Well it’s a long time since I last wrote anything here. Despite the doom and gloom in the news, clinics have been busy with people coming in with all sorts of health problems – lots of IBS, menopausal symptoms, post-viral fatigue, and skin problems which often get worse into the winter months.

My new Weight Loss Clinic at Bristo Place is now up and running, offering nutritional and herbal support for weight management. Call the clinic on 0131 225 5542 to book an initial appointment or email me for more information.

In the news today, more about the link between B vitamins and Alzheimer’s Disease. Vitamin B3 has been shown in mice to protect the brain from the degenerative changes seen in this condition. However, you do need to be careful with B3, it can be toxic in very high doses, and often also produces an unpleasant flushing effect (think beetroot colour!). More on this story on the BBC website – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7710365.stm

A new study has shown that a balanced vegan diet can help sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis – see the full article on the BBC Website

Although a small study, it backs up previous studies and experience of nutritional therapists that diet can make a big difference in rheumatoid and other forms of arthritis. Certainly we would almost always recommend to cut down saturated animal fats (from meat and dairy products), increase the ‘good’ essential fats (omega, 3, 6, 7 and 9) and to reduce wheat and gluten consumption. These simple changes will often make a difference quite quickly in reducing pain and inflammation, and as this study shows also lowers cholesterol and so protects the heart and arteries.

Of course when eliminating foods from your diet it’s wise to get some advice from a qualified nutritional therapist who will ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you require from your diet, and this is especially challenging on a vegan diet.

The Edinburgh Fertility Clinic is a group of practitioners based at Napiers Clinic in Edinburgh who offer a ranges of treatments to couples trying to conceive or who are having problems with infertility.

Our team of complementary health practitioners work together to give each client or couple a specific treatment plan based on enhancing health and vitality and boosting fertility. We work with men and women to help with preconception care in the 6 months before they start trying to conceive, and also to address any problems with fertility from poor sperm mobility and quality to PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid problems and unexplained infertility. We regularly work with couples in preparation for IVF and other assisted conception techniques.

If you are interested in visiting the clinic or finding out more, please visit our website at www.edinburghfertility.co.uk to get in touch.