A recent meta-analysis looking at 14 trials involving 1030 women again showed that acupuncture and Chinese herbs can alleviate the symptoms that come with perimenopause and menopause.
The study in 2020 reaffirmed that while periods may cease, it doesn’t have to be a time of pain, discomfort, hot sweats, mood swings and insomnia.

What is interesting to note here is the almost constant use of Da Huang in each formula. Da Huang is a Chinese herb that causes the bowel to move more regularly. Why is this important?

When you go to the toilet you take toxins, excess hormones and other contributors of inflammation out of the body. If you are not getting enough fibre and/or don’t move regularly enough then this just builds up and makes the overall symptoms a lot worse. So getting sufficient fibre is very important and often we’ll either add Da Huang to the chinese herbal formula we individually tailor for the patient or get patients on extra fibre intake to make up for the lack of it in the western diet.

So, if you want to know more or want to address your symptoms please contact us or make an appointment to see one of our practitioners.

Also, if you want to read my own personal experience of the peri-menopause please see

https://benbiao.com.au/2020/10/29/what-the-menopause-was-to-me/

 

Acupoint stimulation and Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Com The Clin Prac.2020 Nov 41, 10122

I know what you’re thinking – ‘’we’re in a pandemic, give me a break! Eating healthy is too hard to think about at the moment! I need to treat myself!’’ However, I’m here to tell you that it’s exactly a pandemic which should make you want to focus on your nutrition. Hear me out…

What you consume is the steppingstone between you and your ability to cope with stress, anxiety and overwhelm. When you’re nutritionally depleted, your body’s stress response mechanism cannot adapt to stressful triggers as efficiently (1), your brain cannot operate optimally (2) and your hormones and neurotransmitters cannot be synthesised let alone function. Without adequate nutrition your gut bacteria cannot thrive and send their signals along what we call the ‘gut-brain-axis’ causing a breakdown of healthy mental wellbeing (3).

The body’s stress response mechanism called the HPA axis needs optimal nutrition status (in particular the B vitamins) to be able to adapt to stressful triggers that are a part of life (2). However, in westernised cultures we are overfed and undernourished, calorie counting, but failing to obtain crucial nutrient status (4). As a result of poor nutrient intake, brain function is impaired, mental health declines and we see more and more episodes of anxiety and depression (1).

Without adequate and balanced nutrition, pathways break down resulting in mood changes. Did you know that omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish or algae are a key micronutrient needed for brain structure and function? They also help in decreasing neuro-inflammation which reduces occurrence and severity of depression. How do they do this? Well, omega-3 fatty acids can travel through the blood brain barrier and once into the brain interact with neurotransmitters, whilst suppressing inflammation (8).

As well as nutrients in food being the fuel in particular metabolic pathways, some nutrients are needed to actually synthesise vital cellular chemicals we need in everyday life. An example of this is the neurotransmitter serotonin (our happy hormone) which is one of our brains chemical messengers. In order to actually make serotonin we need to feed our body the precursor L-Tryptophan to form it (5). L-Tryptophan is an amino acid found in pumpkin seeds, fish, and eggs. Studies show those with an insufficient intake have a decline of cognition, behaviour and mood (6).

Food also regulates your mood through playing a transportation role. Let’s take carbohydrates and feelings of happiness as an example. There are many transport pathways in the body for different nutrients. Some nutrients use the same pathway therefore have to compete to use it, with the loser nutrient not being absorbed by the body. Tryptophan (the precursor to serotonin) often loses out to other amino acids. So where do carbohydrates come in? When you eat carbohydrates, you produce insulin. Insulin transports glucose from the carbohydrate to the cells for fuel. Insulin also transports amino acids along with the glucose – all amino acids apart from tryptophan. This means that tryptophan can travel through the bloodstream to the brain without any competition where serotonin can be produced (7)…enter feelings of happiness!

These are just a few very brief examples of how food and dietary choices can affect how you feel and function. There are many other mechanisms which come into play such as inflammation, inadequate levels of nutrients involved in a variety of cellular pathways, gut integrity and its microbiome. Each individual presents uniquely, and no treatment is the same – so it’s best to book in to see me to better assess your circumstances. You have the power to promote good mental health through what you consume!

If you would like to know more about taking care of your health through nutrition please book in with clinical nutritionist Rachel Cunard at ben&biao .

References

1. O’Neil A, Quirk SE, Housden S, Brennan SL, Williams LJ, Pasco JA, Berk M, Jacka FN: Relationship between diet and mental health in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Am J Publ Health 2014; 104:e31–e42.
2. Brown BI (2018) Stress, HPA Axis Dysfunction and Personalized Nutrition. J Orthomol Med. 33(1)
3. Mörkl, S., Wagner-Skacel, J., Lahousen, T., Lackner, S., Holasek, S., & Bengesser, S. et al. (2018). The Role of Nutrition and the Gut-Brain Axis in Psychiatry: A Review of the Literature. Neuropsychobiology, 79(1), 80-88. doi: 10.1159/000492834
4. Rust P, Hasenegger V, König J: Österreichischer Ernährungsbericht 2017. Wien, Universität Wien und Bundesministerium für Gesundheit und Frauen, 2017.
5. Lehnert, H., & Wurtma, R. (1993). Amino Acid Control of Neurotransmitter Synthesis and Release: Physiological and Clinical Implications. Psychotherapy And Psychosomatics, 60(1), 18-32. doi: 10.1159/000288676
6. Höglund, E., Øverli, Ø., & Winberg, S. (2019). Tryptophan Metabolic Pathways and Brain Serotonergic Activity: A Comparative Review. Frontiers In Endocrinology, 10. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00158
7. Spring, B. (1984). Recent Research on the Behavioral Effects of Tryptophan and Carbohydrate. Nutrition And Health, 3(1-2), 55-67. doi: 10.1177/026010608400300204
8. Lim, S., Kim, E., Kim, A., Lee, H., Choi, H., & Yang, S. (2016). Nutritional Factors Affecting Mental Health. Clinical Nutrition Research, 5(3), 143. doi: 10.7762/cnr.2016.5.3.143

In Australia more than 450,000 people are living with vision impairment or blindness (1) . About 1 in 7 Australians over the age of 50 have some evidence of macular degeneration (2) and, if you have diabetes there is a risk of diabetic retinopathy which increases the longer you have the disease. Of the 1.2 million Australians that have diagnosed (known) diabetes there is an estimated 500,000 with undiagnosed diabetes. Of these, over 300,000 (between 25-35%) have some degree of diabetic retinopathy and about 65,000 have progressed to sight-threatening eye disease. (3)

All these numbers are projected to increase. It is likely that you or someone you know will be affected by a degenerative eye disease. Research conducted in China and Denmark has shown that acupuncture may be a viable treatment that provides relief from these conditions.

​About Vision Acupuncture Treatments.

At ben&biao Heidi Dunn has completed additional and specialist training in vision acupuncture and integrative vision. This includes postgraduate studies with:

Dr Rosenfarb’s Acuvision’s Ophthalmic Acupuncture protocols. (4)

Dr Marc Grossman’s integrative approach to vision care (5)

Incorporating Acunova protocols for vision (6)

For the thousands of patients with eye diseases who have received this form of acupuncture and integrative care treatment, many, depending on the type of eye disease,  respond to treatment.

What is involved?

• Acupuncture
• Internal Supplementation
• Lifestyle Advice

Acupuncture

Acupuncture for vision is an intensive treatment and you will come in initially for a consultation to determine if the vision protocol treatment is right for you.

The acupuncture protocol requires 2 needling treatments a day for 10 days over the course of two weeks.  Details of the procedure will be explained during consultation.

The evidence for acupuncture

An increase in the blood flow to the eyes, decrease in oxidative stress plus neurological stimulation when the appropriate acupuncture points are used. Detailed below are studies where acupuncture has been successfully used.

Internal supplementation 

Most eye conditions have oxidative stress and cellular degeneration as part of the health picture and patients may improve vision parameters with supplementation of certain vitamins and / or Chinese medicinal herbal formulas. The formulae used are individualised but are based on treatment protocols that have been used successfully used.

Lifestyle advice

Diet, sleep and exercise play an important role in minimising vision degeneration and these are discussed and advice given based on current evidence, during the consultations.

​Testing

We suggest you visit your eye doctor just prior to commencement of treatment for baseline vision evaluation. Testing should be repeated a week after the course of treatments has completed. Our patients also find eyesight continues to improve for several weeks after the treatment and then stabilise.

If you would like to know more book an initial consultation with Heidi Dunn click here

 

Research into Acupuncture for Vision 

A pilot study of an acupuncture protocol to improve visual function in retinitis pigmentosa patients; 2014, May, Ava Bittner, Jeffrey Gould, Andy Rosenfarb, Collin Rozanski, Gislin Dagnelie.

In this prospective pilot study, 12 RP adult patients were given 10 treatments over a two week period.  Six of 12 subjects had measurable, significant visual function improvements after treatment. Three of nine subjects tested with the FST had a significant 10.3 to 17.5 dB (that is, 13- to 53-fold) improvement in both eyes at one week after acupuncture, maintained for at least 10 to 12 months,

Micro Acupuncture Treatment of Macular Degeneration.  Gail Brent, L.Ac., San Diego, CA; Heidi Day, L.Ac., Edmonds, WA; Andrew Rosenfarb, MTOM, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., Westfield, NJ; Mats Sexton L. Ac., St. Louis Park, MN. August, 2004

In initial clinical trials, eighty-six patients diagnosed with Macular Degeneration were treated with Micro Acupuncture. A procedure involving 48 newly discovered acupuncture points located in the hands and feet, and not associated with any other acupuncture system. Five to six Micro Acupuncture treatments were administered, followed by a re-examination using the Perimetry Octopuss 1-2-3 visual field scanner, as well as a standard visual acuity test. Of the eighty-six patients treated, seventy-nine (92%) had shown significant improvement while seven had very little or no improvement. The study indicates that Micro Acupuncture is significantly effective in the treatment of Macular Degeneration.

An Acupuncture Protocol For Treatment Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Second Report, 2005. – Alston C. Lundgren, MD.

Of 108 patients treated by acupuncture for AMD disease, 69% of patients improved in distant vision and 69% improved in near vision. Patients with both wet and dry forms of AMD benefited equally. Half of patients had subjective vision improvement, 33% of patients gained more than 2 lines on EDTRS charts, 20% reported lessening or disappearance of scotomas, and 7% of patients noted improved colour vision.

1. https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/eye-health
2. https://www.mdfoundation.com.au/content/what-is-macular-degeneration
3. https://www.mdfoundation.com.au/content/diabetic-retinopathy-about
4. Dr Andy Rosenfarb  (USA), internationally recognised author, researcher and authority on Chinese Medical Ophthalmology and Integrative Vision Care. He has completed several studies on retinosa pigmentosa, macular degeneration
5. Dr Grossman (USA) is an authority on natural eye care and Chinese medical Opthalmology. He is co-founder of ‘NaturalEyeCare.com which was set up in 1999, He is an international lecturer, Author of multiple books including the recent ‘Natural Eye care, your guide to Healthy eyes and healing’ published  in 2019.
6. Acunova is a style of acupuncture used by J Boel and widely used in Denmark for the treatment of vision disorders  see https://boel-akupunktur.com/en/eye-diseases/ for more details.

Epigenetics and Preconception Nutrition

You may already know that good nutrition is really important during the preconception period for creating healthy eggs and sperm. You may also know that good nutrition is important for the health of your growing baby. But did you know that the food you eat prior to and during pregnancy influences the genetic expression of not only your baby, but your baby’s baby? Preconception nutrition has a multigenerational impact! Studies show that the nutritional status of the mother impacts herself, her baby and her child’s reproductive cells (therefore her baby’s baby) (1).

We know this via recent studies in epigenetics. Epigenetics refers to a series of complex processes that change genetic expression without changing the genes themselves. While we may be genetically predisposed to something, the expression of that gene can be influenced by nutrition (or specific nutrients), lifestyle and environment. The impact of nutrition on epigenetic response seems to be most influential during the first 1000 days of life – or from conception to 2 years old.

Both Mum and Dads health and nutritional status needs to be considered.

It is generally understood that optimum maternal health is essential in order to support healthy conception and pregnancy. What is sometimes overlooked, is the health of the father. But paternal health is of equal importance.

Studies have demonstrated that the nutritional conditions of paternal grandfathers influenced the metabolic health and longevity of their grandchildren (2). We have also seen that children of obese fathers are more likely to become obese (3, 4) – and this may be due to the fact that the sperm of obese men is epigenetically different to that of lean mean (4).

Excellent nutritional status is key in supporting paternal health to create optimal epigenetic expression in their baby. We know that optimum levels of zinc, vitamin C, selenium, folate and coQ10 are essential. Of course, maternal nutritional status is also essential in establishing optimal genetic expression for her baby; with B vitamins, iron, iodine, vitamin D, and choline being of particular importance.

While it is important to obtain all of the essential vitamins and minerals from a wholefoods diet of bountiful fruits and vegetables, proteins, wholegrains, nuts and seeds and healthy fats, nutritional demand is higher during the preconception period and supplementation may be required. Testing nutritional status during the preconception period is essential so that we can tailor a nutrition and supplement plan specific to you.

If you are planning a baby and would like some support nutritionally to ensure the healthiest outcomes for not only yourself but also your future baby (and your baby’s baby) please reach out and make an appointment with Chantelle 

References 

1. Perera, F. & Herbstman, J. (2011). Prenatal environmental exposures, epigenetics and disease. Reproductive Toxicology, 31(3), 363-373.
2. Vågero, D., Pinger, P.R., Aronsson, V. & van den Berg, G. J. (2018). Paternal grandfathers access to food predicts all-cause and cancer mortality in grandsons. Nature Communications, 9(5124).
3. McPherson, N.O., Fullston, T., Aitkin, R. J. & Lane, M. (2014). Paternal obesity, interventions and mechanistic pathways to impaired health in offspring. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 64(3-4), 231-238.
4. Donkin, I., Versteyhe, S., Ingerslev, L. R., Qian, K., Mechta, M., NOrdkap, L., et al. (2016). Obesity and bariatric surgery drive epigenetic variation of spermatozoa in humans. Cell Metabolism, 23(2), 369-378.