Healing and Reflexology

07/02/2025

CoQ10

Endothelial function plays a central role in various aspects of cardiovascular health, maintaining vascular homeostasis, regulating blood pressure, preventing platelet aggregation and controlling inflammation. Dozens of studies implicate endothelial dysfunction in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke, and significantly higher rates of cardiovascular events.

Disruptions in endothelial function appear to result from reduced levels of nitric oxide production and bioavailability, leading to impaired vasodilation, increased blood pressure, inflammation in arterial walls, platelet aggregation and vessel permeability. Common risk factors include insulin resistance, obesity, elevated LDL and reduced HDL cholesterol, ni****ne use and a family history of early cardiovascular disease. Mental stress, thought to be mediated through endothelin, is also associated with prolonged endothelial dysfunction, especially in women.

CoQ10 has long been recognized as a valuable component of overall cardiovascular protection, with a large body of research highlighting its therapeutic potential in hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, dyslipidemia, obesity and a range of related risk factors and disorders. In studies, CoQ10 interventions are linked with significant improvements in endothelial function, better treatment outcomes in patients with heart failure and reduced mortality from cardiovascular causes. CoQ10 supplementation is critical for older patients, since deficiencies are common in chronic and age-related diseases, and in those taking statins.

Ubiquinol: the superior form of CoQ10

The reduced form of CoQ10, ubiquinol is an even more powerful ally in promoting endothelial function, decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, and protecting other aspects of cardiovascular health.

Conventional CoQ10 supplements usually occur as ubiquinone, the oxidized form, which must be converted by the body to ubiquinol, the active form. But this process is slow and limited, and aging further hampers the body’s efficiency in absorbing and converting CoQ10. Ubiquinol supplements are identical to naturally occurring ubiquinol, requiring no conversion in the body to perform antioxidant functions. Compared to conventional CoQ10, ubiquinol is readily absorbed and significantly more bioavailable. In clinical trials, ubiquinol forms of CoQ10 were two to four times better absorbed than ubiquinone forms, resulting in markedly higher plasma CoQ10, with research demonstrating a five- to eight-fold increase in serum ubiquinol levels.

Ubiquinol supports heart health through a variety of mechanisms. Mitochondria serve as the primary energy source for the heart muscle, fueling its high-energy needs and aiding physiological processes vital for cardiovascular wellness. Any disruptions in mitochondrial function directly contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. CoQ10 plays a central role in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, required for 95 percent of cellular ATP. It’s also a crucial antioxidant in the inner mitochondrial membrane, a major site of free radical production. By supporting mitochondrial health, ubiquinol protects endothelial cells against senescence, potentially delaying vascular aging.

28/01/2025

If you are having health issues and need nutritional support, please click on the WhatsApp button to make an appointment.

28/01/2025

The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, or HPA Axis, is a bidirectional neuroendocrine network that modulates our adaptive stress response. The activation loop begins in the hypothalamus with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Once released, CRH binds to receptors on the anterior pituitary gland resulting in the subsequent release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). In turn, circulating ACTH binds to its own receptors on the adrenal cortex, thereby stimulating cortisol production. Ultimately, cortisol levels serve as a negative feedback mechanism, modulating hypothalamic CRF and pituitary ACTH release to achieve homeostasis. The HPA Axis also interacts with the limbic system, pivotal to memory and emotional respons.

Our resident microbes continuously interact with the HPA axis, and their influence begins very early in life. Animal studies have shown that the lack of commensal gut microbes contributes to exaggerated HPA Axis activity that can be reversed with a single Bifidobacterium species, but the window for modulating appropriate HPA response is a very narrow one. , stress and HPA Axis activation can directly impact the gut microbiota composition. Studies have demonstrated that extended stress can significantly alter the microbiome and elevate levels of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein in the blood.

28/01/2025

Amino acids and their important brain function.

24/05/2022

Now available on booking.com we had a very successful summer with our holiday home Casa Ludovico last year, its getting busier again this year. Take a look.
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Located in San Pancrazio Salentino, 32 km from Sant' Oronzo Square and 32 km from Piazza Mazzini, Casa Ludovico offers a garden and air conditioning.

19/05/2022

Eczema is a complex, multifactorial disease involving several factors . Often individuals living with eczema have genetic risk factors predisposing them to conditions affecting the skin barrier or immune system functioning. A strong relationship between the gene encoding filaggrin protein has highlighted interest between a compromised skin barrier, and eczema. Furthermore, environmental factors such as temperature and irritants are thought to be contributing factors. More specifically, environmental factors and microbial exposure such as day care attendance, exposure to farm environments and animals, breastfeeding, and antibiotic exposure have all been identified in playing an important role in the composition of the gut microbiome.

with registered dietitian Sian Shepherd
Reading time: 3 minutes
Sian Shepherd
Eczema – about
Eczema is an umbrella term used to describe a group of conditions which causes our skin to become inflamed and intensely itchy, impairing quality of life. The aetiology and pathogenesis of eczema are not yet fully understood, nor is there an effective treatment currently available. There are 7 types of eczema, with atopic dermatitis being the most common, affecting up to 20% of children and 10% of adults. For 45% of patients, eczema develops in the first 6 months of life, often preceding other allergic diseases like asthma and hay fever in the so-called “atopic march” (Figure 1), meaning its prevention is important. It may also present later in life during adolescence or adulthood.

figure 1
Figure 1. The Atopic March (1)

Eczema is a complex, multifactorial disease involving several factors (Figure 2). Often individuals living with eczema have genetic risk factors predisposing them to conditions affecting the skin barrier or immune system functioning. A strong relationship between the gene encoding filaggrin protein has highlighted interest between a compromised skin barrier, and eczema. Furthermore, environmental factors such as temperature and irritants are thought to be contributing factors. More specifically, environmental factors and microbial exposure such as day care attendance, exposure to farm environments and animals, breastfeeding, and antibiotic exposure have all been identified in playing an important role in the composition of the gut microbiome. Gene-environmental interactions are indicated by the higher prevalence of eczema in Westernised countries.

The human gastrointestinal tract contains a highly selective ecosystem, comprised of trillions of microbes and their genetic material, collectively known as the gut microbiome. Research has shown that children with eczema have a distinct gut microbial composition, containing increased numbers of aerobic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and fewer anaerobic bacteria such as Bifidobacterium or Bacteroides. Further studies have correlated a lower number of Bifidobacteria species with increased eczema severity, and low microbial diversity in the neonatal period with eczema onset within the first year of life. Therefore, it is proposed that the prevention of eczema should begin as early as possible, potentially in utero, by intervening with appropriate strategies focusing on expectant mothers.

Increasingly, research does indeed show that our gut microbiome begins to form in utero. A recent systematic review identified that factors including maternal probiotic and antibiotic use, dietary intake, gestational weight gain, diabetes, and mood, can all influence the infant’s gut microbiome.
Our gut microbiome continues to develop over the first few years of life, corresponding to a critical period for the development of our immune system where several factors including mode of delivery, means of feeding, and type of food, affect our gut microbiome composition. Specifically, several systematic reviews have investigated the effect of probiotics on the gut microbiome for treating eczema in paediatric populations. to achieve the optimal long-term effect, the majority of research suggests the use of a probiotic during pregnancy to reduce the risk of eczema in high risk infants may well be beneficial.

07/05/2022

Reflexology with physiotherapy reduced spasticity in legs, improved gross motor functions, decreased dependency but led to no change in quality of life.

04/05/2022

11/04/2022

RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME
A well-known example of thyroid dysfunction contributing to sleep disturbances is abnormal thyroid function that increases the risk of restless legs syndrome (RLS). People with RLS have an uncomfortable or unpleasant sensation in their legs or body when they rest. Thus, RLS symptoms, which usually occur when a person is trying to sleep, can lead to insomnia and sleep dysfunction . Conditions with higher levels of thyroid hormones (eg, pregnancy, Graves disease) also are associated with a higher prevalence of RLS symptoms. Thyroid dysfunction can contribute to a myriad of symptoms that involve nearly every system in the body, including sleep function. Even though current evidence suggests that thyroid hormone levels are not markers of sleep dysfunction, untreated thyroid dysfunction clearly can affect a person’s ability to achieve healthy, restful sleep.
Although the exact pathophysiology of RLS is still being investigated, studies have hypothesized that the dopaminergic system has an important role, given the effectiveness of dopamine agonists in alleviating RLS symptoms. Tan et al. suggested that elevated levels of thyroid hormone can be an inciting stimulus for RLS-like symptoms, such as tremors, hyperkinetic states, and insomnia.

Massage is considered a valuable tool for treating restless leg syndrome. We explore the types of massage and what the research says about massage therapy.Le...

11/04/2022

The plantar fascia serves as an elastic cushion for weight applied to the foot and also helps increase stability in the ankle. It is a thick fibrous connective tissue that originates at the medial tuberosity of the calcaneus and inserts into the proximal phalanges. The central portion is the thickest; it attaches at the posterior aspect of the medial tuberosity of the calcaneus posterior to the origin of the flexor digitorum brevis tendon, and is 1.5 to 2 cm in width, distally, at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joints. The central portion of the plantar aponeurosis divides into five fascicles, one for each of the toes.1,3 The lateral portion of the plantar aponeurosis is 1 to 1.5 cm in width; it arises from the lateral aspect of the medial tuberosity of the calcaneus, and its distal medial and lateral bands attach to the plantar plate of the fourth toe and to the base of the fifth metatarsal, respectively.
Although the plantar fascia does not differ anatomically between men and women, comparing lower extremity function for both sexes produces a number of interesting statistics. Men experience more plantar loading than women, especially at the mid foot, during a cutting task. Women have significantly higher rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and anterior knee pain than men. Previous studies have shown that ACL injuries are associated with changes in anterior and posterior cruciate ligament laxity due to changes in body temperature during the menstrual cycle and the effect of beta Oestrogen receptors on these two ligaments.
Increased tissue temperature increases the laxity of ligaments in the body. Such increases in core and shell temperature are associated with the latter half of the menstrual cycle in women not taking oral contraceptives. The increase in estrogen just before ovulation at mid cycle also increases laxity of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. This increase in laxity makes the knee unstable, which can lead to compensatory increased activity of the medial and lateral quadriceps muscles. In spite of compensation, knee injuries in runners peak at ovulation. Ankle injuries are also more common in women than men, and presumably involve a similar mechanism.
Although more running-related injuries are seen in men than in women, and a significantly higher rate of plantar fasciitis in women than men has been reported in a military population, little has been done to examine the effect of oestrogen on the plantar fascia. Greater postural sway in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle has been reported. This could be due to a complex interaction between knee and ankle laxity, as cited above. In one study, Ericksen and Gribble found more inversion-eversion laxity in women than in men, but no effects of the menstrual cycle. However, they examined their study participants five days before and five days after ovulation; estradiol peaks at ovulation and then falls. Other research has found that centre of pressure path length and velocity were significantly higher at ovulation than at menstruation, suggesting altered neuromuscular control strategies; this was not seen in birth control users. In a similar manner, for the Achilles tendon, strain of the tendon was greater in women with a normal menstrual cycle and abolished when women used birth control pills.

Learn how to use massage therapy treatment for plantar fasciitis. For information about massage therapy programs visit https://fremont.edu*It is not recomme...

07/04/2022

There is now growing evidence that long term stress is thought to be responsible for many illnesses,. however making small lifestyle changes can reduce the impact of stress and positively improve our Health and Wellbeing.

Association of ReflexologistsThe Association of Reflexologists (AoR) was established in 1984 and is a not-for-profit organisation. Today it is the foremost a...

07/04/2022

Sustainable Healthcare, Reflexology the choice for sustainable wellbeing.