Yearly Archives: 2019

In an increasingly appearance-conscious society, our skin is too often seen as a reflection of our status and value. It is no wonder that those with skin conditions such as acne become increasingly self-conscious and even avoid socialising with friends and family. More than simply a condition of adolescence, acne can have a devastating impact on our self-esteem. Acne is the result of inflamed hair follicles, which occur mainly on the face, back and chest. This inflammation manifests in the form of pimples, blackheads, white heads and cysts. In some cases, acne can lead to permanent scarring.

Why do I have acne?

Acne usually coincides with the start of adolescence and generally lasts about ten years, but it some cases, can continue into adulthood. It is primarily caused by androgen hormones, which are released into the body at the start of puberty. Androgens are present in both males and females but are more predominant in males. These androgens increase the production of oil in the skin glands on the face, neck, shoulders, chest and back. Bacteria that naturally occurs on the skin surface digest the oil, and the by-products that result irritate the skin and block pores, ultimately causing blackheads, pimples and cysts.

Lifestyle factors also play a role

There are a number of lifestyle factors that trigger or exacerbate acne:

• Stress – Unfortunately, the added stress of socialising with friends and family can aggravate acne symptoms. This is because there are a multitude of nerve endings connected to the skin which also wrap around the organs. When we become stressed, it is expressed through our skin, similar to how stress manifests through high blood pressure and gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Certain medications – Drugs such as those containing corticosteroids, testosterone or lithium.

• Diet – Studies indicate that diets with high levels of high glycaemic index (GI) foods – such as white bread, short-grain rice, confectionery and fried foods – may worsen acne. A link has also been found between aggravated symptoms and dairy foods, with the exception of cheese. To maintain a healthy functioning skin, it is important to consume a well-balanced diet and keep active. Water is also an important nutrient as it helps to flush the wastes impurities out of the body.

Conventional treatment methods

When we have acne, the instinctive solution is to apply topical anti-acne creams. While some creams may be effective, they are only a band-aid solution and do not treat the underlying cause of the problem. Some of the stronger creams have also been shown to have harmful side effects.

Doctors commonly treat acne by prescribing antibiotics and retinoids (vitamin-A derived drugs) such as Roaccutane. The problem with antibiotics is that they wipe out the gut microbiome, thereby compromising gut health and exposing the body to other inflammatory conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Roaccutane, as a derivative of vitamin A, can if not monitored lead to toxicity of the liver. It also has several side effects, including depression with or without suicidal thoughts.

For women with acne, another commonly prescribed treatment is the contraceptive pill. While it is effective at suppressing skin oils and clearing up pimples, it does this by overriding the function of your hormones, switching off your ovaries entirely. This may lead to complications falling pregnant in the future.

An effective alternative

The devastating impact acne can have on our self-confidence means that we are often willing to take or do anything to make the pimples go away. However, it is important not to create more problems by using shortcut solutions that only address the symptoms (pimples etc.) whilst overlooking the underlying causes (hormonal and physiological functions). This is not to say that traditional treatment methods such as anti-acne drugs are ineffective; however, once we stop taking these drugs, the acne often reappears.

Alternative treatment methods such as changes to diet and lifestyle combined with supplementation target the causes of acne by supporting the body’s natural processes. These methods help to bring about a more sustainable solution to the condition. I have seen these positive effects firsthand in treating my own son’s acne.

If you are struggling with the anxiety of acne, get in touch to see how we can help.

For many women, menopause is a life-altering and in some cases, unsettling experience. As a menopausal woman myself, I have experienced first-hand the symptoms that are typical of many women at this stage in life: from hot flushes to weight gain, to loss of mental focus and mood changes. Menopause is a natural life stage marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. A woman is deemed to be officially in menopause when she had twelve consecutive months without menstruation. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, the average age being 51. The years preceding menopause (known as perimenopause) can range from two to eight years, marking the onset of a range of challenging symptoms.

So, what exactly causes menopause? As you approach menopause, the ovaries stop producing ‘female’ hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, which leads to an irregular menstrual cycle. For many women, the cycle may become unpredictable and may be longer or heavier. Eventually, cycles stop altogether.

It’s getting hot in here …

Arguably the most common symptoms of menopause are hot flushes and their associated night sweats, which are known collectively as vasomotor symptoms. Hot flushes are defined as intense heat with sweating and tachycardia (rapid heartbeat). This feeling can last anywhere between minutes to an hour. Up to 80% of peri- and postmenopausal women report having vasomotor symptoms, with up to a third reporting severe symptoms.

The fluctuation in oestrogen levels is seen to be a significant cause of hot flushes. This variability in hormone production compromises the brain’s perception of temperature, meaning that even a slight increase in temperature triggers a sweating and flushing response. However, fluctuating oestrogen is not the only cause of hot flushes. Research has found that stress levels can also play an influential role. Therefore, addressing stress is vital to managing menopausal symptoms.

Other symptoms that result from fluctuating oestrogen include:

• mood disturbances such as depression, anxiety and fatigue;
• cognitive impairment;
• weight gain;
• hair loss or thinning;
• insomnia;
• increased neck, lower back and hip pain;
• abnormal skin sensation (like ants crawling beneath the skin);

Know the risks

Remarkably, there is an association between vasomotor symptoms and later development of cardiovascular disease. Such symptoms are also correlated with increased insulin resistance and diagnosis of diabetes. If you go through menopause early or you have BMI higher than 25, this further increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The seriousness of this risk is demonstrated by the fact that prior to menopause, men have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than women, but after the menopausal transition the risk of cardiovascular disease between men and women is almost equal.

The loss of oestrogen that occurs in menopause also results in accelerated bone breakdown and rapid decline in bone density. It is estimated that a woman will lose about 10% of her bone mass within the first five years of menopause, increasing the risk of her developing osteoporosis.

What you can do

The profound physiological and emotional changes that women experience during the menopausal transition can make this time overwhelming. However, these changes can be an opportunity to transition into a new, exciting phase of life. Just remember that hormonal changes form only one part of the overall picture of menopause; environmental factors such as stress and a poor diet can be the difference between a positive transition and a challenging one. This is why every menopausal journey is unique.

The good news is that there are simple things you can do to make this transition more comfortable. Research shows that low-impact exercise and mind-body therapies such as Pilates can improve menopausal symptoms. Also, having a strong support unit can make an enormous difference.

Essential Wellness can provide you with the nourishment and support to feel more comfortable in your own skin.