A few weeks ago I was delighted to stumble across an article in the Telegraph discussing Pyrrole disorder (Could You Have Pyrrole Disorder?). Pyrrole disorder is a relatively unknown genetic condition which affects over 10% of the population. The article is written through the eyes of a lady (Zannie) with a young daughter recently diagnosed with Pyrrole disorder. It outlines many of the struggles encountered daily by Zannie and her daughter, prior to receiving a diagnosis and treatment.

Back in 2009 I wrote a newsletter discussing Pyrrole disorder, a condition even back then we heard and saw a great deal of at Kingsway. It is very unfortunate that although Pyrrole disorder has been around for a number of years, most people are still not aware of it. So this month I would like to either attempt to spread the word (again) or just refresh your knowledge of Pyrrole disorder in the hope that people like Zannie and her daughter, will find a diagnosis and start to live a happier life.

The presence of pyrroluria can have a profound effect on a patient’s mental and physical health, as a consequence of the underlying nutritional deficiencies. Pyrrole disorder is characterised by the abnormal synthesis/metabolism of haemoglobin, which leads to the excretion of excessive amounts of zinc and vitamin B6 in their urine.

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Many people do not realise how important it is to maintain adequate levels of vitamin K. This fat soluble vitamin plays a vital role (as a cofactor) i...

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The incidence of childhood atopic disease in developed countries has increased dramatically over the past several decades. In Australia at present one in four children is affected. The exact reason(s) for this is still not completely understood. It may be linked to our environment, the food we are eating, changes in our lifestyle, genetics or a combination of these factors.

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Enzymes are specialised protein molecules found in all living cells. They accelerate and regulate all biochemical reactions that occur in the human body. An enzyme itself does not change during a reaction but acts as a catalyst by changing one compound (known as the “substrate”) into another (known as the “product”). Enzymes also play a key role in digestion. They break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats enabling us to benefit from the nutrients found in these foods, while removing the toxins. Enzymes turn the food we eat in energy.

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This newsletter is going to discuss the connection between our gut and the immune system, and the importance of maintaining a healthy gut for a strong immune system. This is a huge topic, so unfortunately this article is only a brief summary.

The immune system protects our body from foreign substances, cells and tissues, and includes the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and special lymphoid tissue found in the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow. It is an internal communication system, made up of networks of integrated cells, which are there to protect our body. A good analogy is to imagine the human immune system as an entire military force in place ready to recognise, attack and destroy any "invaders" in order to preserve health. The immune system has three main functions, these are to:
1) Identify foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical toxins.
2) Destroy each specific type of foreign substance (one plan of attack does not apply to all invaders).
3) Maintain a "built-in" memory to recall the specific type of invader next time it enters the body.
When the immune system is not able to differentiate between the host (you) and an invader it may begin to destroy healthy cells and tissues in our body. This is referred to as an autoimmune disorder.

Last year I posted a newsletter that discussed the strong link between our gut and the brain (The Gut Brain Connection). This mentioned the enteric nervous system (ENS), which is imbedded in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, and how it has a complex interaction with the gut and the immune system. The gastrointestinal associated lymph tissue is the largest immune compartment in the body. Many people do not realise that approximately 80% of our immune system is located in our digestive system, which explains why it is vital to maintain a healthy gut to ensure optimal health.

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This newsletter is going to look back at specific nutrients that I have discussed over the last few years. The primary focus will be on those nutrients which have demonstrated an ability to support gastrointestinal metabolism and mood, behaviour and anxiety disorders.

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We require a person with knowledge/experience in microbiology for a major compounding pharmacy in Sydney. The role will involve: Making compounded sterile medicines, Microbiological testing, staff training, implementation of SOP's, and overall supervision of a small sterile department. It is an opportunity to gain experience from the ground up the implementation of a functional sterile lab. Working in a team environment in a growing private business. This is a fulltime position, Mon-Fri, and training will be provided. Applicant must be an Australian resident.

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This newsletter is a continuation of the final newsletter of 2011 on Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In part one we started to look at various natural measures, such as diet and nutritional supplementation, which have demonstrated promising results (relating to improved mental function) in the early stages of AD.* As mentioned in part one, AD affects between 5 -10% of people over the age of 65 years; with the frequency rising with increasing age. Nutritional status is directly related to cognitive function in the elderly and given the frequency of nutrient deficiency in the elderly population it is likely that many cases of impaired mental function may have a nutritional etiology.
*Please note - in the advanced stages of AD natural measures are of only limited benefit.

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This newsletter is the first of two parts which will be discussing some of the various natural treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is the most common form of dementia and is characterised by memory loss, difficulties with language, and motor and sensory functions. As the disease progresses changes in mood and behaviour increase. It is associated with an inability to carry out activities of daily life. The person affected is not usually aware of the memory loss. AD affects between 5 -10% of people over the age of 65 years; with the frequency rising with increasing age.

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Autism Exit Australia – November Conferences Featuring international and local speakers.

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