you want to aim for at least 100-120nmol/L for optimal health.

Cholesterol has been given lots of bad press but it's actually an antioxidant and has protective effects!  Studies show that those with the lowest levels have the greater risk of disease.  If you're concerned about your cholesterol levels it can be more accurate to look at the total:HDL ratio (ideal <3.5) and triglycerides (ideal <1mmol/L) to assess your cardiovascular disease risk.

WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH

Your daily food choices have a huge influence on your current and future health.  Your diet provides your body with the essential nutrients it needs to function optimally, or to encourage disease to develop.  Again this effect is cumulative - it really is about the small things you do most of the time that will determine your level of health or disease.  The more whole unprocessed spray-free foods you can consume the better - including a variety of vegetables, quality protein and unprocessed fats.

Adding herbs and spices liberally is also a great way to boost the health promoting effects of your food, as these contain many disease fighting phytochemicals.  Turmeric is one of the most researched and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumour and anti-proliferative effects.

Your digestive system is the basis of optimal health as are the bacteria that live there, and all over your body.  We are actually more bacteria than human cells, and we're learning more everyday about just how big an influence this balance of bacteria has on our health and disease risk.  Many things can disrupt these bacteria over time such as antibiotics, anti-bacterial products, stress, pesticides, chlorine in tap water, alcohol and sugar.  Alcohol has also been linked to an increased risk of cancers such as colon, breast and liver.

I've tried to keep this article simple and not too long, but there's much more information out there if you're interested in finding out more!  You can download my health promoting checklist  here.

If you'd like to find out where your health is at I'd love to help you.

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.

Endometriosis Treatment

If you've been diagnosed with Endometriosis or experience painful periods you can find relief with the right treatment!  An imbalance in hormones, immunity and inflammation are all possible contributors to the painful symptoms, and fortunately there are natural treatments that can improve these underlying imbalances and your symptoms.  

If you have been prescribed the Pill or Mirena for period pain, unfortunately these will not be resolving the underlying issues.  While they have a place in the short term and can help reduce pain, using other tools to resolve the underlying imbalances will offer you true long term relief from pain.

Here are my top three pointers for addressing Endometriosis - 

AUTO-IMMUNITY

Research indicates that Endometriosis may be an auto-immune condition, and if so this changes the treatment approach to rebalancing a haywire immune system rather than just looking at hormone levels.  A huge part of our immune system resides in our digestive tract, in particular our gut bacteria and the integrity or strength of our gut lining.  In auto-immune conditions the gut lining has become impaired or 'leaky', allowing substances to pass from our digestive tract to our bloodstream that normally wouldn't get through, and this sets off an immune response.

Auto-immune conditions can impact different body parts - such as Rheumatoid Arthitis (joints), Hashimotos (thyroid) or Multiple Sclerosis (nervous system), however they all have the same underlying issue - an immune system that has gone haywire.  These auto-immune conditions and leaky gut can develop over time from multiple factors including stress, antibiotics, antibacterial products, processed foods, sugars, alcohol and pesticides on food.

There are specific herbs and nutrients which can help improve gut integrity in addition to reducing or eliminating the above influences.  Glutamine, zinc carnosine, licorice, aloe vera, turmeric, slippery elm along with vitamin A and D are all important for gut integrity.  Including broths, slow cooked meals and fermented vegetables can also support gut health.  It's best to start slow if introducing fermented foods and if they upset your digestive system you may need to work on improving your gut health with a practitioner first.

TURMERIC

This amazing spice has many researched health properties which explain why it can significantly help with Endometriosis symptoms.  Turmeric can help reduce the inflammation, oxidation and cell proliferation involved in Endometriosis, along with supporting or moderating the immune system.  

If there are elevated levels of estrogens, turmeric may also help reduce these and support liver detox which is how your body removes excess hormones.  Look for a good quality supplement with either black pepper or with turmeric as a phospholipid/fat form for optimal absorption - Curcumin is the active component of Turmeric.  Some supplements also contain Boswellia or Ginger which are also great anti-inflammatory herbs and can also help reduce period pain.

HORMONAL IMBALANCE

Many women may develop hormonal imbalances over time especially in our modern stressful and chemical laden environments!  An imbalance between progesterone and estrogens can contribute to painful periods and Endometriosis.  Ongoing stress has a huge impact on other hormone levels, while chemicals in body care and plastics are known to disrupt hormone balance.  Use of the Pill can also contribute to hormonal imbalances.

Hormone levels can be assessed through saliva testing by a Naturopath and it is possible to return your hormones to a happy balance through supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes.  

One of the most effective supplements at improving estrogen levels is DIM or I-3-C for short - this compound is derived from broccoli and helps to metabolise and reduce excess estrogen.  Working on stress management and using herbs such as Rehmannia and Withania can help support your adrenals and reduce the impact of stress on your body and other hormones. Vitex or Chaste Tree can be helpful when progesterone is low.

You can also support your liver and digestive system to metabolise and remove excess hormones by including adequate quality protein, fats and a variety of vegetables and herbs - especially cruciferous (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts), garlic, onion, ginger, rosemary and turmeric.

If you suffer from painful periods or Endometriosis I'd love to help you address the underlying causes and find relief from pain.

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.

Constipation Causes And Treatment

Do you struggle with constipation?

Our digestive health impacts all areas of our body so ensuring your bowels are moving regularly is essential!  Ideally you should be having a bowel movement every one to two days, it should be easy to pass and formed - not pellet like or too loose.  Check out the Bristol Stool Chart  -  type 4 is ideal, and 3 is the next best type.

Optimal digestive health is essential for nutrient absorption, mental health, immunity and removal of wastes and toxins.

If you've been struggling with constipation a good place to start is ensuring you're drinking enough water (at least 1-2L depending on your diet and exercise level) and consuming adequate vegetables.  Include a variety of vegetables with each meal, along with some quality protein and fat. Including some fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut can also be a great way to support digestive health - start with 1 tbsp with one meal per day.  (If fermented vegetables cause you any digestive upset you may need to start smaller or you may have a more serious imbalance or overgrowth of gut bacteria which needs correcting first).

Dysbiosis - an imbalance in gut bacteria, can contribute to constipation, so a good quality multi-strain probiotic can be useful.  Our gut bacteria become imbalanced over time from antibiotics, antacids, steroid medication, chemicals, stress, alcohol, sugar and processed foods.

Magnesium citrate can also be used to help relax your nervous and digestive system to help get things moving.  If you are stressed your digestive system is literally shut down, as it is not seen as critical during a fight or flight response.  Ongoing stress, which is experienced by many people, has a huge impact on your digestive function. 

Sometimes just giving yourself enough time to sit on the toilet can help!  With our busy lives, some people just don't give their body enough time to relax on the toilet!  

Liquid herbs are amazing at improving digestive function especially chronic constipation.  Cascara, Yellow Dock, Globe Artichoke and Schisandra can be used safely and have a laxative effect.  They also work by stimulating liver function and improving bile production which are essential for optimal digestion and bowel movements.  A more frequent dose of herbs can be used initially until your digestion is moving more regularly.  A calming herb, such as Chamomile is ideal to use alongside the stronger action of Cascara, to help calm and soothe your digestive system.

Constipation, especially if chronic can also be caused by hypo or under-active thyroid function - which can be assessed by a Naturopath.  Testing TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) alone does not give you an accurate picture of thyroid function - you also need to check T3 and T4 levels.

Other conditions such as SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth) can also contribute to constipation - a Naturopath can help you work out which underlying issues and testing are relevant to you.

If you'd like to improve your digestive health I'd love to help you.  

  Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.

How To Be A Healthy Vegan

Whatever your reasons for choosing a vegan diet there are some points to keep in mind to ensure you don't become deficient in certain nutrients or develop preventable health conditions.  

Some simple blood tests can help you monitor levels of vital nutrients such as B12, Iron, Ferritin (iron stores) and Vitamin D.  These nutrients are more likely to be deficient on vegan diets and they have a huge role in optimal health, especially in regards to nervous system function, mental health, thyroid function, immunity and energy levels.  You can get these levels checked with a Naturopath and use quality supplements to support ideal levels.  While supplements are a good option they can't replace eating whole foods which contain a wide array of nutrients working in synergy.  

Many vegan packaged products can be highly processed and nutritionally deplete, so cooking from scratch as much as possible is ideal.  Focus on a variety of vegetables and include healthy fats at each meal - avocado, olives and olive oil, coconut oil/milk/cream, chia and hemp seeds/oil.  A good quality fermented pea/rice protein powder may also be beneficial.  

Soaking or fermenting legumes/nuts/seeds/grains is also important to reduce phytic acid which otherwise can bind and reduce absorption of essential nutrients such as zinc and iron - these are vital for optimal skin and hair, immunity, hormones and mental health.  

Vegan diets can end up being high in grains, omega 6 and soy products and low in bioavailable protein and essential fatty acids.  This dietary pattern can contribute to inflammation, digestive issues, mineral deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, mental health issues and weight gain.  When choosing soy products look for organic fermented products such as tempeh, miso and tamari and be mindful of not consuming too much soy, due to the effects it can have on hormonal balance.

While many people initially feel amazing on a vegan diet, this may not be true for everyone long term.  Removing processed foods from our diets and eating more vegetables will make anyone feel better compared to a standard western diet, but a totally plant based diet may not support optimal health and energy in the long term.  Deficiencies can take a while to become apparent and symptoms can be subtle at first - maybe a little less energy, a little extra weight, a little more anxiety, a slightly longer menstrual cycle.

I love the ideals of veganism however if it becomes detrimental to your own health and quality of life, we have to ask ourselves if it is worth it?  Please be open to the idea that you may need to alter your diet if your health depends on it.  I know personally how much of a challenge this can be, to change your beliefs and mindset on something you've fully invested in for years.  I experienced worsening health after 6 years as a vegan and it took me many months from thinking of including some eggs until I actually did!  A hard thought to overcome was feeling that I'd failed somehow if I stopped following a vegan diet.

One huge change I noticed after including some animal foods again is that I actually felt properly satisfied after meals.  I used to be a little bit hungry all the time, or hungry after an hour of eating while I was vegan.  Constantly snacking is not great for our blood sugar - a well balanced meal with adequate protein and fats should keep you satisfied for at least 3-4 hours.

Adequate protein and fats are especially important for womens hormones which regulate ovulation (a key indicator of health, and super important whether you want to have children or not), mood and weight.  During their reproductive years, women on a plant based diet will likely find it hard to sustain optimal iron levels long term without supplementing.

From my own experience and the many books and research articles I've read, I believe we need some amount of animal foods in our diet for optimal long term health.  This is human nature and how our bodies are designed to function well.  Of course most people could do with eating more veggies and a MOSTLY vegetable based diet is great, but a small amount of traditionally farmed products from healthy animals are also required.   Of course living responsibly and treading lightly on our environment are also important and you can still do this while consuming some sustainably raised animal products.

The foods we eat everyday have a huge impact on our health and wellbeing, and has to be considered in any health issue.  If you feel it might be time to add some animal products back into your diet, just start small with whatever you feel comfortable with and listen to any cravings you are experiencing. 

Everyone is metabolically different and many feel great on a vegan diet for different amounts of time - this is why it's so important to listen to how you are feeling to work out the right food choices for YOU.  Try not to be caught up in sticking 100% to a particular way of eating if it doesn't suit you - the only diet and lifestyle you should be sticking to is the one that makes YOU feel great!

If you'd like to check your blood levels or work on any health concerns I'd love to help you.

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.

PLEASE NOTE - This article isn't intended to offend anyone or start an argument - it's to help make you aware of possible deficiencies so you can treat or prevent them, and encourage everyone to take notice of how they feel and not ignore any signs your body is giving you. 

The Dangers Of A Low-Fat Diet

Especially for women, the dangers of a low-fat diet can be extensive!  The right type of fats have an essential role in optimal hormone production, mental health and weight regulation. 

Fat has always been a highly valued component of traditional diets.  However it was the introduction of food processing and finding cheaper fats for food production that influenced the fat education we received.  The food industry has influences over government guidelines - which means we are not always being sold the best information for our health.  

Biased research results from Ancel Keys in the 50's that 'linked' saturated fat intake and cardiovascular disease risk, started the message that many people still are being told today - that all saturated fats are bad, we should eat a low-fat diet and vegetable oils are good.  However this is far from the truth and was not supported from the other countries studied which were left out of Ancel Key's results, and from many studies since.

While some vegetable oils are great, such as cold pressed olive oil, the processing of most vegetable oils and spreads leaves them rancid and devoid of any nutrition or health promoting properties!  They are actually more likely to cause oxidation and damage to your body. 

Consuming unprocessed fats, including some animal and other saturated fats are essential for optimal health.  They are needed by every cell in your body - the membrane of each cell needs these fats for proper structure and function.  If your body isn't working well at a cellular level, it can not work well at an organ or system level and your body will be more likely moving toward a disease state.  

Many hormones and Vitamin D require fats, including cholesterol, to be produced.  Our hormones help control many important processes in our body from fertility, energy, metabolism, immunity, sleep and mood.  The right fats also support digestive and skin health.

Fats keep you fuller and satisfied for longer, can be used for energy and help you absorb nutrients from your food - so always use homemade dressing, olive oil or grass fed butter on your veggies and salad!  The right fats also make your food taste amazing! 

It can take time to embrace fats and change your mindset after being told for decades that fats are bad - but it's time to start seeing some fats as your nourishing friend!  Start adding fats to every snack and meal, and take notice of the amount that feels good for you.  If you're eating enough fats and protein at your meals you should not get hungry again for at least 3-4 hours. 

There is much outdated science still being used today, that states fat will make you fat!  The right types of fat will help regulate your weight and help you feel more satisfied after eating.  There are many studies showing that it's the refined grains and sugars that contribute to increased inflammation, weight gain, ageing, mood disorders and risk of disease.  Low fat products are commonly higher in sugars.  

Cholesterol has also been vilified, however it is primarily produced in your liver and is actually used as an antioxidant and is increased in your body to help repair damage.  An under functioning thyroid can also cause cholesterol levels to increase.  So no, you don't have to worry about eating egg yolks - that's the most nutrient dense part!  (Look for pasture raised chicken eggs for the healthiest eggs).  There are many studies also showing that those with the LOWEST cholesterol levels have an INCREASED risk of disease and mortality.

Fats are damaged by heat, light, processing and oxygen, so look for oils in dark glass jars.  Cold pressed and extra virgin olive oils are the least processed.  Saturated fats such as coconut oil, butter and ghee are more stable to the above elements, however it's still good to buy fats in glass over plastic, as chemicals from plastic can leach into the fat.  Cooking low and slow is less damaging to fats.  

Different fats also contain extra beneficial nutrients.  Grass fed butter and ghee contain Vitamins A, D, E and K along with butyric acid which supports colon cells and digestive health.  There is minimal lactose in butter and ghee, so even if you are lactose intolerant you can likely tolerate some of these.  Coconut oil contains lauric acid which acts as a natural anti-microbial against infections.  Olive oil contains vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant in our bodies - helping protect us from the damaging toxins we're exposed to everyday.  Egg yolks contain choline which is essential for our brain and nervous system function.

Most fats contain a range of fatty acids - you've probably heard of omega-3 and omega-6.  Our diets used to be higher in omega-3's but the current western diet is now much higher in omega-6's from vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and grains, which contributes to more inflammation in your body.  The way animals are raised impacts the fatty acid ratio - so grain fed meat will be higher in omega-6, whereas pasture raised animals will have more omega-3.   Underlying inflammation in the body is linked to many diseases and symptoms from depression, dementia, painful periods, auto-immune conditions and more.

Starving your body of vital fats can contribute to many symptoms such as low mood, hormonal imbalances, poor weight regulation, dry skin and lowered immunity.  Make sure you're supporting your health by including high quality fats every day.

You can download a quick guide to choosing the right fats here!

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.

Have You Had Your Iron Checked?

While iron is important for men and women, it is especially important for women as we are losing iron every month during our reproductive years!  Iron requirements are also increased during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and low levels are associated with increased risk of infection and low birth weight.  Teenage females also require more as they are going through extra growth and have started menstruating.

Low iron is one of the most common deficiencies I see in clinic.  Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Poor memory or concentration

• Hair loss

• Shortness of breath

• Infections / Poor immunity

• Ridged or brittle nails

• Pale skin, lower eyelids and poor capillary refill

• Low mood

• Restless legs

Iron is essential for transporting oxygen around our bodies, supports muscle function and is also involved in producing energy.  Our immunity relies on iron to function optimally as does our ability to convert thyroid hormones to the active form. 

Reasons your iron may be low include - 

• Heavy periods (possibly caused by a hormonal imbalance)

• Pregnancy and/or breastfeeding

• Eating minimal or no red meat

• Vegetarian or vegan diet

• Digestive issues, gluten intolerance, IBS, polyps etc which reduce your ability to absorb iron

• Antacid use or low stomach acid production

• High intake of flour, grains and legumes, coffee, tea or wine. These contain phytates or polyphenols which can bind and inhibit iron absorption

• Underlying infection, inflammation or bleeding

• Regular blood donation

• Worm or parasites which can cause gastrointestinal bleeding

• Heavy metal toxicity, especially lead, or high copper levels (commonly related to low zinc)

TESTING

An iron studies blood test will show you levels of your blood iron and also your iron stores (ferritin).  Ideally your blood level should be over 15 umol/L while ferritin should be over 100 ug/L.  Ferritin can be falsely increased if there is inflammation or infection present, and recent dietary intake can impact test results, so it’s best to do a fasting blood test.

If you have had blood tests that are ‘fine’ but you don’t feel ‘fine’, please see a Naturopath who can give you ideal levels to aim for, rather than just being in the test range which is quite large.  Many women have been told their results are fine, even though they are right at the low end of the range, which is definitely not ideal for feeling great! 

It’s also good to take into account your hemaglobin and red blood cell levels, as these will also decrease with insufficient iron.  

TYPES OF IRON

HEME – animal meat (containing hemaglobin)                                               15-35% absorbed

NON HEME – plant foods (vegetables, spinach, legumes, nuts)                  2-20% absorbed

Non Heme iron is impacted more by other foods in the diet, such as phytic acid (flours, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds) and polyphenols (black tea, coffee, wine) which inhibit absorption. 

Including both types of iron and eating foods away from coffee/black tea/wine as much as possible, and sprouting/fermenting/soaking grains, legumes and nuts to reduce phytic acid, will help you to support optimal iron absorption.   Consuming vitamin C foods such as citrus, capsicum and broccoli can also help increase non heme iron absorption.

Having not eaten red meat for many years, I’m currently having this dilemma – trying to include some meat again or having to take a supplement indefinitely!  I believe it’s best to get as much nutrition as possible from quality foods, as it’s the combination of all the nutrients, and probably other compounds that we aren’t even aware of yet, that make food superior to supplements, which are usually synthetic compounds.  

However, quality supplements do have a place and are a great way to help increase low levels.  It’s good to get your levels checked once or twice a year if you are prone to having low iron, or if you’re supplementing – just to check the supplements are helping and to check you still need supplements, as too much iron is not ideal either! 

Getting your levels checked is also a great way to determine if you are including enough iron in your diet, as the ideal amount to include will vary between women.

Many pharmacy iron supplements can cause constipation and nausea, and are not the most absorbable forms of iron, so it’s best to ask your Naturopath for a good quality supplement.  It’s best to take iron away from other minerals such as zinc, and to take on an empty stomach if tolerated. Good quality iron supplements will also contain vitamin C to help improve absorption.

If you would like to have your iron tested and assess any other areas of your health, I'd love to help you. 

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.