Not only can MSG cause some rather mouth drying, head pounding side-effects in some people, it also now has the unenviable reputation of increasing the risk of obesity. A new study cited in the journal, Obesity (2008;16 1875–1880), has shown that people who eat MSG are more likely to be overweight or obese than those who donʼt, regardless of their total calorie intake or level of physical activity.

Researchers recruited 752 Chinese men and women aged 40–59. Eighty-two per cent of participants used MSG when preparing food at home, with an average intake of 0.33 grams per day. Those who used the most MSG were nearly three times more likely to be overweight or obese than non-users.

The following is an article written by Jill Thomas and was orginally published in Wellbeing Magazine - Issue 104.

Energy is a very straight forward equation really. Quite simple to make in fact. Food acts as fuel and is transformed to cellular energy through a series of chemical reactions that are dependant on key vitamins and minerals. Cellular energy, otherwise known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is constantly being formed and expended and we must produce 32 units of it in every cell in our body, every minute of the day. It is in the mitochondria, the engine room of each cell,  that these crucial energy units are manufactured.

The following is an article written by Jill Thomas and was orginally published in Nature & Health Magazine.

I remember many years ago  in my early naturopathic student days, one of my first ever patients, treated at the college’s student clinic, presented with the classic signs of peptic ulcer-experiencing a burning, gnawing pain in the stomach, commencing shortly after eating. Relieved to have made such a quick diagnosis, I immediately recommended that this poor patient drink a strong cup of Chamomile tea daily and roll around the floor immediately afterwards..needless to say, this patient did not return for a follow-up consultation!

While, as we shall see shortly, this rolling herbal tea method certainly would have helped, there are some far more effective and less physically demanding treatments for this painful condition of the upper gastrointestinal tract!

Helicobacter pylori infection, is a common cause of peptic ulcer and indeed gastritis. It is also a risk factor for gastric malignancies. Antibiotics are normally prescribed to eradicate H.pylori infection, and are effective in about 90% of cases. Unfortunately antibiotics do cause side-effects such as nausea, thrush, abdominal discomfort and antibiotic resistance.