Looking at psoriasis the nutritional medicine way

by Fleur Borrelli (Nutritionist at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy)

The skin and the brain are intricately linked. Both produce the same hormones and neurotransmitter substances. In the skin, serotonin should be converted to melatonin which acts as a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. It is no wonder, therefore, that the skin condition psoriasis is linked to both depression and anxiety disorders⁽¹⁾. A lack of nutritional cofactors such as vitamins B6 and B12 may prevent this conversion in a biochemical process known as methylation.

Geographical latitude may also influence incidence of psoriasis as beneficial sunlight is also needed to produce melatonin⁽²⁾. Overuse of sunscreens and lack of exposure to the sun will also inhibit the production of vitamin D, vitally important for the integrity of the barriers of the body which include the intestinal lining, the blood brain barrier, the synovial lining and of course the skin⁽³⁾. The function of the barriers is to protect us against pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. They are lined, therefore, with immune cells including B memory cells which remain in communication with each other all over the body. It makes perfect sense, therefore, when treating the skin to also support the gut with probiotic therapy⁽⁴⁾.

Another tool in the nutritional medicine toolbox to alleviate psoriasis is the use of adaptogenic herbs. Herbs such as ginseng and rhodiola can be very effective in reducing the detrimental effects of the stress axis. Chronic activation of this axis can be a factor in the over-triggering of the part of the immune system that deals with cellular immunity with the result being the higher cell proliferation that characterises psoriasis⁽⁵⁾. As one of a spectrum of autoimmune diseases, it develops when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen and sends out faulty signals that cause the overproduction of skin cells. An epidemiological link has been found between the consumption of beer and the incidence of psoriasis⁽⁶⁾. Beer is made from the gluten-grain barley and other anti-nutrients such as saponins and lectins that can damage the gut and have been linked to autoimmunity⁽⁷⁾.

Nutritional medicine offers a multi-system approach to tackling psoriasis. It aims to reduce the damaging effects of stress hormones whilst supporting barrier function and the immune system. Methotrexate is a pharmaceutical drug used in the treatment of autoimmune disease. It inhibits the metabolism of folic acid and so folic acid is often prescribed alongside. Folic acid, routinely used in fortified foods such as bread and supplements, is the synthetic version of the naturally occurring folate. Many of us have a genetic enzyme deficiency that prevents us from being able to convert folic acid into the folate. The result of this is that un-metabolised synthetic folic acid may remain in the bloodstream with undesirable consequences. Nutritional medicine can come to the fore by offering foods forms of folate. Folate is vital for cell division, DNA repair, immune function and cognitive health.


References for 'Looking at psoriasis the nutritional medicine way':

1. Gunasti S, Marakii SS et al. Clinical and histopathological findings or psoriatic neurodermatitis and of typical lichen simplex chronicus. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereal 2007. July 21 (6): 811-7.
2. Reiter R.J. The melatonin rhythm: both a clock and a calendar. Experientia 15.8. 1993, Vol 49, Issue 8, pp 654-664.
3. Kong J. et al. Novel role of vitamin D receptor in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. American Journal of Physiology. 1 January 2008 Vol. 294.
4. Ouwehand AC, Tiihonen K, Lahtinen. The Potential of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Skin Health. Textbook of Aging Sin 2010, pp 799-809
5. Lowes MA, Kikuchi T et al. Psoriasis Vulgaris Lesions Contains Discrete Populations of Th1 and Th17 T Cells. Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2008) 128, 1207-1211.
6. Schafer T. Epidemiology of psoriasis. Dermatology Vol 212, No. 4, 2006.
7. Rook G. Hygiene Hypothesis and Autoimmune Diseases. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology, February 2012, Volume 42, Issue 1, pp 5- 15.

For appointments with Fleur at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy, call  020 8789 3881 or send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk.


Fleur Borrelli (Nutritionist)
W:Nutrition and superfood
N: Nutrition and superfood newsletters
T: 07766 88 35 22
E: fleur@nutritionandsuperfood.co.uk

Detox and revitalise your body workshop: Saturday 21 June, 1-4pm

 

Detox and revitalise your body workshop

 

Saturday 21st June 2014, 1-4pm

Yoga teacher, Cherie Lathey, and Nutritionist, Fleur Borrelli, will be holding an afternoon detox workshop on Saturday 21st June from 1-4pm.

A detox awakens the body’s powerful cleansing and healing abilities, helping to cure and prevent disease, restore health, balance emotions and prolong life.

A juice detox with yoga helps eliminate toxins by producing internal heat and massaging the internal organs, whilst boosting the immune system, restoring the body’s natural healing power. It is a great kick-start to a healthier, more positive, lifestyle.


The afternoon will include:

• "Why detox" with Fleur Borrelli: Understanding why the mind and body benefits from gentle detoxifying.
• Vinyasa flow yoga with Cherie Lathey: Focusing on breath, movement, twisting, and heat producing poses.
• Refreshing detoxifying fresh juices / smoothies prepared by Fleur.
• Discussion and recipes on superfoods & smoothies. Learn how to prepare for the best detox results.

Both Fleur and Cherie believe in a gentle and safe detox approach.

Cost: £45

Early bird offer: £40 (if booked before 15 June)

 

More information and booking 

For more information or to book your place on this course, please call The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy reception on 020 8789 3881 or send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk, quoting Detox and revitalise your body workshop as the subject.

Why we need to help our detoxification systems

by Fleur Borrelli, Nutritionist at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy

It is a relatively unknown fact that our body produces its own toxins as part of our normal metabolism. Our intestinal bacteria may also release by-products from metabolism that can be damaging to our health. This is before we even consider the toxins that come in from the environment.

Fortunately we have evolved a complex network of systems to get rid of toxins that have been created internally. The antioxidant system cleverly destroys free radicals during chemical reactions in our cells before they can damage the cell itself.

The liver, amongst its multitude of tasks, will take a toxic molecule which is generally fat soluble and transforms it into a water soluble molecule to be excreted out of the body in urine via the kidneys. Even fat soluble molecules can be shifted into bile which is then squirted into the intestine and ejected from the body in faeces. Sweating can lose any heavy metals lurking about, not to mention the shedding of toxins via skin, hair and nails.

This is what happens when all is working well... But we now live in a modern environment where we are being overloaded with toxins We have plastics in our toothpaste, heavy metals in our deodorant, herbicides in the air we breathe, additives in our foods, synthetic hormones in our drinking water, harmful electromagnetic radiation in our homes and the list goes on.

We may reach a point where we have adapted to this environment of chemicals that are foreign to our body but we haven’t got there yet. We are succumbing more and more to symptoms produced by compromised detoxification systems such as poor digestion, headaches, depression and chronic fatigue.

'Tired all the time' (TATT) is one of the major reasons why people visit their doctor... We need to help our detoxification systems. We can do that by consciously reducing our toxin exposure, being mindful of everything we put into our mouth or on our skin. Indeed a good rule of thumb would be not to put anything onto our skin that we are not prepared to put into our mouth! Nourishing the body as well will provide those systems with the raw materials they need to perform their tasks. Food is our medicine.

Fleur will holding a detox and revitalise your body workshop along with Cherie Lathey of Yoga Mama on Saturday 21 June, from 1-4pm. Early bird offer of £40, if booked before 15 June (normal price £45).


For appointments with Fleur at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy, call  020 8789 3881 or send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk.



Fleur Borrelli (Nutritionist)
W:Nutrition and superfood
N: Nutrition and superfood newsletters
T: 07766 88 35 22
E: fleur@nutritionandsuperfood.co.uk

Weight loss workshop

Saturday 11 January 2014, 1pm – 4.30pm  

Want to lose weight permanently and effectively?  Here are 5 reasons why you should attend:

• Successful proven results in long term weight loss
• Learn how you can eat to sustain appetite and energy levels and lose the cravings
• Discover solutions to stop over eating and take effective control of emotional eating
• Receive a body composition analysis and learn what foods affect  your ability to maintain a stable weight
• Experience a 40 minute relaxation and confidence boosting  session using positive affirmations to achieve your goals, look better and feel better

 

Cost £95

You will be given handouts, a free CD on relaxation and confidence, and a personalized nutritional health assessment (10% discount when booked and paid before Christmas)

Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Please call reception on 020 8789 3881 to book your place or send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk.

Nutrition and Superfoods by Fleur Borrelli

This is the news letter from the Nutritionist at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy.  If you would like to receive her news letter, please see the link below:

In this month's issue read about the compound in grape juice and red wine that can help you to burn the fat and age more slowly.  Also find out which fish may be a more sustainable alternative to mackerel and put some fire in your belly with a delicious Levi Roots recipe.   Please click on the link below:

http://nutritionandsuperfood.co.uk/newsletter_2013/01/jan_2013.html

Get thin and stay thin!

A complete weight loss programme using hypnotherapy, nutrition and yoga

This course is designed to help anyone seriously wanting to lose weight. We cannot force you to get thin and stay thin but provided you play your part we can help give you the best possible chance of doing so. We will teach you the newest psychological techniques available to help you to get thin and fit and stay that way. Plus, you receive a full nutritional assessment and recommended healthy eating plan.

About the course

Running 2 weeks consecutively followed by a 2 week break between the last two sessions, the course includes:

• 4 Hypnotherapy sessions
• 4 Nutritional assessments
• 4 Yoga or Pilates classes

When and where

The next session starts on 11th January 2013 at 4pm (duration 2 hours) at:

The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy
2nd floor, 266 Upper Richmond Road,
Putney,
London SW15 6TQ.

Cost, terms and bookings

The course costs £525 (a saving of £165), which is payable in 4 installments, and are to be used before the end of March 2013. To book, call Marygrace Anderson on 07931 54 74 14 or send an email to mghypnosis@aol.com.

Expect Much More Than Getting Thin?

We anticipate that the techniques you will learn will not only help you to get thin but will help you in many other areas. We expect that you will:

• Improve your confidence and health
• Increase your ability to solve problems
• Increase your ability to reach your goals in other areas of your life
• Improve your relationships with others
• Increase your ability to enjoy your life

We don't use:

• Pills
• Surgery
• Terror tactics

We do use:

• The latest scientific research
• Affirmations
• Visualisation
• Hypnotherapy
• Guided imagery
• Coaching
• The power of the mind
• Hypnosis

What to expect

All participants start off with an individual phone consultation to assess what they have done in the past, what their specific difficulties are and of course what they are aiming to achieve. We will email you a short form to fill in and email back before the first session.

Who are the experts?

• Marygrace Anderson from MG Hypnosis
• Fleur Borrelli from Nutrition and Super Food
• Cherie Lathey from yoga mama