Helen Power, Naturopath

14/10/2024

Just a re-introduction 👋

10/10/2024

Iron is crucial for transporting oxygen to your cells, aiding liver detox, energy production, and supporting thyroid function.

But are you getting enough—or too much?

Iron deficiency and anemia can show up in different ways, including:

👉 No noticeable symptoms at all
👉 Paleness
👉 Fatigue
👉 Shortness of breath during exercise
👉 Unusual food cravings
👉 Fast or irregular heartbeat
👉 Cold hands and feet
👉 Brittle nails or hair loss
👉 Frequent headaches
👉 Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
👉 Difficulty concentrating

Before rushing to take iron supplements for these symptoms, it’s vital to determine if iron deficiency is really the cause.

Iron overload can be just as harmful, leading to joint pain, depression, heart issues, and even neurological conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
And remember, not all supplements are created equal.

If a deficiency (or anemia) is confirmed, it’s important to investigate the root cause.

A full iron panel blood test will give you a complete picture of your iron status—not just iron levels in the blood:

🥬 Iron: Necessary for oxygen transport, red blood cell production, liver detox, energy, and thyroid function.

🥬 Ferritin: Stores iron like a warehouse, showing how much iron your body has in reserve.

🥬 Transferrin: A protein that carries iron around the body, like a taxi, moving iron where it’s needed.

🥬 Transferrin Saturation: Measures how much transferrin is carrying iron, which can reveal whether your iron is too low or too high.

Improving iron absorption from food:

🔑 Eat both animal and plant-based iron sources together to boost absorption.
🔑 Sufficient stomach acid is essential for proper absorption.
🔑 Include vitamin C with meals (like a small glass of lemon water) to enhance iron uptake.
🔑 Cooking with cast iron pans can increase dietary iron.
🔑 Minerals like copper, cobalt, and manganese, plus B vitamins, help with iron absorption.
🔑 Cooking greens and soaking grains before cooking reduces substances that block iron absorption.
🔑 Be cautious with black tea, coffee, and calcium, which can interfere with iron absorption.

If a serious deficiency or anemia is found, further testing may reveal underlying causes, such as:

🔍 Gut infections like Helicobacter pylori or intestinal bleeding (can be checked with a comprehensive stool test)
🔍 Fibroids or hormonal imbalances causing heavy periods
🔍 Heavy metals, which can be detected through a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
🔍 Genetics
🔍 Issues with red blood cell production or destruction

I can support you with blood tests along with other functional tests like comprehensive stool analysis, genetic testing, and Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis that help to get to the underlying cause of iron imbalance.

If you’re concerned about your iron levels or overall health, send me a DM, and let’s chat about how I can support you on your health journey!

30/09/2024

🌟 Did you know Vitamin D is crucial for fertility? 🌟

According to fertility expert Leah Hechtman, vitamin D could be the missing link in fertility and pregnancy!

For men, Vitamin D plays a key role in s***m health, supporting movement 🏃‍♂️ and helping s***m swim towards the egg 🎯.

And for women, the egg is actually covered in Vitamin D receptors! These act like a GPS 🛰️, helping s***m and egg communicate better, boosting the chances of fertilisation. 🧬

Vitamin D also modulates the immune system, reducing the risk of embryo rejection 🤰💖, and it’s essential for absorbing calcium, which helps develop a healthy skeletal system for your growing baby 🍼🦴.

For fertility, your Vitamin D levels should be at the higher end of normal. A deficiency could take 3-4 months to fix, so testing and professional guidance are key.

✨ Vitamin D is just one piece of the puzzle, and inside my Empower Fertility program, I help you optimise nutrients to support your fertility goals!

💌 If you’re ready to improve your fertility outcomes, I invite you to connect with me today and explore how I can help you uncover the missing pieces of the puzzle; comment or DM “SUNSHINE”

27/09/2024

🌟 How long can you stay on the same path and expect a different result? 🌟

Did you know that a young, healthy couple in their 20s has an average time to pregnancy of just three months?

But when things like nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, immune challenges, poor egg/s***m quality, or toxin exposure come into play, that timeline changes drastically. 📉

Even with just three of these imbalances, it could take up to 40 years to conceive! 😱

For those of you in your 30s or 40s, waiting decades isn’t an option. But here’s the good news—most of these imbalances can be improved within 3-4 months.

That’s why my Empower Fertility program is 4 months long. It’s designed to uncover and address underlying issues so you can reduce your time to pregnancy and take control of your fertility journey. 🌿✨

Ready to start? DM me for more info!

23/09/2024

Are you aware that what you are putting on your skin (including your nails!) is having a negative impact on your fertility?

Endocrine disruptors are one of the biggest hidden threats to your fertility 😳.

These chemicals are found in everyday products, like body care, make up and household cleaners.

Everything we put on our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream.

Just like food. If you can’t recognise an ingredient, your body probably can’t either.

Xenoestrogens are a big concern ⚠️. They mimic estrogen in both men and women.

Research has linked these chemicals to infertility, endometriosis, early puberty, breast cancer, and miscarriages.

In men, they lower s***m counts and increase the risk of prostate and testicular cancers.

But don’t stress! Start by swapping one product at a time with a natural alternative 🌿.

You can even make your own skin and cleaning products, which benefits both your health and the environment 🌎.

In my Empower Fertility Program, I guide you through these changes at your own pace. I know it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve used certain products for a long time.

Need help finding safe alternatives?

Visit ewg.org/skindeep to check ingredient safety (if it rates 3 or higher, it’s time for a swap!).

Comment or DM me! I’ve spent years working in the natural health industry and know the best brands in New Zealand 🌟.

16/09/2024

Are short cycles and low progesterone affecting your ability to conceive and keep a pregnancy? 🤔

If you're trying to conceive, charting your cycle with a basal body thermometer 🌡️ is a great way to uncover whether low progesterone could be the issue.

Progesterone is vital for holding the uterine lining in place and supporting implantation. Without enough, cycles can shorten, or you may experience spotting, PMS, or mood swings. 😓💫

Ovulation triggers progesterone production from the corpus luteum. If ovulation doesn’t happen, or progesterone levels are too low, this could be impacting your fertility. 🥚

Charting can show if your luteal phase is too short 📉 or if there’s no distinct rise in temperature—clear indicators of low progesterone. 🔍

Want to learn more? Comment or DM “CYCLE” to grab my free Cycle Awareness Kit! 🌿✨

11/09/2024

🎯 Are you on your fertility journey and taking lots of supplements?

If you're spending money on supplements, you want to know they're actually working, right? But did you know that your gut health plays a key role in how well your body absorbs them?

💡 When digestion is out of balance, it affects your ability to absorb nutrients—making those supplements less effective. Plus, stress hormones triggered by exhaustion and frustration can disrupt ovulation and digestion.

Here are three quick tips to support digestion and get more out of your supplements:

Mindful eating – Start digestion in your brain by taking in the smell and sight of your food.

Chew thoroughly – This helps your stomach break down food and absorb nutrients, so supplements taken with food will be absorbed more effectively.

Avoid drinking water with meals – It dilutes digestive juices. A small glass of lemon water is okay and aids absorption.

🌱 In my Empower Fertility program, functional testing can determine the health of your gut, from digestive function to microbiome. Based on findings, I prescribe high-quality supplements and provide personalised gut health guidance.

💬 If you’re ready to explore how we can work together on your fertility journey, drop me a DM and let’s chat!

06/09/2024

✨ PCOS Awareness Month ✨

Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting reproductive-aged women, yet it often goes undiagnosed for years.

Symptoms like irregular periods, weight struggles, and hormone imbalance can be frustrating and overwhelming.

PCOS isn’t just about cysts on your ovaries; it’s a complex condition that affects your whole body.

Diagnosis often includes hormone testing, ultrasounds, and a look at symptoms to get a full picture.

Managing PCOS is possible with the right approach! 🙌

Through functional medicine, we can work together to create a personalised treatment plan that addresses your unique needs.

Whether it’s supporting hormone balance through a tailored diet, herbal remedies, or in-depth testing like the DUTCH test, I’m here to guide you on your journey toward better health and fertility.

💡 If you're ready to get to the root of your PCOS symptoms, let’s chat!

Together, we’ll develop a plan to help you feel more in control of your body and health. 🌿

17/07/2024

Here’s what I wish every couple struggling to conceive knew:

1️⃣ Understanding fertility: It’s not just about timing. Factors like nutrition, stress, and underlying health conditions play critical roles. Recognising these influences empowers you to make informed decisions on your fertility journey.

2️⃣ Doctors' nutrition training: While medical doctors receive basic nutrition education (up to 40 hours), it often lacks fertility-specific focus. This gap underscores the importance of seeking specialised care that understands how nutrition impacts fertility outcomes.

3️⃣ Optimal vs. "in range": Standard nutrient blood tests (like iron and vitamin D) often report results within a broad "normal" range. However, for fertility, optimal levels tailored to individual needs are crucial. Subtle deficiencies can affect fertility health despite appearing "in range."

4️⃣ Folic acid facts: Folic acid, commonly prescribed when trying to conceive (TTC), is synthetic vitamin B9. While essential for preventing birth defects, it may not suit everyone and can lead to adverse effects for those with certain genetic variations. Personalised prescribing ensures the right nutrients for your unique needs.

5️⃣ Uncover hidden imbalances: Comprehensive nutrient and hormone testing goes beyond standard diagnostics. It reveals specific deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or genetic factors impacting fertility. This knowledge forms the foundation for tailored treatment plans aimed at optimizing your chances of conception.

6️⃣ Guiding your journey: I’m here to support and empower you every step of the way. Together, we develop a personalised plan focusing on nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and holistic support. Whether you’re exploring natural conception or assisted reproductive technologies, my goal is to optimise your health for a successful pregnancy.

Ready to take charge of your fertility journey? 🌱💫

Send me a DM today and start your journey towards optimal fertility!

23/06/2024

POV: If you're struggling to conceive because of missing or irregular periods, your doctor might suggest this ➡️

Difficulty with irregular periods can be frustrating and add worry and uncertainty to your fertility journey.

When faced with irregular or missing periods, doctors often conduct a few standard hormone tests.

Then you might be offered The Pill or hormone therapy to regulate your menstrual cycle—preventing ovulation—which isn’t helpful when you’re TTC!

Alternatively, doctors may prescribe medications to force ovulation, which often come with side effects and frequent monitoring with uterine scans.

As a Naturopath, we interpret test results differently.

We look deeper than “in range” readings.

If a level is high or low but still within the normal range, it’s considered 'subclinical' with a focus on your symptom picture and functional testing to look deeper.

Here’s just some of what we focus on and these can be identified by specific testing:

🌟 Inflammation: Underlying infections or subtle allergies
🌟 Nutrient Deficiencies: Leading to hormone issues
🌟 Blood Sugar Imbalance: Affecting ovarian function, possibly leading to PCOS
🌟 Detoxification: Impacts hormone balance and egg and s***m quality

✔️ This approach takes time—a few months—to see significant changes, but these are usually long lasting with sustainable, long-term changes.

✔️ Personalized treatment protocols mean no more guessing and wasting money on supplements you may not need or that aren’t helping.

✔️ Support and accountability along the way to help you through difficulties and celebrate your wins.

✔️ Imagine understanding your cycle and body better, naturally achieving balance, and increasing your chances of conceiving.

👉 Ready to look forward to planning your future with more certainty? 🌱

Grab my "5 Steps to Get Pregnant Naturally" guide. 💌

COMMENT or DM “yes”

17/06/2024

If you’re dealing with the emotional toll of trying to conceive you need to know this 👇

Struggling to conceive despite years of effort is a significant challenge to be going through.

How do I know? Because I’ve been through it to, and although I remain childless, I did come out the other side, happy and content ☺️.

Here’s a simple practice you can try today. 🌟

You'll be walking down the street and see a pregnant lady, feeling a pang of emotion in your gut—it feels uncomfortable and wrong. Then your mind kicks in with all sorts of thoughts, and maybe you feel guilty for having those feelings. 💔

But your feelings are not wrong, they are totally valid. During my fertility journey, I had friends making surprise pregnancy announcements. At the health retail store where I worked, there were often pregnant customers or young families with their newborns. 🛍️

I’m grateful for the support of my co-workers who understood when I needed a moment to myself. 🙏

Here is something you can try as soon as you feel triggered:

PAUSE: take a deep breath, and

EMBRACE the feeling.

Close your eyes, where in your body you feel it most?

Imagine moving your heart towards it to embrace it in a gentle hug.

This practice, known as Embodiment Processing, helped me connect with and release those emotions more effectively. 🌈

It’s a way to honor your feelings and move through them with greater ease.
If you’re curious about more ways I can support you on your path towards your pregnancy:

Comment or DM 'curious' and let’s have a chat.

10/06/2024

It's great to see information about gut health becoming more mainstream with this Netflix documentary.

Science is catching up now with what I was learning from my studies in 2011-2013 for my Diploma in Naturopathy.

I can offer functional testing like what they show in this documentary to see exactly what is going on with the microbiome in the gut, and treatment protocols to bring back the balance.

This documentary explains the gut-brain connection and how many health conditions can be linked to the health of the gut.

Hormone balance is also greatly affected by gut (and liver) health.

Delve into the digestive system with this lighthearted and informative documentary that demystifies the role gut health plays in our overall well-being.Watch...