Food and Diet – Polio Clinic WA

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is important in metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. It is required for nerve and cognitive health, protects immune function and prevention of anemia. It can be found in a wide variety of foods – beans, grains, nuts, fish, meat, vegetables, and non-citrus fruits, so it is rarely deficient in those whoContinue reading “Vitamin B6”

Celebrate Celery

Celery and celery seeds contain anti fungal and antibacterial properties as well as anti-inflammatory effects. It can help with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as swollen feet.

Skin and Vitamin B3

Pellagra is the old-fashioned name for sun damaged skin, with dermatitis and ulcers. It is usually associated with a deficiency in Vitamin B3 (niacin). A painful, swollen tongue, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite or diarrhoea may also occur. An article in The New England Journal of Medicine (Damian, 2015) reported that the risk of developingContinue reading “Skin and Vitamin B3”

Vitamins and minerals

Here is a quick guide to symptoms and potential remedies. Vitamins include Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B3, B6, B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K Minerals include Boron/Borax, Chromium, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc. You can see the Zinc elephant, or read Dr Tab’s summary. There are also Essential fattyContinue reading “Vitamins and minerals”

Magnesium

Could one of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency be anxiety? Magnesium is also an impressive infection fighter. It is needed for our cells to synthesise proteins, enable nerve impulses, and efficient muscle function. Magnesium intake is at a low amongst Americans and Australians and it’s believed that this is, in part, due to a major shift fromContinue reading “Magnesium”

Creative, healthy cooking

The Polio Cookbook is still available from our office and contains gems such as creative ways to include eggs in our diet. Eggs are a great source of protein, which slows down the release of plant sugar from flour, pasta and grains. Poached, boiled, fried or scrambled are all simple, or you can include themContinue reading “Creative, healthy cooking”

Instant Soup

No, not dehydrated packet mix, made of salt and sugar. Good old fashioned, easy to make vegetable/chicken/beef/lamb stock. And a cheeky little plug for butter: so much better than margarine.

Pain vs Cheese

It may be more important to ensure a good balance between calcium and magnesium to protect your bone strength. There is good data to suggest that eliminating dairy products from the diet does reduce the pain and stiffness for many people with arthritis. Here is a deeper look at the biochemistry of muscle action whichContinue reading “Pain vs Cheese”

Cravings

Cravings are famously associated with pregnancy, but sometimes they show up at other times. Chocolate, salty foods, red meat, raw meat, ice, avocado, apple juice, ginger, bread/pasta, creamy foods, pizza or cigarettes might point to vitamin or mineral deficiencies – this article discusses some of these.

Celery Seeds

You can eat celery stalks, leaves and seeds, and this versatile vegetables can have antibacterial, anti fungal properties, but it may also help reduce inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, swollen feet, muscle cramps and digestive ulcers. It can improve digestive function and kidney function.