You probably know how good oily fish is for your heart, but white fish (such as cod and haddock) could also be beneficial. Research from Kuopio University Hospital in Finland, suggests that white fish might protect against heart disease. Fish is a good source of protein – this, combined with the fact that it is low in saturated fat and cholesterol may help lower blood pressure. White fish also provides moderate amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which are known to have cardiovascular benefits.

This month’s case study is 40 year old ‘Hannah’ who came to the Clinic with cystitis

I had been suffering from persistent cystitis for about 6 months, with the symptoms getting gradually worse. I initially went to the pharmacist to buy some over the counter medication, but it had got so severe that I ended up visiting my GP who prescribed a course of antibiotics. He also told me to drink large quantities of cranberry juice as this is an age-old remedy for cystitis. It soon cleared up, but within a month it was back with a vengeance. All day at work I had an overwhelming urge to urinate every few minutes, normally with little urine to pass, so this obviously wasn’t great whilst trying to work as a busy PA. The pain on passing urine was so intense sometimes that I would feel sick and on a couple of occasions I actually developed a fever. I was getting so fed up with being in discomfort and it was starting to affect my social life and work life. Intercourse became difficult because this would often trigger a bout of cystitis. I had started to feel quite depressed by it all because it seemed to be ruling my life, so I decided I had to do something about it.

I was chatting to a friend who had suggested that my diet and general nutrition may influence the symptoms, so I did an internet search on nutrition and cystitis and I came across The Dr Marilyn Glenville website. It was excellent because it told me all about cystitis – what it is, how it is caused, the symptoms and both conventional and natural treatments available. My GP had never taken the time to explain this and was so quick to prescribe more antibiotics. I took on board the recommendations but knew I would need some expert guidance to keep me on track and keep me motivated!

 

I phoned the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic and spoke to a very helpful nutritionist who reassured me that they could help with my condition and talked me through what a consultation would involve. She explained that it would be an hour one-to-one and the nutritionist would go through my medical history and recommend dietary changes, including vitamins, minerals and herbs where necessary. I was very excited by this and decided to book my first consultation.

 

The receptionist at the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic posted me a comprehensive questionnaire to complete and return before my consultation, which allowed me to write down my main health concerns, symptoms I was experiencing and a ‘typical’ two day diet diary. I was horrified after filling in the diet diary to see how much chocolate I was eating, and very little vegetables and salad. I knew this was a problem but, because my job was stressful and I worked long hours, I used chocolate to get me through the day and by the time I got home I didn’t fancy preparing and cooking vegetables.

 

I met with the nutritionist a couple of weeks later and we went through my questionnaire in depth and she took a very detailed account of my symptoms and how I had been treating it up until now. She explained that cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder, and it can be the result of infection, irritation, or bruising, or even a combination of these three factors. Women are more prone to cystitis than men because the tube (urethra) that runs from the bladder to the outside of the body is much shorter (about 5cm/2ins) in women than it is in men (about 18cm/7ins). This means that bacteria can more easily travel to a woman’s bladder than it can a man’s. What’s more, the opening to the urethra is close to both the anus and the vagina in women (in men it’s quite a distance away), which provides even easier access for bacteria to enter the urethra and to make its way up to the bladder.

 

The nutritionist explained that the natural approach to dealing with cystitis involved treating the underlying cause of cystitis, while encouraging the body to heal itself. The fundamental aim is to help restore your health so that you are less susceptible to future attacks of cystitis. Taking over the counter remedies and antibiotics do not address the underlying cause – they simply deal with the symptoms.

 

She said that it was important to keep my system alkaline because over-acidity will aggravate the bladder. Foods that create acidity are animal proteins (found in meat and dairy), sugar, chocolate and caffeine – all of which I was consuming a lot of!

 

She gave me lots of practical tips on how I could incorporate more vegetables and salads on a daily basis. She noted that I was also drinking a lot of coffee – it had increased over the years, partly to help my energy and I suppose it was partly habit! She told me why coffee is not good – it’s acidic, which can irritate the bladder, and it has diuretic properties, which make us excrete valuable minerals and is dehydrating. So all in all, it was not at all good for me given my condition. She gave me lots of alternatives; both coffee substitutes and herbal teas. She also picked up on my lack of water, which is fundamental for cystitis because it dilutes the urine to help flush out harmful toxins that may be irritating the bladder. I said I found it hard to drink water so she suggested I have it warm and add some grated root ginger and Manuka honey. Manuka honey is naturally anti-bacterial and ginger is anti-inflammatory. She also recommended I drink a solution of water with bicarbonate of soda to help relieve the burning sensation.

 

The nutritionist recommended nutritional supplements, which she explained were specifically to address the bacterial imbalance, boost my immune system and calm the inflammation. I was put on an anti-oxidant (A, C, E, selenium and zinc) to boost immunity and help maintain healthy cells within the urinary tract. To this she added a probiotic (friendly bacteria), concentrated cranberry powder, Echinacea (for my immune system) and essential fatty acids. The cranberry powder was the equivalent of drinking a lot of juice, without the added sugar! The essential fatty acids were put in place to reduce inflammation and help the pain.

 

She also recommended looking into changing my bath and shower products as the harsh chemicals can irritate the area. She recommended some natural toiletries that were plant-based with essential oils.

 

I felt really motivated by the end of the consultation – I couldn’t wait to get started with the diet and supplements. She ordered the nutritional supplements for me to make it simpler and they arrived within a couple of days. I had never taken supplements so it was quite a challenge remembering them, but after a week it became second nature! I was so amazed to see that the more ‘unusual’ foods I had been recommended to eat were all stocked in the supermarket. This was great because it was so convenient for me, which was a huge factor. Due to my busy lifestyle, I needed everything to be simple and easy to implement. Even at work it was great because the restaurant had a salad option and homemade soups, which I had never thought about eating in the past!

 

The honey and ginger was amazing – I started every morning with this – it really set me up for the day. It was strange because I actually didn’t miss the coffee! As I really got into the diet I found myself actually ‘craving’ green vegetables and almost lost the taste for sugar. Within the first month the frequency of me urinating had reduced and there was definitely less pain. The whole area felt more comfortable. I generally felt better – had more energy, slept better and seemed to get less stressed at work. It wasn’t until changing my diet and taking the supplements that I realised, for so many years, I hadn’t been running on all four cylinders.

 

I had a follow up consultation in 6 weeks so the nutritionist could see how I was getting on. She had asked me to keep a daily diet and symptom diary so we could go through it together. She was very encouraging and said that I had done very well taking on board the changes. In the first 6 weeks I hadn’t suffered with cystitis, so for the first time in months I hadn’t taken any antibiotics.

 

Three months on and my diet consists mainly of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, beans, nuts and seeds, salad and brown rice. I now look back and wonder how I ever ate so much sugar and coffee. My palate has really changed since seeing the nutritionist and I am totally converted with my toiletries – they are all natural and organic and smell wonderful. I can’t thank the team at The Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic enough and just wish I had found out about them earlier. I have not had a bout of cystitis since!

 

Marilyn’s Comment

 

Hannah’s story is such an inspiration as it really does show how the power of nutrients can prevent such debilitating symptoms. There are times of course when medical intervention is needed, (i.e. if the infection had spread to the kidneys). However, cystitis is such a common condition that we see time and time again in the clinic and we have such good success. With the persistent symptoms Hannah was experiencing it was her body telling her to take note and listen. She could have continued taking the antibiotics and not actually addressed the root cause. Due to modern day living it sometimes feels easier to take the ‘quick fix’ but, as we can see from this case, after a while the body stops responding to the conventional treatment and symptoms can often get worse. Listen to your body – don’t ignore your symptoms, particularly if they are persistent – deal with them and take your health into your own hands.

 

 

If you would like to find out more about our clinics and the supplements and natural toiletries mentioned, then please see the Resources Page.

If you often find yourself not in the mood for sex, or simply can’t remember when you last had sex, try some of these natural solutions to get your libido back on track:

1) Practise your Kegels: Get your vaginal muscles in shape again by practising your Kegels (pelvic floor exercises). Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic muscles and combat incontinence and make sex more enjoyable. To find out which muscles you need to use, the next time you go to the toilet stop urinating in midstream by contracting your muscles; these are your pelvic floor muscles. Use these muscles to perform a Kegel, contract them and hold for a count of five and then relax. Repeat this ten times, at least five times a day, and you should find it easier to reach orgasm. If you need extra help, then there are some good pelvic toners on the market. There are two I would recommend, so for more information go to www.naturalhealthpractice.com or call 0845 8800915.

 

2) Give yourself a vitamin boost: If you’re feeling too tired to make love ensure you are getting enough of the correct vitamins and minerals. Nutrient deficiencies can drain your energy and dampen your libido so a healthy diet is a must, as is cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes, all of which can interfere with your sex drive. Also be sure that your multivitamin and mineral supplement contains enough vitamin C, B complex and magnesium – these nutrients are all vital to help your body combat libido-sapping stress, balance your blood sugar levels and keep your vagina lubricated.

 

3) Treat yourself and your partner to a massage: Aromatherapy massage oils, such as jasmine, sandalwood, ylang ylang and rose, are all thought to stimulate sex drive. So why not give your partner a massage and ask him or her to return the favour! Massage helps release dopamine – the body’s natural pleasure chemical.

 

4) Catuaba: When no amount of aromatherapy massage can get you in the mood, you may want to try Catuaba – a Brazilian herb that is known as the ‘tree of love.’ The bark contains substances that may act as a natural aphrodisiac within five to 21 days of taking extracts regularly.

 

5) Muira puama: If your partner is the one who struggles to get into the mood you may want to encourage him to try muira puama. This fragrant Amazonian shrub has been used for centuries to boost libido by stimulating production of the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine. It may also help boost the production of sex hormones and boost circulation to the genital area.

 

6) Boost your serotonin levels: The key to boosting libido is stabilising serotonin levels. Excess amounts of serotonin (the brains ‘feel good’ hormone) cause fatigue and a decrease in sexual desire. But serotonin deficiency is associated with low moods, lack of concentration and poor appetite control. To help your brain and body strike a serotonin balance, make sure you eat five to six small, balanced meals and snacks every day containing complex carbohydrates and healthy protein.

 

7) Foods to spice up your sex life: Although there really aren’t any aphrodisiac foods as such, there are certain foods that contain crucial nutrients for healthy libido. Make sure you include plenty of the following in your diet:

 

Apples – Apples are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre that can boost immunity and general health and wellbeing. Good health and a healthy libido go hand in hand.

Avocado – The Aztecs called the avocado tree ahuacatl or “testicle tree.” While avocados can indeed look like that body part, they also contain high levels of folic acid, which helps metabolise proteins, thus giving you more energy. They also contain vitamin B6 (a nutrient that increases male and female hormone production) and Vitamin E, both of which are vital for overall sexual function (and a smooth complexion).

Beetroot – Well known for its immune-boosting and blood-building properties, beetroot contains nutrients that help support the liver, which is where sexual hormones are metabolised. It is also rich in iron, calcium and potassium, all of which promotes healthy circulation to the reproductive organs.

 

Cherries – Cherries may be small, but they are a big source of antioxidant compounds – such as the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin, a high intake of which has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, strokes and heart attacks. They are also bursting with vitamins and minerals that can boost health and energy – and so boost your libido.

Cinnamon – According to Chinese medicine cinnamon is thought to tone the kidneys and produce a strong flow of energy, and it is linked to virile sexuality. Studies have also shown that the smell of cinnamon can also boost concentration and alertness.

Garlic – Yes, you might need to stock up on some extra breath mints, but it’ll be worth it! Garlic contains allicin, an ingredient that increases blood flow to the penis. As such, it’s a highly effective herb for increasing libido. If the odour just won’t work, or you can’t stand garlic, you can always encourage him to take garlic capsules instead. (The one I use in the clinic is called Aged Garlic – see the Resources Page).

 

Strawberries – Berries (such as strawberries, blueberries and blackberries) are not only rich in the sex hormone zinc but are also are incredibly high in antioxidants, which helps to optimise blood flow to the sex organs. They also have the lowest glycaemic load of any fruit, meaning they provide sustained energy levels at only a few calories.

 

Tomatoes – The juicy tomato, or “love apple,” is a potent source of antioxidants which have strong anti-cancer, anti-ageing and libido-boosting properties.

Mangoes – Apparently the mango is known as ‘The Love Fruit’ and has been used as an ancient Viagra. The Kama Sutra recommends drinking the tropical juices before sexual play – and who can argue with the bible of love! This wonder-fruit contains zinc, a natural sex aid, and sugar and nutrients for stamina. In India mangoes are very important for couples and feature at weddings and other celebrations as a symbol of love and joy of life.

Figs – These are high in amino acids, which are believed to increase libido. The shape of a fresh fig and the sweet, juicy taste are two tangible aspects that are highly pleasurable.

 

8) Go to your GP: If healthy diet and lifestyle changes don’t work and you feel you’ve tried everything, go to your GP to rule out underlying medical disorders that may be dampening your libido, such as high blood pressure or thyroid dysfunction. If no medical reasons are found, your GP may advise counselling if loss of libido is stress related.