Cenacle Treatment Centre

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s)

What are EFA’s?
These are fats that are essential to the body’s optimum functioning. They cannot be made by the body so must be obtained from the food we eat.
The main EFA’s are:
•    Omega-3
•    Omega-6
•    Omega-9 (non-essential as the body can make some as long as it has plenty of Omega 3 & 6).

Why do we need EFA’s?
They have a large number of roles within the body, including:
•    They generate and maintain the fatty membranes which surround every body cell.
•    They are important for memory and brain function.
•    They help maintain healthy hair, skin and nails.
•    They are essential for maintaining a healthy hormone balance, good eyesight and a strong immune system.
•    They offer protection against heart disease by helping to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides. They increase the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and decrease the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.
•    They can be converted into prostaglandins which help transmit important information vital for controlling inflammatory reactions and activity of the immune cells.

Food for behaviour and brain function

Patterns of behaviour and brain function are largely influenced by diet.
There is increasing evidence to suggest t hat poor diet can lead to poor behaviour and learning disabilities amongst children.
The most common problems arising today include:

•    ADHD
•    Hyperactivity
•    Autism
•    Dyslexia

Not only do these have a negative impact on the individual’s personal development, they also cause a disturbance in family life, the classroom and society at large.

ADHD/HYPERACTIVITY

Characterised by 3 major problems:

•    Lack of attention
•    Hyperactivity
•    Act on impulse

It is estimated that five percent of school aged children in England and Wales have ADHD. This is the equivalent of three hundred and sixty seven thousand.
This means that in an average class of thirty children, one or two will present with ADHD.
The incidence amongst boys is greater than girls.

What is sugar sensitivity

People who are sensitive to sugar almost always have low levels of the neurotransmitters seretonin and beta endorphins. Serotonin helps to regulate mood, impulse control and appetite and so low levels can lead to compulsive tendencies, depression and irritability and creates a biochemical disposition towards sugar addiction.

The consumption of sugar evokes beta-endorphins, which are natural painkillers and that can create a sense of euphoria. They also determine pain tolerance, self esteem and confidence in individuals. So the sugar sensitive person gets an actual high when they ave something sweet and will often find it impossible to stop at one biscuit; they have to have the whole packet.

Cost of health Products

With the rising obesity epidemic, increasingly large numbers of people are spending huge amounts of money on so called “health” products that advertise themselves as aiding weight loss. In reality they are proving to be ineffective

A new EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices has been adopted this year in the UK and it is hoped it will help prevent consumers spending money on these useless food products in an attempt to prevent their disease. Although it is illegal for unsubstantiated claims to be made on the nutritional functions of food products, many benefits are still implied through use of brand names and packaging images even with no evidence.

Consumers are easily tempted to part with huge amounts of money in an attempt to help curb their problem. It is hoped (Lean 2008) that this new EU directive will put a halt to this practice.

Size zero and infertility link

Professor Brian Lieberman from Manchester Fertility Services has recently highlighted the risks to a woman’s fertility by following the latest trend to become a ‘size 0’ in an attempt to mimic celebrities who are exceptionally thin.

Women with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 19 are at risk of irregular or absent periods which can result in infertility as ovulation ceases. In addition it can also lead to osteoporosis. A certain amount of body fat is required to store and produce oestrogen, essential for fertility.
This is reversible with adequate weight gain to achieve a healthy BMI of 19-25.

OBESITY – meeting the challenge

Obesity is a major health problem in the 21^st century both across the UK and worldwide. It is defined as a body mass index equal to or over 30kg/m2 (Health Survey for England 2006).

According to the government’s foresight report (2007), by the year 2050 sixty percent of men and fifty percent of women in the UK could be obese due to ‘passive obesity’ – a state in which the effects of modern living overpower biological control of body weight. The result is that every generation becomes heavier than the previous one.

Almonds – the miracle nut

Scientists in Boston found the following benefits:
1    Reduced levels of bad “LDL” cholesterol (similar to the effects of taking a statin if seventy five grams are eaten daily over a four month period)
2    Reduction in “oxidative stress” – a process which results in clogged arteries
3    Helps beat cancer and ageing due to their high antioxidant content.

Other benefits include:

1    High in fibre
2    High in Essential fatty acids
3    High in protein
4    Rich source of B vitamins and vitamin E
5    Contain minerals iron, calcium, copper, zinc, selenium, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium

If such a dose is to be eaten daily one needs to watch overall calorific intake as nuts are relatively high in calories.

Liver Disease is fifth largest killer in U.K

A research study published last week reports that forty percent, of over a thousand people who had their liver function tested showed high levels of enzymes, known to be an indicator of increased liver failure leading to death.With liver failure, symptoms only appear once significant liver damage has occurred and cannot be reversed.

Liver disease is the fifth largest killer in the UK and still on the increase. It is responsible for seven thousand five hundred deaths per year but is also almost completely preventable.

 

Cartoon character advertising fails to promote healthy eating.

 A Which? Report suggests cartoon characters on food and in advertising fail to promote healthy eating amongst children and may even contribute to the high levels of obesity. Dairylea chicken ‘n’ cheese wraps contain high levels of fat and Tony the Tiger’s Frosties contain a third sugar. Coco the Monkey (coco pops) and Monster (sugar puffs) are also very high in sugar.

 Whilst some characters have been around since before the obesity epidemic, the increasing use of cartoon characters on food packaging can promote unhealthy eating habits amongst children, many of which are hard to break in later life.

 Breakfast cereals can be very misleading and often the highest in sugar content.

Healthy alternative breakfast ideas include

• Porridge/milk

• Boiled eggs and wholemeal toast
• Low sugar/salt baked beans on toast
• Wheat based cereal with fresh fruit added.

 

Packed lunches based on convenience foods are often very high I salt, sugar and fat. Instead try:

• Sandwiches made using cooked chicken, tinned fish, cream cheese, hummus, hard boiled egg. Add strips of peppers, carrot, cherry tomatoes, dried fruit in the lunch box for added fibre, minerals and vitamins.

• Cold pizza or Spanish omelette can be eaten with salad

• Pasta or rice salad can be eaten using left over ingredients from tea the night before with added chicken, ham, tuna and salad ingredients.

• Fresh fruit and low sugar yoghurt provides a healthier pudding than cakes and biscuits

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Fish may reduce eczema risk in children

New research from Sweden suggests that the inclusion of fish in an infant’s diet before the age of nine months may reduce the risk of eczema by up to twenty five percent.
Nearly five thousand babies were studied and although not conclusive there appears to be a link between the inclusion of omega three fats in the diet and a significant reduction in the occurrence of eczema.

Omega three fats can be found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, fresh tuna, trout, herring, sardines, pilchards. Olive oil, safflower and corn oil also supply omega three fats.Aim to eat two to three portions per week but limit tuna to once a week due to its high mercury content.Omega three fats reduce inflammation and redness associated with eczema.