Be Healthy with Joan Goldsmith

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Welcome to BeHealthy Naturopathic Clinic

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About your Practitioner

Joan Goldsmith has been a Naturopath for more than 27 years, and has a wealth of experience, yet she certainly doesn’t rest on her laurels. Joan specializes in detox programs and immune system problems. Each year Joan heads off to attend extra classes, making sure that she is not only up-to-date with the latest research, but so that she can offer her patients the best possible advice and skills.

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Mucosal Immunity and Chronic Disease

What is mucosal Immunity?

The mucosal immune system plays a powerful role in the progression of many pathologies, and the therapeutic manipulation of mucosal immunity can have dramatic effects on the production of local and systemic inflammatory processes.

Approximately 70% of the immune system is localised in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal mucosa is a vast interface between the body and the environment (approximately 200 times the surface area of the skin) and it is the main entry site for many environmental toxins and antigens.

The mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) governs the mucosal immunity. The MALT is comprised of many compartments of lymphoid tissue including the gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), tonsils, Waldeyer's pharyngeal ring, nasal associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) such as the adenoids, and bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). The GALT constitutes the major part of the MALT and is comprised of the Peyer's patches, the appendix, and numerous solitary lymphoid follicles especially in the large bowel. The GALT is responsible for determining what is noxious and what is safe. It must constantly distinguish harmless antigens that are present in food or on commensal bacteria from pathogenic assault by microbes.

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Conditions Associated with Mucosal Immune Dysfunction

Chronic low-grade inflammation:

• Cardiovascular disease


• Dementia


• Hormonal problems including menopause, endocrine diseases including diabetes and obesity


• Hypothalmus-Pituitary-Adrenal hypersensitivity related conditions – depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

Chronic inflammatory conditions:

• Autoimmune conditions (both Th1 and Th2)


• Inflammatory bowel diseases


• Allergies

Gut factors drive immunity

The mucosal immune system is strongly influenced by the gastrointestinal environment and the nature of antigen exposure. Antigen presenting cells (APC) are key regulators of immune activity. These cells monitor the gastrointestinal environment and determine the eventual T-helper response.

When an antigen presenting cell receives antigens, it delivers it to specific cells and activates the innate immune response. The innate immune response is composed mainly of macrophages and these cells are the principal producers of cytokines. It is the balance of these cytokines that signals the naive T helper cells to differentiate into Th1, Th2, or Th3 cells. The direction of polarisation of the immune response depends on the presence of cytokines and exposure to innocuous or infectious antigens in the gut. A critical activator of innate immunity, and therefore T-helper activity are commensal gut flora.

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The role of probiotics in mucosal immunity

Probiotics are live microorganisms that populate our gastrointestinal tract and confer a health benefit by altering the intestinal microflora. Probiotics are able to modify our mucosal immune response by regulating the cytokines that control T-helper cell ratios. The exact nature of the gut bacteria appear to be very important in the regulation of T-helper cell activity. With an understanding of mucosal immune processes, we can integrate new paradigms involved with the regulation of mucosal immunity.
Exciting new research indicates how different species and strains within the same species can have vastly different effects on the innate and adaptive immune response and therefore the ability to alter the immune response of the individual.

High Potency Probiotic Powder plus Probioplex and Oligosaccharides is a probiotic supplement containing high potency, therapeutic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCFM strain), and Bifidobacterium lactis (BBL), with fructo-oligosaccharides and probioplexTM to boost the number, growth, and adherence of beneficial intestinal bacteria. An excellent supplement for restoring and maintaining the important probiotic balance of beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Adequate mucosal immunity is essential to maintain homeostasis within the local and systemic immune system and inflammatory cascades. Therefore, it is essential to enhance the correct functioning of the mucosal immunity and induce oral tolerance in order to improve clinical results when treating conditions associated with immune dysregulation and inflammation.

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How do I achieve Vitality, Longevity and Healthy Aging (VLA)?

Your Practitioner is one of a select group of Healthcare Professionals who have received extensive training in maximising healthy ageing and improving vitality, making them ideally suited to help you achieve your goals. Your Practitioner uses a scientifically validated test known as Biological Impedance Analysis (BIA), which assists them to design a program specifically for your needs. Nutritional supplements, exercise recommendations and dietary advice will be provided, giving your body the building blocks for maximum health and energy.

What is Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA)?

BIA is a science that was originally developed for monitoring patients after surgery in a hospital setting. Your Practitioner will connect leads to your hands and feet and pass a low voltage electrical current through your body. This is safe and painless, and provides your Practitioner with insight into aspects of your health such as how much fat and muscle that you have in your body. BIA can also help your Practitioner to monitor your cellular health and energy levels.

Who wants more vitality?

Your Practitioner is the best person to advise you if this approach is appropriate for you. They will take into account your health and goals and design a program to maximise your energy and ensure that your body is ageing as healthily as possible. Call a Practitioner today to discuss if this is the best program for you. Find your nearest Practitioner using the 'Find a Practitioner' section of this website.

People who may benefit from the Vitality, Longevity and Healthy Ageing program include those who want to:

• Manage their weight more effectively
  
• Increase muscle tone and fitness
  
• Improve energy levels
  
• Age healthily
  
• Support the nutrition and health of their body

What will I receive?

Your Practitioner will assess your health, perform a quick BIA test and then design a strategy to improve key areas. They will also monitor your results over time, so that you can see how your health is improving. Your health is your greatest asset – discuss what you can do to optimise this with your Practitioner today.

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HemaviewTM
HemaviewTM is a form of live blood screening that may help your Practitioner improve your health more effective. HemaviewTM is a form of live blood screening that may help your Practitioner improve your health more effectively than ever before.

Using only one or two drops of your blood, your Practitioner will use HemaviewTM to investigate the size, shape and ratios of the red cells, white cells and platelets in your blood.
You may have had blood tests before, but nothing compares to seeing your own blood live on screen in front of you.

Just look at the results
HemaviewTM Practitioners are fully trained to screen your blood and explain how different aspects of what they see may relate to your health.

Your Practitioner will work with you to develop a dietary and lifestyle plan to improve your health. Not only will you feel the difference, but with HemaviewTM you can see changes in your blood as your treatment progresses.

Customised Report
Your Practitioner can provide you with a customised computer report on the key features in your blood. This includes photos of your blood, information on the importance of these features for your health, and recommendations on how you can improve your health status. Best of all you can keep a record of your progress and see how your blood picture improves over time!

Accurate & Reliable
HemaviewTM is based on the medical science of hematology. It provides an accurate and immediate indication of the state of your general health. HemaviewTM can help your Practitioner assess you for the following factors:

• Poor nutrition
  
• Immune system health
  
• Oxidative stress and free radical damage
  
• Inflammation
  
• Liver health

HemaviewlM lets you take an active part in managing and understanding your health. Through a viewing of your living blood, your Practitioner may be able to develop more effective health strategies tailor- made for you. Ask your Practitioner how your health might be improved through the use of HemaviewTM.