Brad Parkinson Naturopath

This is a discussion I had with fellow Naturopath Shannon Burford, on how metabolic disease plays a significant role in the cause and exacerbation of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and some tips on what you can do about it.

Eliminating PCOS - insidious hormonal disruption and what you can do about it In this video, I discuss PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) with fellow Functional Medicine practitioner and Integrative Naturopath Shannon Burford. We discu...

It's great to see foods that can benefit gut health make such a positive impact in other areas of health. In this study, Prunes improved Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in Postmenopausal women.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that daily prune consumption preserved bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and protected against increased fracture risk in postmenopausal women.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University conducted a 12-month randomised controlled trial to test the effects of daily consumption of 50 g (5 to 6 prunes) and 100 g (10 to 12 prunes) of prunes on BMD in 235 postmenopausal women. Results indicated that women who consumed 50 g of prunes a day for one year maintained hip BMD while those in the control group who ate no prunes lost significant bone mass at the hip. There was a very high dropout rate in the 100 g group, indicating that consuming this amount daily is probably not practical for most women.

Further, hip fracture risk increased in the control group while those who consumed both 50 and 100 g of prunes experienced no increase in hip fracture risk.
“Our data support the use of prunes to protect the hip from bone loss post menopause. Indeed, these data may be especially valuable for postmenopausal women who cannot take pharmacological therapy to combat bone loss and need an alternative strategy”, said Principal Investigator Mary Jane De Souza, PhD, FACSM, Distinguished Professor, Pennsylvania State University.

Previous clinical trials in postmenopausal women have shown the promising effects that daily prune consumption can have on preventing bone loss. This new study represents a milestone in prune research as it is the largest clinical trial to date.

For more information see:
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/960175

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35798020/

A great post by Herbalist Professor Kerry Bone, highlighting the benefits of beetroot juice for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

I have long advocated my microcirculation dietary protocol that includes beetroot juice. Its boost to microvascular function should improve several body functions via the increased production of nitric oxide.

Recently, daily consumption of beetroot juice for 12 weeks was found to significantly improve blood pressure, vascular function and exercise capacity in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“This is one of the longest-duration studies in this area so far. The results are very promising, but will need to be confirmed in larger, longer-term studies” said Professor Nick Hopkinson the study lead.

COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a serious lung condition affecting around 400 million people worldwide. It causes breathing difficulties and severely limits capacity for physical activity. It also increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The new research tested a 12-week course of a concentrated beetroot juice supplement that was high in nitrate (400 mg) against a beetroot juice placebo that looked and tasted the same, but had the nitrate removed. It included 81 people with COPD who were being treated at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK,
Professor Hopkinson commented: “There is some evidence that beetroot juice as a source of nitrate supplementation could be used by athletes to improve their performance, as well as a few short-term studies looking at blood pressure. Higher levels of nitrate in the blood can increase the availability of nitric oxide, a chemical that helps blood vessels relax. It also increases the efficiency of muscles, meaning they need less oxygen to do the same work.”

Researchers found that those taking the nitrate-rich supplement experienced an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 4.5 mmHg compared to the placebo. There was also an average increase of around 30 metres in how far patients could walk in six minutes.

Plasma nitric oxide (NOx) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) data were available for 24 patients in the active group and 20 in the placebo group; plasma NOx increased from baseline in the treatment group, but not the placebo group, and the increase in FeNO was significantly greater from baseline in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. Beneficial changes in endothelial function, consistent with the increased NOx, were also observed.

No significant changes were noted between the groups in terms of platelet aggregation.

For more information see:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38123239/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/250376/beetroot-juice-lowers-blood-pressure-people/ #:~:text=An%20Imperial%20led%20study%20has,in%20the%20European%20Respiratory%20Journal.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/beetroot-juice-improves-fitness-and-function-patients-copd-2023a1000wzt

Let's get serious (hence the intensely serious pic) about health in 2024. If you've been putting off healthy lifestyle choices or you have been tolerating substandard health, now is the time to turn your health around. Don't hesitate any longer. Start feeling better about your health today. Get outdoors, move, breathe the fresh air, and catch up with positive people that make you feel good.

If you require guidance and support with your health journey, don't hesitate to reach out and get in contact or make an appointment. Click here for an appointment: https://www.bradparkinson.com.au/bookings

In this video, I have a discussion about IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) with fellow Functional Medicine practitioner and Integrative Naturopath Shannon Burford. We discuss the signs & symptoms of IBS, the sudden onset of IBS, what can trigger IBS, and more specifically what foods can trigger IBS, and what you should eat when you are managing IBS symptoms. Also, we give you some tips on how to alleviate IBS symptoms - Shannon has a great affordable treatment recommendation too!

How to Manage IBS – Hidden Triggers, Irritating Foods and a really affordable Treatment! In this video, I have a discussion about IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) with fellow Functional Medicine practitioner and Integrative Naturopath Shannon Burfo...

In this video, I cover the Naturopathic Principles and how they can be applied in clinical practice. I also share some insights that can benefit you when deciding the best course of action to take when considering treatments.

Optimize Your Well-being with Naturopathic Principles - Nutrition & Functional Medicine Clinical Naturopath Brad Parkinson discusses Fundamental Naturopathic Principles, how they relate to clinical practice and how they can be utilised to improv...

A promising result for vitamin D supplementation from a Randomised Control Trial. However, should we be relying on supplementation for our children or exposing them to more sunlight at the appropriate times?

Can Vitamin D reduce the risk of Psychiatric Symptoms in Childhood? — Brad Parkinson This randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that administering higher-dose vitamin D3 supplementation (1,200 IU/day) to newborns for the first 2 years can significantly reduce the risk of internalizing problems in later childhood.

Over time, there have been numerous concerns regarding the impact of fluoride exposure on the brain. In a recent systematic review conducted by Veneri et al. (2023), the authors explored the correlation between the quantity of fluoride exposure and children's intelligence. After analyzing 33 studies, the researchers discovered that children with higher fluoride exposure had lower IQ scores compared to those with lower exposure.

Can fluoride compromise the development of the brain and lead to a decrease in the IQ of children? — Brad Parkinson In a recent systematic review conducted by Veneri et al. (2023), the authors explored the correlation between the quantity of fluoride exposure and children's intelligence. After analyzing 33 studies, the researchers discovered that children with higher fluoride exposure had lower IQ scores compared

❗️FACT CHECK❗️

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🔍 Check: 🔬ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3435154/

❗️Watch for Triclosan-Free products❗️

For more information, follow our campaign on social media, & check out:
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🩺 Contact your or as needed.

Cyberchondria (Self-diagnoses from the internet) is a modern condition that is a growing concern and can cause a great deal of stress for those suffering from it. There is no exact science to determine what spurs cyberchondria, but here are a few risk factors:
- Recent experience of severe illness.
- Free misinformation and sad stories on social media.
- Low self-esteem.
- Inclined to worry.
The below post goes into more depth and is definitely worth a read, especially if you haven't done a digital detox in a while.

Discovering a ‘Modern’ Condition: How to Prevent Cyberchondria Ever felt the urge to open your laptop to check what is causing sudden, mild chest pain? Ever googled what the symptoms of a serious medical condition are after

Saccharin and acesulfame potassium (ACE-K) have been bad news, for various reasons, for some time. Stevia compounds are often extracted. The whole herb would be a better option. However, any sweeteners, including monk fruit and erythritol, two commonly used in recent years, shouldn't be used in excess. The healthiest option is to become accustomed to various tastes, especially bitters which can improve your digestion.

Horrifying – New Study Indicates That Popular Sugar Substitutes Worsen Your Memory Using laboratory models, scientists discovered that ingesting FDA-approved levels of saccharin, ACE-K, and stevia early in life may result in many changes to the body, including brain areas linked to memory and reward-motivated behavior. Early-life high-sugar diets have been linked to impaired br

Optimal Health = A Healthy Microbiome

Brad Parkinson - Naturopath Penrith on Google The GI Map test is the most comprehensive stool analysis test currently available, covering a large, diverse range of pathogens and gut bacteria. If you are dealing with digestive issues, anxiety and depression, skin flare-ups, or have autoimmunity, then understanding exactly what's going on with yo...

A new study found that potassium-rich diets were associated with lower blood pressure, particularly in women with high salt intake.
If you cannot reduce your salt intake by reducing the intake of processed foods, it's good to know you can add foods such as fruit and vegetables, pulses, fish, nuts and seeds to improve your cardiovascular health.

Bananas and salmon help counter effect of salt in women’s diet, study finds Research links potassium-rich foods to lower blood pressure – particularly in women with high salt intake

A food additive commonly found in ice cream, E415 also known as Xanthan gum, has been shown to affect our gut microbiota. New research shows the ability to digest xanthan gum is surprisingly common in the human gut microbiota in the industrialized world. Xanthan gum is considered a keto-friendly product because it is believed that xanthan is not digested by the body and therefore it doesn't count in the daily calorie intake. However, gut bacteria break down xanthan gum into monosaccharides, which are fermented to produce short-chain fatty acids, supplying up to 10 per cent of calories to humans.

Widely used food additive affects the human gut microbiota Have you heard about the food additive E415? It is also known as xanthan gum. Most likely, you eat it several times a week. Xanthan gum is used in everyday foods such as baked goods, ice cream and salad dressings. The additive is also widely used as a substitute for gluten in gluten-free foods.

For those on a Vegan diet, this is an excellent article to read regarding vitamin B12 and food sources. Thanks to my friend and Naturopath colleague, Tara, for writing this informative piece.

Do mushrooms contain enough Vitamin B12? I The Vegan Naturopath Vitamin B12 plays an important role in mood, memory and nerve function and needs to be well consider in a plant based diet. Can you get enough Vitamin B12 by eating mushrooms? How do you get Vitamin B12 on a vegan diet?

Researchers have found that omega-3 levels in red blood cells are very good mortality risk predictors. Having higher levels of these acids in the blood, as a result of regularly including oily fish in the diet, increases life expectancy by almost five years.

Higher Levels of Omega-3 in the Blood Increase Life Expectancy by Almost Five Years A 1% increase in this substance in the blood is associated with a change in mortality risk similar to that of quitting smoking. Levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood are as good a predictor of mortality from any cause as smoking, according to a study involving the Hospital del Mar Medical Re

I am now taking bookings again. Currently, it is only for online Telehealth Zoom consultations on Saturdays. However, more days and in-person consultations will become available at a yet to be determined Brisbane location, announced in late 2021.

Bookings — Brad Parkinson Brad Parkinson is a gut health expert with expertise in various health conditionsincluding digestive disorders & autoimmune disease.

Brad Parkinson Naturopath updated their phone number.

A new dietary supplement could help restore the gut bacteria of malnourished kids, helping them to gain weight and grow up healthy.

Researchers created a new dietary supplement from locally available ingredients, including chickpeas, soy flour, peanuts, green bananas, oil and sugar. Compared with children given a standard treatment for malnutrition, children given the new supplement put on weight and gained height at a faster rate. F***l samples from these children showed that their gut bacteria better matched those of healthy kids by the end of the trial.

Tweaking the gut bacteria of malnourished kids could help them grow A recent clinical trial suggests that a new dietary supplement could help restore the gut bacteria of malnourished kids, helping them to gain weight and grow up healthy.

This is an excellent counterargument to the lab leak theory, by virologists Angela L. Rasmussen and Stephen A. Goldstein. Will, we ever determine the origin of SARS-CoV-2?

Perspective | We may never know where the virus came from. But evidence still suggests nature. Labs like the one in Wuhan are essential to preparing for future pandemics

Great reporting once again from Saagar. Take a look if you are interested in the origin of our current viral pandemic. The USA is just as accountable as China.

Saagar Enjeti: Lab-Leak Hypothesis Could Reveal EPIC Screwup Of US, Fauci AND China Saagar Enjeti breaks down the latest updates in the COVID lab-leak story.About Rising: Rising is a weekday morning show with bipartisan hosts that breaks the...

Hi Everyone. I have recently relocated to Brisbane and am only doing online consultations for the time being. I am currently booked out and am hoping to have more availability by the end of April. I hope you all have a safe, happy Easter with your friends and family. Warm Regards, Brad Parkinson.

This new study reveals that caffeine could permanently impact neurodevelopment. I already caution coffee consumption in my pregnant patients. The research clearly shows that caffeine can have a negative effect on pregnancy. The fetus does not have the enzyme necessary to breakdown caffeine when it crosses the placenta.

Brain Changed by Caffeine In Utero - Neuroscience News A new study links caffeine consumption during pregnancy to changes in important brain pathways that help regulate behavior in children.