Julien Brightwell, RWP-1, FNTP

09/09/2022

It's been a little while since I last posted anything, but this just landed in my inbox, and I had to share, as the subject matter hits particularly close to home.

If you have a loved one who suffers from dementia, or you're concerned about your own risk, and are seeking resources to equip yourself with the knowledge and actionable tools to help them, and/or reduce your own chances of succumbing to what is a very cruel, and emotionally disturbing condition for all involved, then please do take a look at the Food for the Brain website linked below.

In fact, if you have any mental health concerns at all, it is definitely worth a look, as the impact of diet and lifestyle on our overall health, and particularly that of our mental faculties, cannot be underestimated.

If you find you need help navigating or implementing your own dietary and lifestyle changes to that end, please don't hesitate to reach out. I offer free 15mins Discovery Calls, during which we can discuss your personal health concerns, and goals, with a view to defining a clear path forward.

Wishing you a happy and healthy weekend!

A charity dedicated to generating awareness about the importance of nutrition and lifestyle for mental wellbeing and cognitive health.

09/02/2022

Great explanation of the benefits, and argument for wider adoption, of a functional approach to healthcare.

If you're not even aware that there is a widely accepted and effective alternative to the conventional model, or are interested to know more about the benefits, this article by Chris Kresser is definitely worth a read...

Functional Medicine adresses the root cause of chronic disease, so patients can recover and stay well without unnecessary drugs and surgery.

19/01/2022

Why no conversation about weight management is complete without discussing sleep...

Did you know that not getting enough sleep can actually make you hungrier? According to sleep scientist Matt Walker, the relationship between what you eat and your sleep is a two-way street. Here's why understanding it can help improve your overall health.

14/01/2022

Favorite pancake recipe in my house right now is this one, thanks to Heather Eigler over at hometoheather.com. They're much tastier and cheaper than many of the shop bought mixes I've tried.

Very simple to make, I tend to add a couple of tablespoons of collagen powder to the mix, and substitute the almond milk for half GF oat milk and half tinned coconut milk, for a little extra healthy fat, along with a dash of cinnamon and a pinch of sea salt.

I don't bother separating the eggs, whisking, and folding in the whites - I'm too lazy for that! I just mix it all together, and have had consistently good results. They drop and cook exactly as you would expect pancakes to, unlike some GF recipes.

Top with berries, seeds, and a good coconut yoghurt, and serve with your choice of hot beverage, and weekend mornings don't get much better!

These gluten free pancakes are light and fluffy yet full of protein and nutrition thanks to Buckwheat! I make them once a week for my kids (and me too.)

12/01/2022

What type of doo-doo do you do?

Ok, let's not beat around the bush... we're all friends here!

Do you ever look in the bowl after you've been to the toilet?

Whilst this might seem like a rather distasteful habit to some (especially if you're reading this whilst eating your breakfast... but then again, more fool you. The attached image really should have left you in no doubt as to the content of the rest of this post!), it's an important thing to do, at least on occasion - I take a peak at mine almost daily!

For those of you that are unfamiliar, the image below is of a Bristol Stool Chart, which is widely used by nutritionists and medical staff alike, and is a useful tool for gaining some insight into the health your gut.

If you consistently produce poos that look like Type 4 on the scale then your microbiome is probably in pretty good shape, but there are a few other caveats to bear in mind:

▪ Are you regularly having at least one bowel movement per day? ✅
▪ Is it easy to pass? - a good one should slip right out... no effort, no fuss. ✅
▪ Does it sink? ✅
▪ Does it stink? ❎
▪ Do you have any other digestive symptoms eg gas, bloating, indigestion etc? ❎

If your No. 2's are anything but No. 4's, and you answered NO to any of the first three points above, or YES to either of the last two, this is a fair indication that there may be some notable unrest in your GI Tract, especially if the current situation has been going on for a while.

Unfortunately, many of us assume our 'usual' is actually normal, and completely forget about what might be optimal.

Stress, poor diet, food sensitivities, functional deficiencies, parasites, bacterial imbalances, and even viruses are all common issues that can take their toll on our digestive systems, which, left unchecked, can have an ongoing negative impact on our overall health and wellbeing, affecting everything from mood and energy, to skin health, and even hormone levels.

So, next time you go to the loo, do yourself a favour and check that poo!

15/12/2021

One of the most straightforward adjustments anyone can make to their diet, to improve their long-term health prospects, is to switch from using ultra-refined vegetable oils, to more natural, healthier alternatives, such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and, dare I say it, even butter!

Admittedly, this is much more of a challenge if you're buying pre-made, packaged foods, and eat out frequently, as these oils are much loved by food companies, and the restaurant industry, for their versatility and low cost, and are ubiquitous, as a brief glimpse at the ingredient lists on some of your favorite seasonal treats will illustrate - which is one of the reasons why I always recommend clients avoid processed foods altogether.

Whilst determining what's good for us can seem confusing at times, I personally like to apply the additional filter of intuition to any information that claims to have the answer... ie does this resonate and sound plausible based on my personal knowledge, and years of experience in this world?

Granted, this should not be your only measure, as there are always exceptions to the rule, and none of us has perfect judgement, but in this instance, what makes more sense to you?... That something that has only recently been introduced to the human diet (ie in the last 100 years), is ultra-processed, often requires bleaching, dying, and deodorizing to pass as fit for human consumption, is largely derived from waste products from industrial farming, and is made in the context of a capitalist society that focusses on margins, supply chains, and convenience, is potentially healthy for us... or that naturally occurring, delicious alternatives, that man has been consuming for millennia, might actually be a better option.

Anyway, if you need a little more convincing, then this article from Chris Kresser provides a brief synopsis of the evolution of vegetable oils, how they came to be so prevalent, and why the medical community still recommends them, despite the evidence, along with some much healthier, and tastier alternatives...

So-called “heart-healthy” oils pose significant dangers to your cardiovascular system. Find out why, and learn which fats you should choose instead.

29/09/2014

Been a while since I last posted here, as attention has been elsewhere these past few months. Anyway, here's an article from the New York Times which does a good job of summarising the Paleo approach, with plenty of links to explore, for those of you who are interested...

Paleo has charged toward the mainstream, not just as a hugely popular diet, but also as a cave-man-inspired lifestyle that has spawned a fast-growing industry.

18/02/2014

This article was first featured at The Huffington Post. Click here to see the original article. Celiac disease (CD) was initially described in the first century A.D. by a Greek physician named Aret...

18/02/2014

Makes a whole lot of sense!...

(Thanks Ben)

Richard Louv: It improves your memory, helps you recuperate and even makes your sense of smell more acute. So turn off your computer and get outside

15/02/2014

In May of 2011, I wrote an article called B12 Deficiency: A Silent Epidemic With Serious Consequences. I argued that B12 deficiency is much more common than statistics indicate, with potentially de...

15/02/2014

Forbes: The ability to manage your emotions and remain calm under pressure has a direct link to your performance. TalentSmart has conducted research with more than a million people, and we’ve found that 90% of top performers are skilled at m...