Not Ovulating? Top 5 Tips on How to Conceive Naturally

Is it possible to conceive naturally if you are not ovulating?

Ovulation and conception go hand in hand. To conceive naturally, you need to know when and if you are ovulating. For some women, ovulation may only occur intermittently between cycles, or it may only last one day in the entire reproductive cycle. So, if you are trying to fall pregnant naturally, the first step is to establish when and if you are ovulating.

Fertility preservation and staying fertile longer means it is important to maintain healthy ovulatory cycles. So, if you have been living a lifestyle that is perhaps stressful or have been having too much fun … then it may be time to make a few changes to support healthy ovulation ....and stay fertile longer in your 20's, 30's, 40's and beyond.

At BumpFertility we take ovulation seriously, and we educate you on how to establish if, and when your ovulation peaks. Most women are aware of the presence of cervical mucus. Observing your cervical mucus can be more useful than you may think. If you want to aid or avoid conception, cervical mucus observations are said to be around 98.5% accurate as to the fertile and infertile times in your monthly cycle.

Firstly, it's important to note that there are some situations in which your mucus may be affected by external factors, including:

Conditions such as:

• Stress


• Insomnia


• Medications or drugs (inc. Clomid)


• Illness

• Toxicity


• Excess dieting


• Travel


• Hormonal imbalances

Do You Know How Fertile You Are? Take My FREE Fertility Check to Find Out click here

If you are not ovulating we call this premature ovarian failure – and it is not the same as premature menopause. While menopause is an irreversible condition, premature ovarian failure is characterized by intermittent and temporary ovarian failure with periodic episodes of normal follicular activity or ovarian function. This means you may not ovulate all the time, perhaps even just once a year, or you may not ovulate at all.

Most of the time premature ovarian failure appears to begin spontaneously and its origin is elusive or unknown. Some of the identified causes include:

• Autoimmune disease


• Thyroid Imbalance


• Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOS)


• Ovarian Cysts
  

• Fibroids


• Endometriosis


• Stress


• Incorrect acid/alkaline balance or PH

Ovulatory disorders are one of the leading causes of female infertility, and affect between 20% and 40% of women experiencing fertility problems. However, with natural support and treatment, a woman's ability to conceive improves dramatically.

My Natural Fertility program supports healthy, regular ovulatory patterns. When you come on board with me I will not only teach you to identify when you are ovulating, but also implement dietary, nutritional and herbal strategies to support healthy regular ovulation cycles.

Over the years I have successfully helped women to regain a normal healthy pattern of ovulation utilizing nutritional support and hormone modulating treatments such as Vitex agnus-castus or Paeonia lactiflora in conjunction with female tonic herbs and the steroidal saponin-containing herbs.

So that's another reason why we are different at BumpFertility - we will choose a treatment protocol especially for you, based on your hormonal profile and fertility requirements.

It is possible to achieve a healthy viable pregnancy once ovulation patterns are established. Read my story

Top 5 Tips on How to Conceive Naturally with Ovulation Problems

Step 1. Identify what's impacting upon your fertility - including hormones so you can conceive naturally in your 20's, 30's, 40's and beyond.

Step 2. Learn what foods are triggering hormonal imbalances causing lowered fertility.

Step 3. Implement a natural and targeted nutritional treatment plan designed to balance hormones and help you to conceive naturally in your 20's, 30's, 40's and beyond.

Step 4. Introduce targeted natural remedies to restart your fertility.

Step 5. Provide access to a professional support network that will guide and help you to change unhealthy lifestyle choices and implement a long term treatment to work towards optimal fertility.

So many women have joined Bump Fertility and been successful. The key is to learn the truth about hormones and the truth about the foods that can work against your fertility efforts.

Give me a call 1300 133 536 to get started!

Download My FREE ebook

20 Everyday Things That Can Dramatically Affect Your Fertility click here

Top 5 Tips To Stop Cravings, Binge And Emotional Eating

When you're trying to lose weight it's easy to let cravings get in the way of your weight loss success, leaving you frustrated, disheartened and gaining weight.

Most women suffer from cravings, but how do you get off the weight loss, craving rollercoaster and just enjoy your treats occasionally? It could be your hormones and it's easy when you identify what's causing them. Knowing what is causing your cravings and binge eating means you will achieve your weight loss goal faster.

Forgoing your favorite foods when you have a craving can not only seem difficult, but downright impossible. However satisfying, this sugar, caffeine, chocolate or salt craving will put you on the fast track to poor health & weight gain. If your hormones are causing your cravings it will make successful weight loss almost impossible.

Not sure if your hormones are making you fat? Take my FREE Hormonal Test

Why do you get cravings and how do they cause weight gain?

Diets, tiredness and hormones can affect your desire for certain foods, and a small number of cravings can be the result of a food allergy. Hormones cause food cravings and binge eating sabotaging your weight loss. I encourage you to read Mandy's story.

Stress can also play a role in stimulating your cravings due to it stimulating the release of cortisol. Cortisol stimulates the release of glucose, potentially contributing to metabolic syndrome & subsequent weight gain. It stimulates your appetite & can leave you craving carbohydrates and sugars. Something you don't need when you are trying to shed kilos as it will certainly sabotage your weight loss efforts.

This rebound effect is often incorrectly labeled as emotional eating. Although some of us do eat for comfort, often the cravings are ravenous & uncontrollable sabotaging your weight loss. If this is happening to you, it could be your hormones! Naturopathic treatment for Candida is successful and has helped many women heal their symptoms and achieve their weight loss naturally. The best part is, you can have access to your own naturopath online!

Candida/Thrush

Candida or thrush outbreaks cause cravings especially for carbohydrates or sugar.

Causes of Candida

• oestrogen dominance (PCOS, Fibroids, Cysts, PMS, Endometriosis, Menopause)
• birth control pills/antibiotics
• refined, processed foods
• alcohol
• stress, insomnia

Oestrogen Dominance causes cravings and weight gain

Oestrogen Dominance or high levels of estrogens caused by environmental toxins can cause cravings - especially before your period which lead to weight gain.

Oestrogen dominance is associated with hormonal imbalances that sabotage weight loss such as:

• PCOS
• Fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Cysts
• Menopause

Salivary Hormone Testing for Cravings

By completing my full online naturopathic health and hormone test, I will invest no less than 45 minutes piecing together your symptoms and really pinpoint what hormones are causing your weight gain and other health complaints. If I feel that further salivary or blood testing via you GP is required, I will make those recommendations.

For example, as part of the process of compiling a natural weight loss program for you, I may suggest measuring hormone levels by using salivary hormone test kits, available from my clinic. Salivary hormone test kits can assist in the proper diagnoses of hormonal imbalances contributing to weight gain and conditions such as Fatigue, PCOS, Fibroids, Endometriosis, Cyst, Menopause and Thyroid imbalance. To find out more about salivary hormone testing please visit my website.

Oestrogen causes insulin resistance, which results in impaired glucose tolerance or a rise in glucose levels, as it's not entering the cells where it's needed. This has a direct affect upon your metabolism an sabotages your weight loss.

It could be you need more progesterone to counter the possible higher oestrogen and to implement oestrogen clearance strategies to balance your hormones so you can achieve your weight loss goals and keep it off.

Leptin Resistance Causes Cravings Binge Eating and Weight gain

Leptin, is a hormone produced by your fat cells. It's involved in weight and appetite regulation. In simple terms, it signals the hypothalamus gland in your brain when fat cells are full. This means that low levels of leptin can result in food cravings and cause weight gain. Women who struggle with weight loss are prone to low leptin levels. Implementing a targeted naturopathic treatment strategy can improve leptin levels so you achieve healthy weight loss and hit your goals.

Ghrelin Increases Your Appetite , Cravings, Binge eating and weight gain

Ghrelin is a "hunger hormone" and regulates how much food you eat, weight loss success and how much weight you gain.

Elevated ghrelin triggers strong feelings of hunger. In addition to regulating eating behavior, ghrelin may slow your metabolism and reduce your ability to burn fat, this is one reason why it may feel like your metabolism has stopped or your weight loss plateau's.

Several studies suggest that overweight women have imbalanced ghrelin levels, or have an impaired ability to regulate ghrelin. This means they gain weight fast and struggle with weight loss no matter how hard they try. Couple this with a thyroid imbalance or menopause and you are in for a roller coaster ride of constant weight gain and failed weight loss attempts!

Cholecystokinin (CCK) imbalance causes Cravings and weight gain

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a hormone released in the gastrointestinal tract when you eat a meal. It slows down the digestive process and provides "Satiety" - meaning a feeling of fullness or satisfaction.

However, some women have reduced CCK secretion after a meal and impaired appetite regulation. Impaired CCK secretion may play a role in the greater frequency of binge eating and weight gain in women.

Top 5 Tips to overcome cravings and binge eating making weight loss easier

Step 1. Identify what hormonal factors are causing your cravings.

Step 2. Learn what foods according to your hormonal profile, you should be avoiding to stop cravings.

Step 3. Implement a targeted nutritional treatment plan specifically tailored to your biochemical profile to balance hormones and combat cravings.

Step 4. Introduce targeted natural remedies to 're start your metabolism' and lose weight.

Step 5. Access to a professional support network to guide and help you to change unhealthy lifestyle choices contributing to cravings and weight gain.

Most women report significant improvement in their cravings in 6 to 8 weeks, with marked improvement in the first 2 to 4 weeks.

• Research supports that without guided professional support 82% of women give up on implementing health changing programs.
• With my easy access online and telephone support system you have a 92% increase in succeeding in achieving your results.

The best approach for you:

• Book in your FREE Naturopathic Review.
• Commit yourself to a comprehensive program with me that will include vitamins, herbs and minerals specifically chosen for you to balance your hormones.
• Make use of our support network made up of fully registered and accredited health professionals.

So many women have joined MassAttack and been successful. The key is to learn the truth about hormones and the truth about the foods that can work against your weight loss efforts.

Download my FREE e book "7 Secrets To Weight Loss Revealed" click here

Fall Pregnant with Endometriosis and PCOS

Natural treatment of Endometriosis that every woman should know about.

Research offers us many causes and theories about the cause of endometriosis, but unfortunately, still no cure for this painful and misunderstood disorder. Often, the standard treatment for endometriosis is drastic. Luckily there is natural treatment for endometriosis that work as standard treatment usually involves either a hysterectomy or hormone therapy like Depro Provera, to suppress estrogen and initiate a false menopause. This treatment brings new problems of its own; hot flashes, vaginal dryness and a low libido.

Thankfully natural treatment for endometriosis is available using herbs, dietary changes and nutritional support.

As a naturopath specializing in women’s health and hormones, I have helped many women heal their endometriosis naturally. That’s why it’s important for best results in treating your endometriosis naturally, work with a naturopath who has experience with this disorder and can help you develop a complete natural treatment program that includes dietary changes, herbal support and nutritional therapy for successful natural treatment of endometriosis.

Do you have endometriosis? Do you want to know what everyday changes you can do to heal your endo? Click here

Case study: Sara Frankston Vic - My personal journey with endometriosis
Severe period pain and nausea with endometriosis

One night I arrived home with very severe and terrible shooting pains in my stomach. Little did I know it was endometriosis. The pains were so overwhelming I couldn’t sit up. I felt nauseas and faint. Lucky my friend was with me and she took me to the local hospital.

I was told the excruciating period pain was normal but my friends periods weren’t this bad

The doctor performed a vaginal examination and determined that I had a tampon infection and I was released and an appointment with an OB GYN was made. When I explained my excruciating shooting pains and how I often got them even when I wasn’t having my menstrual cycle, he explained to me that this was normal pain for women.

For the next year I spent many agonizing days and nights, crying because of these terrible pains. Finally, I went to see an OB GYN of a friend and I was explained that I might have endometriosis. This is where my story begins.

Finally I found out I had endometriosis and was scared to death
As I sat in the doctor’s office and was told that I indeed might have endometriosis and would have to have surgery, at the age of 18 I was scared to death!

I was admitted to the hospital to have a Laparoscopy and a Dilatation and Curettage (D and C) administrated. I wasn’t sure what all this meant, and I wasn’t sure what questions I should be asking. All I hoped for was that it would stop this horrifying period pain (that almost 10 doctors had told was “normal”).

After I recovered and was returned to my hospital room, my OB GYN came in and showed me the pictures that they had taken during surgery and informed me I did have endometriosis. It covered all of my female organs, uterus, ovaries, was on my bladder and on my colon. He said he had removed it all and I should be fine.

My endometriosis returned after a Curette

For the next 2 years I experienced the same kind of tremendous pain, but at least I knew what it was. I moved around a lot and had to see various doctors. I saw nearly 20 doctors, most who told me “it was normal”, or “there was nothing physically wrong with me”. I would just cry and cry and even got to the point where I did not want to see any doctors…they didn’t believe me anyway so what was the point!

Every Pap smear I had was so painful that I cried and cried during each procedure. I was prescribed Depro Provera.

Endometriosis caused me to be depressed and I gained weight

About 2 weeks into the Depro Provera treatment I started to feel some mild changes in my moods and weight.

I quickly became severally depressed. I cried and cried for no reason at all. One day I turned up to the GP crying hysterically, the receptionist asked me if I was ok and I just screamed “do I look o.k.? I then saw the DR who prescribed me some Prozac.

Endometriosis ruined my life - I was depressed, tired with debilitating period pain and my life had fallen apart.

My life began to fall apart. I couldn’t hold down a job and my boyfriend dumped me because of my moods. I called my mum in tears and she drove for 8 hours to pick me up. She stayed for a few days and talked me in to coming home again so she could look after me.

I tried natural treatment for endometriosis that worked

It was then that she showed me an article in the Take 5 magazine about a girl named Michelle who had worked with a naturopath called Narelle Stegehuis. I immediately called her and she gave me hope. After working with her and finding out how to trat my endometriosis naturally, I am now drug free and pain free. I feel like myself again.

Do you have endometriosis? Do you want to know what everyday changes you can do to heal your endo? Click here

Do I have endometriosis?

Period pain that becomes so debilitating it renders you unable to go about your normal routine, is not ordinary or typical!

Period Pain is your body's way of signaling that something is wrong. If you are suffering from pelvic pain, you may have endometriosis and should be diagnosed properly.

Endometriosis symptom checklist

Pain may occur in any of the following forms:

• Period pain - immediately before and during the period
• Pain during or after sex
• Abdominal, back and/or pelvic pain
• Pain with opening bowels, passing wind or urinating also frequency
• Ovulation pain, including thigh or leg pain

Bleeding irregularities

• Heavy bleeding, with or without clots
• Irregular bleeding with or without a regular cycle
• Prolonged bleeding
• Premenstrual spotting

Digestive problems:

• Bowel or bladder symptoms, including bleeding from bladder or bowel
• Irregular bowel habits e.g. constipation, diarrhea
• Bloating

Mood Changes

• Premenstrual symptoms
• Tiredness

...WEIGHT GAIN!

If you have answered "yes" to any of these questions, you could have Endometriosis. (Endo)

• Are you frustrated by the pain of your endometriosis?
• Do you know in your heart that it's time to make a change?

If so, you have come to the right place.

At MassAttack we can help you overcome any hurdles. With our help, you’ll take control of your endometriosis naturally.

When women with endometriosis join MassAttack they find "their endometriosis healing secret." They feel better, look better, and they are much healthier. And this can happen for you.

Low Libido, Menopause and Womens Health

Why do women suffer from low libido? Is it hormones, weight gain or both? Let’s explore natural treatments that work.

Low libido; if you’re a woman and suffer from low sex drive or libido you are not alone. Research suggests that more than 40 per cent of women worldwide report lack of or low libido, making it the commonest female sexual complaint. Low libido in women is a very person and delicate topic, which is why many women don’t do anything about it. Or, they try to seek answers but are told there is not much you can do about it – it’s “normal”. But is low libido in women normal? I think not! Low libido is something that every woman should actively seek answers to. There are natural treatments for low libido that do work. It’s not as simple as a “magic pill” to increase libido, it’s about finding the answers to why your libido is so low, and tailoring a naturopathic treatment plan to rebalance these areas.

First of all, it is important to highlight that low libido is not necessarily a sexual ‘dysfunction’. For many women there are often very good reasons why a woman’s libido may be low, including underlying neurotransmitter weakness, hormonal imbalance, relationship disturbance, physical and emotional issues and stressful life circumstances. This is why finding the cause of your low libido is important – this way we can tailor a natural treatment plan that works!

Health conditions, environmental influences, neurotransmitters and hormonal imbalance can be the cause of low libido in women.

• PCOS
• Menopuase
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Thyroid problems
• Depression
• Anxiety

...All cause low libido in women.

Not sure if your hormones are using your low libido and making you fat?

Our FREE Online Health and Hormone check is a great place to start. Click here

So if you are looking for answers to increase your libido then read on. There is more to kick starting your libido than turning to food as a way to tickle the taste buds and spark up the libido. So before you rush to the grocery store, let’s take a closer look and see exactly what is it that makes your libido lose its mojo.

The number of women with low sex drive is staggering. Hormonal imbalance caused by Menopause, Fibroids, Endometriosis, PCOS and Thyroid imbalance can lead to problems with libido. These women may also experience feelings of isolation and distress that comes from Inhibited sexual desire.

So what causes Low Libido?

Primary low libido
Some women never experience much sexual desire from puberty onwards. This may be caused by neurotransmitter weakness, hormonal imbalance or a combination of both. So let’s take a quick glance at what these two areas are and how they impact your libido.

1) What is Neuro transmitter weakness?

Even though this sounds complicated in its basic form, it simply means you are exhausted and just too darn tired to engage in anything remotely energetic.

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released from nerve cells that communicate to other nerve cells to control major body functions including movement, emotional response and libido.

The most commonly known neurotransmitters are serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, and GABA and histamine.

Great you say, I’ll pop down to the pharmacy and ask for a kilo of it on the way to the grocery store ... it is a little more involved than that!

First of all let’s establish if this is where your libido’s lagging ...

Typical signs and symptoms of neuro transmitter weakness are:

• Irritability
• Depression
• Urine Frequency
• Dry mouth
• Do you have ringing in your ears?

It’s uncommon for a woman to have all of these symptoms. But two or more symptoms suggest that a lab test for blood histamine is in order.

So what can cause low levels?

• Binge drinking
• Dried fruits
• High copper levels – foods such as smoked fish, Soy flour, refined flour, dried.

Most importantly high levels of stress and the daily responsibilities and demands of juggling work and family, financial worries will deplete these important brain chemicals and make it hard enough to smile happily, much less to get in the mood for sex.

What tests are available for establishing exact levels?

Salivary Tests are available through registered practitioners and are designed to establish neurotransmitter imbalances. The great benefit of this is that once deficiencies are established, supplementation to balance the deficiencies becomes easy and your practitioner will be able to dispense a formulation specific to your individual requirements.

So now let’s explore the second major influence ...

2) What are hormones and how do they affect your libido?

Hormones carry messages from glands to cells to maintain chemical levels in the bloodstream that achieve balance or “homeostasis”. Testosterone is an hormone and is one of the key players in your sex drive: it affects interest, arousal, sexual response, lubrication and orgasm. And many women just don’t have enough testosterone.

So why is this so ...?

Firstly, before menopause, our testosterone comes primarily from our ovaries, via their production of progesterone. If your body levels of oestrogen (another hormone) are too high, your body’s production of progresterone will slow down causing testosterone levels to drop.
According to research, high levels of oestrogen may be caused from genetics diet and environmental pollutants. Many common prescription medications, including birth control pills can alter oestrogen levels and influence sexual desire.

Secondly, after menopause testosterone is sourced from the adrenals via the production of a hormone called DHEA.

If we’re under too much stress, though, the adrenals work overtime, favoring cortisol instead of DHEA production. This can lead to low testosterone levels and resultant low libido.

Unfortunately to make things a little more depressing, elevated cortisol levels contribute to weight gain around the middle ... something we can all do without!
Major contributors to hormonal imbalance are:

• Stress
• Depression
• Low thyroid
• Polycystic Ovarian disorder
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Menopause

What tests are available for establishing exact levels?

Salivary hormone test kits are a non-invasive way to assess hormone levels and function within the body - via analysis of a saliva sample and are available through registered practitioners.

The hormones tested provide information about the levels of the bio-available hormones that are active within your body. This information when considered in conjunction with other diagnosis techniques provides valuable information to evaluate the underlying causes of your low libido.

Secondary inhibited sexual desire

Other women enjoy significant levels of sexual desire only to lose interest due to the negative effects of physical, emotional, relationship, sexual and situational factors known as ‘desire inhibitors’.

By reducing or eliminating these inhibiting factors, libido can be boosted in these women. Common inhibitors of desire include fatigue, stress, depression, relationship problems and dissatisfying sexual activity. One of the best courses of action to overcome secondary inhibited sexual desire is to attend relationship counseling. After all, if you don’t like your partner why would you want to have sex with him?

What treatments are available for Lowered Libido?

Here is some great advice from Narelle Stegehuis ND, Leading Naturopath, Researcher, Health Consultant and Founder of Mass Attack. www.massattack.com.au

Firstly I have seen it all, over 10 years of treating and curing women with hormonal imbalances and neurotransmitter weaknesses.

I have treated hundreds of women who suffer from low libido ranging from early 20’s through to post menopause. Many of these women have dealt with this problem over a long period of time, often being told that there was nothing that could be done. Well ladies, there is!

“Symptoms like low libido are your body’s way of telling you there is a problem, ignoring them are not valuing yourself, as a woman or a lover”.

Establishing why you have a lowered sexual desire is the first place to start.

There are a number of options available to you for treatment, being a naturopath I believe strongly the importance of not masking symptoms but looking for the reasons why you feel that way. I then put in place a detailed treatment plan taking into consideration all the facets of your life, history, diet, lifestyle and hormone levels in your body. Also vital is ongoing individual support to get this back on track again.

Here are my steps to increasing your libido naturally

Step 1. Identify what factors and causes are contributing to your low libido.

Step 2. Change your diet to support healthy neurotransmitter and hormonal balance to increase libido.

Step 3. Implement a targeted nutritional treatment plan specifically tailored to your biochemical profile. To support healthy libido.

Step 4. Introduce targeted natural remedies to improve oestrogen , testosterone, progesterone and adrenal hormone balance.

Step 5. Access a professional support network that will guide and help you to change unhealthy lifestyle choices that contribute to your low libido.

While individual results will vary, most women will report significant improvement in libido in 6 to 8 weeks, with improvement in their associated symptoms in the first 2 to 4 weeks.

If you want to take action you can make these small improvements in the right places that improve your health and consequently improve your libido. Even better, you may even lose weight naturally in the process!

Research supports that without guided professional support 82% of women give up on implementing health changing programs. Which is why it is important to seek the guidance and support of a qualified health professional who can help and support you to overcome any obstacles that come your way, and remember they will have the years of experience to pull you through!

By applying my recommendations you will short-cut your success and enhance your chance of romance.

The best approach for you:

• Book in your FREE Online Naturopathic Review.
• Commit yourself to a comprehensive natural program with me that will include vitamins, herbs and minerals specifically chosen for you to balance your hormones and improve your libido.
• Make use of our support network made up of fully registered and accredited health professionals.

So many women have joined my natural program and been successful. The key is to learn the truth about hormones and the truth about the foods that can work against your libido and weight loss efforts.

Give me a call 1300 133 536 or visit my website www.massattack.com.au to get started!

Stress Anxiety and Depression cause weight gain in women

Did you realise that stress, anxiety and mood changes can lead to weight gain, not to mention a minefield of other problems?

Naturopath Narelle Stegehuis explores the little understood condition of adrenal burnout.

Do you remember how you used to feel? You were happy and well with steady energy and emotions. You slept soundly and woke up feeling rested. Your recovery from illness was fast. You maintained a healthy weight without dieting. Now your energy lags during the day, you feel emotionally unbalanced, suffer from anxiety, depression and you sleep poorly. You can't lose excess weight even while dieting. You use caffeine or carbohydrates as pick-me-ups. The message is clear - your adrenals are burnt out and you need help!

Everyone experiences mood variations - grumpiness, anxiety, or feelings of dejection. But adrenal imbalance and burnout creates havoc with moods.

One thing that won't rescue your mood is simply putting on a happy face and trying to will yourself into happiness. In fact, you may drive your darker feelings underground, re-emerging later as anxiety, anger, depression, or stress-related illness.

Life stages contribute greatly to stress levels. In our 20s and 30s, we are focused on career, starting a family and juggling financial burdens. In our 40s, life throws us the wild cards of ageing parents, relationship separations, career changes and challenges and, of course, raising children. It is little wonder by the time we reach our 50s dealing with loss for one sort or another, and children leaving home - we start to feel tired, frumpy and burnt out!

It is important to understand how stress affects our adrenals and ultimately our health. Adrenal Hypersensitivity simply means our adrenals have been, and perhaps still are, working overtime. Unlike our ancestors, we live with constant stress. Instead of occasional demands followed by rest, we're constantly overworked, exposed to environmental toxins and worrying about others - with no let-up. The effects of adrenal hypersensitivity can be profound.

It is important to change the way we think about our health. We can't just slap bandaids over your aches and pains, mood changes or ill health. This approach only leads to future health issues.

Ask yourself if you experience any of the following?

• Suppression of the immune system - always getting colds and flus?
• Fatigue and weakness
• Stubborn weight especially around your tummy and lower body?
• Moodiness, anxiety or depression
• Hormonal imbalance- irregular periods, skin problems or hair loss?
• Muscle and bone loss
• Autoimmune disorders
• Heightened menopausal symptoms - hot flashes

To find out if stress and anxiety is causing you to gain weight click here

Unfortunately, modern living can steal your sleep, slow your metabolism even harm your personal relationships. Every challenge to your mind and body creates a demand on your adrenal glands. The list of challenges is endless: lack of sleep, a demanding boss, the threat of losing your job, financial pressures, personality conflicts, yo-yo dieting, relationship turmoil, death or illness of a loved one, skipping meals, reliance on stimulants like caffeine and carbs, digestive problems, over-exercise, illness or infection, unresolved emotional issues from your past or present.

Your adrenal glands provide you with crucial hormonal support needed to get through the day with energy, enthusiasm and efficiency. Adrenal hypersensitivity means you are much more likely to suffer from fatigue, forgetfulness, mood swings and sleep disturbances. Living in the "fast" world of today exposes you to unavoidable levels of stress - and with that stress comes elevated cortisol levels.

When functioning normally, cortisol helps you meet these challenges by converting proteins into energy, releasing glycogen and counteracting inflammation. For a short time, that's okay. But at sustained high levels, cortisol gradually tears your body down.

Sustained high cortisol has a range of insidious effects. It destroys healthy muscle and bone; slows down healing and normal cell replacement; co-opts biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones; impairs digestion, metabolism and mental function; weakens your immune system; and interferes with healthy endocrine function contributing to conditions such as heightened menopause, poor fertility, thyroid imbalance and ovarian imbalances such as PCOS, fibroids and endometriosis. The fact that we have heard of so many of these conditions - and maybe even suffer some of them ourselves - indicates the prevalence of high cortisol levels in our super-stressed world.

In our 20s to 40s, stress can interfere with our menstrual cycle.

Many women consider PMS to be just part of life, as it affects an estimated 75 per cent of menstruating women. For some, this "time of the month" actually rules their lives - and the lives of their partners and families. Others are unaware that they might be experiencing it. Despite its prevalence and the awful symptoms this syndrome can bring, traditional medicine falls far short of providing successful remedies.

Contributing factors to PMS are ovarian imbalances such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS, fibroids, cysts, endometriosis or oestrogen dominance. And yes, such conditions are all influenced by stress.

Book for a Free Naturopathic Review click here

Some symptoms to look for are:
• Lowly moods or mood shifts
• Weight gain and fluctuations
• Anxiety or tension
• Feeling "out of control"
• Irritability, anger
• Lowered libido
• Concentration difficulties
• Lethargy, general loss of energy
• Appetite change, food cravings
• Sleep problems (too little or too much)
• Physical symptoms (bloating, breast tenderness, pain)

Your adrenals can even change your body shape! If you have been under stress, it is most likely that you have gained weight and experienced a change in your body shape. You may also have noticed your waistline thickening. One of the underlying reasons for this change, particularly in your 40s, is that women in their midlife period experience a slowdown in metabolic rate of about 10-15 per cent compared to when they were younger. Your body also becomes more efficient at taking energy into your cells and storing it in the form of fat. In addition, as oestrogen levels fall, your appetite increases!

To make things even harder, by the time you hit menopause your adrenal glands have had it! Absolutely hit the wall! Let's face it - you have heard it all, seen it all and experienced levels of stress you never thought possible - and survived. But through all this, your adrenals have taken a hiding.

So what's the concern? Your adrenal glands are important in the long-term maintenance of your hormone levels. They increase production of androstenedione (the precursor to oestrogen and testosterone) and progesterone. Therefore, the systematic functioning of your adrenal glands is important.

One of the main ways you can support your adrenal glands is by ensuring your diet is completely meeting your body's needs. Which brings us to that persistent and depressing - Tummy Bulge!

One of cortisol's many functions is that it stimulates the release of glucose, fats and amino acids for energy production. It will also keep your appetite stimulated. In addition, the type of fat that accumulates because of this stress-induced appetite will typically locate itself in the abdominal region of your body. Stress contributes to weight gain primarily because of an excess secretion of the key stress hormone cortisol, along with a reduced secretion of the key hormone Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA. DHEA is a steroid hormone synthesised from cholesterol and secreted by your adrenal glands.

Adrenal hypersensitivity is often a critical factor in many related conditions including:
• Polycystic ovaries (PCOS)
• Lowered thyroid function
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Arthritis
• Premature menopause
• Impaired fertility

It's time to value your health and overcome stress and anxiety.

Many of us tend to regard stress as a normal part of life we simply have to deal with as well as we can. It is important to learn how to incorporate stress management, exercise, nutrition and dietary supplements into a realistic approach to controlling cortisol levels. I am certain that once you gain insight into the relationship between modern stressors, your cortisol level and its effects on your long-term health, you will be motivated to get your cortisol levels under control.
Often over time we lose interest in food. It becomes "just another thing to do". Reassess your relationship with it. Try not to worry about food, or feel guilty about what you've eaten or what you are planning to eat.

It is important to adopt and achieve a diet that supports your lifestyle - one that doesn't eliminate food groups but focuses on a formula that works for you! It should foster a passion in you to cook and take pleasure in food - choose flavoursome meals that are spirited and nourishing.
Dietary changes such as reducing MSG, excess sugars and cola drinks can greatly improve adrenal performance. Even the reduction of coffee and alcohol can substantially assist with a symptom like anxiety.

Targeted nutrients prescribed by a practitioner, along with dietary changes can do wonders. Herbs such as Winter cherry, Licorice and Ginseng and the amino acid Tyrosine, along with Vitamins B5 and B6, are well documented to support healthy adrenal function.

Remember, your health reflects the way you live - so isn't it time you started making some healthy changes?

Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of MassAttack, is a practicing Naturopath specializing in the research and development of natural treatment programs for women with hormonal imbalances, which have contributed to such symptoms as weight gain, cravings, anxiety and mood swings. Uniquely for patient convenience her programs are also offered via the Internet. She is both an accomplished wrier and recent recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award 2006. Narelle can be contacted at info@massattack.com.au

Lose Weight With Natural Slimming Plan

"Why am I overweight?"I hear this question every day in practice. And no wonder, given many women struggle with their weight especially around their waist and hips - even if they’re dieting!

Why is this struggle to lose weight happening to us? Why are we losing the battle against weight gain, despite our best efforts? The answer lies in the poorly understood links between hormonal balance and body fat.

But ladies, before we explore these links, let’s firstly put a basic myth to rest – weight control is not just a matter of calorie control and exercise. This myth is untrue, outdated and misleading. It’s time to change our thinking when it comes to weight loss and work together as a team to change an industry which has caused many women to suffer unnecessarily.

Honey, it’s your hormones and you can lose weight naturally!

Understanding insulin, metabolism & body fat is the first step to winning your battle against weight. For many of us, a conventional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, with lots of processed foods such as pasta, breads, muesli bars, beer and wine, etc. is the norm. Over time, this diet commonly creates a condition known as insulin resistance. The problem with this is that when you are insulin resistant, your body converts every calorie you consume into fat - even if you’re dieting. And it won't let you burn fat when you exercise.

To Find Out If Your Hormones Are Making You Fat Click Here

The second step is the link between stress and body fat. Stress hormones block your weight loss attempts despite eating seemingly ok foods. During prolonged periods of stress your body thinks it should store every spare calorie as fat. Which for most of us, we know it does a very good job at! The problem is, most women are under tremendous amounts of stress – work, relationships, finances & motherhood all add to prolonged levels and without let-up. This leads to adrenal fatigue and rapid, stubborn weight gain.

These first two links work together. Many of us are guilty of combining a high-stress life with a low-fat, high-carb diet. Unfortunately, this creates such a powerful hormonal imbalance that weight gain is unavoidable. A third link is estrogen. As the estrogen production of your ovaries falls, (it’s something that happens as we age) - your body turns to secondary production sites, including body fat and skin. If your body is struggling to maintain its hormonal balance, body fat becomes more valuable, so it becomes reluctant to give it up! Of course, if you are stressed and on a low-fat diet, your body is struggling & it becomes even harder to lose weight.

A fourth link is the cravings created by our ‘refined food’ chain. Refined foods make it difficult for your body to maintain optimal blood sugar and serotonin levels. This means you ‘crave’ snacks and caffeine to make yourself feel better. The down side of this cycle is that they only exacerbate your insulin resistance and adrenal exhaustion - while adding body fat.

My philosophy on weight control is based on solid research & what has worked in my practice over the last 10 years. It is this knowledge that we wish to share with you.

You can’t lose weight to get healthy - you have to get healthy before you can lose weight. By healing your body and restoring balance in your life, you will achieve and maintain your ideal weight forever.

Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of MassAttack, is a practicing Naturopath specializing in the research and development of natural treatment programs for women with hormonal imbalances, which have contributed to such symptoms as weight gain, cravings, anxiety and mood swings. Uniquely for patient convenience her programs are also offered via the Internet. She is both an accomplished wrier and recent recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award 2006. Narelle can be contacted at info@massattack.com.au

Coffee, weight loss and stress

Java drinkers beware. The morning staple is now believed to not only have addictive qualities, but it also may lead to diabetes, insulin resistance & weight gain.

Something that every good (and bad) woman can do without!

Researchers have shown a daily dose of caffeine raises blood sugar levels by 8%, potentially impairing glucose metabolism. The US findings backed up a growing body of research suggesting that eliminating caffeine might be a good way to help manage Syndrome X & Type 2 Diabetes – two major contributors to weight gain, especially around the middle! Umm … so that’s where those muffin tops come from. It’s not only the croissant, but the latte too!

This of course is even worse news for women suffering from hormonal imbalances such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is the leading cause of weight gain, effecting 1 in 5 Australian women.

Since it is such a common drink, we forget that coffee contains a very powerful drug – caffeine.

One way to help lower blood sugar & lose weight is to simply quit drinking coffee. Yes it’s true; all good things must come to an end … eventually.

The good news is, if you eliminate other poor food choices that you can easily live without, you may just be able to sneak that little latte in without doing too much damage!

Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of MassAttack, is a practicing Naturopath specializing in the research and development of natural treatment programs for women with hormonal imbalances, which have contributed to such symptoms as weight gain, cravings, anxiety and mood swings. Uniquely for patient convenience her programs are also offered via the Internet. She is both an accomplished writer and recent recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award 2006. Narelle can be contacted at info@massattack.com.au