Q: Every now and again I get an outbreak of spots. I eat healthily and exercise but I do love chocolate. Is my love of chocolate giving me spots?

A: Cocoa solids and pure chocolate (the quality 75 and 80 per cent cocoa type) will not cause spots but cheap, mass produced chocolate bars which are packed with sugar, whey, sweeteners, additives and preservatives, however, can produce a break out of blemishes. In other words it is not the cocoa that causes an outbreak but the other ingredients that go into making a chocolate bar.

 

Sugar places a huge burden on your liver and if you eat too much this can cause problems with your complexion because when the your liver can’t cope with an excess of toxins in your blood your body will push waste products out through your skin, blocking the pores of the epidermis in the process and making you more prone to spots.

 

I suspect that you really enjoy chocolate and it is very possible that you are eating too much of it.  Quality chocolate is less likely to affect your skin but my general recommendation is to reduce chocolate to only an occasional treat and not to eat it everyday because it can cause fluctuations in blood sugar.

Q: I always get migraine and want to know if there are any natural therapies that can help ease the frequency and severity of attacks?

A: There are many causes and triggers for migraines and these include dehydration, food intolerance, low blood sugar levels, stress and tension and hormonal changes. On top of that there is the added muscular tension that is created by stress so stress management and relaxation techniques are advised when life goes crazy.

 

It is also possible that the hormonal changes that occur around menstruation can aggravate changes in vaso-dilation. This is also a time when you are more likely to feel stressed, tensed and have blood sugar swings and sugar cravings.

 

To ease the frequency and severity of attacks avoid all dehydrating drinks such as tea, coffee, alcohol and chocolate and make sure you drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day – more if you exercise.

 

Avoid sugar and refined foods to help keep your blood sugar levels stable and eat little and often leaving no more than 3 hours between meals and snacks. Aim for a good whole food diet rich in whole grains and raise your levels of B vitamins found in eggs, bananas, nuts, seeds, which support the nervous system during times of stress and levels of magnesium, found in green vegetables which are often depleted during times of stress.

 

Anti-spasmodic herbs can also help tension headaches and migraines – try wild yam, fever few and cramp bark. Butterbur contains compounds that prevent blood vessel inflammation, a possible migraine trigger. If these simple methods don’t work get tested for any food intolerances and see a osteopath to see if your posture is a contributory factor. If all this still doesn’t help make an appointment with your doctor.

Q: I had a heart attack a few years ago. Should I be taking a supplement of omega 3 fish oils?

A: Numerous studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids help to protect against heart disease and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence has just recommended that if you’ve had a heart attack you should eat at least 7g of omega 3s per week (that’s two portions of oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and fresh tuna.

Doctors have also been advised to prescribe 1g of omega 3 daily for anyone who can’t do this, starting from three months after a heart attack, for up to three years.

I suggest that you eat a diet with plenty of whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables oily fish, nuts, seeds and pulses as these foods are linked to lower heart disease risk. And add in a supplement like Omega 3 Plus to get the correct amount of essential fatty acids in your diet. Reduce the amount of saturated fats in your diet by avoid meat and eating dairy foods in moderation. Avoid trans fats completely as just an increased consumption of trans fats by only 2% increases the risk of heart disease by a massive 30%.