Tag: craniosacral therapy

Breast Milk Production: How It Changes, Why It Matters, and How to Support It

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Breast milk is an extraordinary and dynamic food. It is not just “milk” in the simple sense of the word, but a living fluid that adapts to your baby’s stage of growth, immune needs, and development.

As a nutritionist, I often speak to mothers who worry about whether their milk is “good enough”, whether they are producing enough, or whether their own nutrition is affecting their baby. The short answer is that breast milk is beautifully designed for human babies — but maternal health, nutrient status, and breastfeeding support still matter greatly.

In this article I want to explain, in a clear and practical way, how breast milk is produced, how it changes over time, what it contains, and when it may be helpful to seek extra support.

Colostrum: your baby’s first milk

The very first milk your body produces is called colostrum. This is present from birth and is made in small amounts during the first 2 to 3 days after delivery.

Colostrum is often thick and yellowish in colour, and although the volume is small, it is incredibly concentrated. It is rich in:

  • immune factors
  • antibodies
  • white blood cells
  • growth factors
  • protective compounds for the baby’s gut

In those first few days, colostrum helps to line and protect the baby’s intestinal tract, supports early immunity, and gives the baby a highly concentrated form of nourishment while their digestive system is adapting to life outside the womb.

When does “milk come in”?

Around 2 to 4 days after birth, milk production usually increases and the breasts may begin to feel fuller. This stage is often referred to as the milk “coming in”.

This happens because, after birth and delivery of the placenta, progesterone levels fall, allowing prolactin to stimulate milk production more effectively.

Two key hormones are involved here:

  • Prolactin – supports the production of milk
  • Oxytocin – helps the milk flow from the breast, often called the “let-down reflex”

Oxytocin is stimulated by your baby suckling, but it is also influenced by your nervous system. Stress, exhaustion, pain, and feeling unsupported can all affect how easily milk lets down, which is one reason why emotional and physical support in the early postnatal period matters so much.

Colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk

Breast milk does not suddenly switch from one type to another overnight. It develops in stages:

1. Colostrum

The first milk, produced in the first days after birth.

2. Transitional milk

This follows colostrum and is produced during roughly the first 2 weeks after birth. It contains increasing amounts of fat, lactose, and calories as milk supply becomes established.

3. Mature milk

After this early stage, mature milk becomes established. This is still not a static substance — it continues to change according to your baby’s needs, your feeding pattern, time of day, and stage of lactation.

So although we use the term “mature milk”, breast milk remains a living, changing fluid throughout the whole breastfeeding journey.

What does breast milk contain?

Breast milk is a complete and highly specialised food for babies. It contains:

  • water
  • fat
  • lactose (milk sugar)
  • protein
  • vitamins and minerals
  • enzymes
  • hormones
  • antibodies
  • immune factors
  • growth factors
  • bioactive compounds that support development and gut health

A general composition of mature breast milk is approximately:

  • 87% water
  • 3–5% fat
  • around 7% lactose
  • 0.8–0.9% protein

It provides both macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients, but it also does much more than feed a baby. It helps to shape the immune system, support the intestinal tract, and establish the baby’s microbiome. Breast milk is therefore both nutrition and communication between mother and baby.

Foremilk and hindmilk: do they matter?

You may have heard the terms foremilk and hindmilk.

  • Foremilk is the milk at the beginning of a feed and tends to be lower in fat.
  • Hindmilk is the milk later in the feed and is usually richer in fat.

Both are important. Rather than becoming anxious about the exact moment one becomes the other, the more useful principle is usually to allow the baby to feed well from one breast before switching, so that they have the opportunity to take in the full range of milk during that feed.

If your baby does not finish the second breast, it can be helpful to begin the next feed on the breast that was last used.

That said, every baby is different, and if feeding feels difficult, painful, very short, very long, or your baby seems unsettled after feeds, it is worth getting proper breastfeeding support rather than trying to work everything out alone.

Is breast milk enough for a baby?

This is one of the most common questions I hear from mothers, especially in the first weeks.

In most cases, yes — breast milk is enough. For a healthy term baby, breast milk is considered the ideal food and can provide everything a baby needs for the first 6 months of life, when breastfeeding is going well and the baby is feeding effectively.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by the introduction of appropriate complementary foods from around 6 months, while continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years and beyond if desired.

Of course, breastfeeding is not always straightforward, and there are times when extra support is needed. Some mothers struggle with supply, pain, latch, exhaustion, recovery after birth, or uncertainty about whether their baby is feeding effectively. In those situations, support should never be delayed.

Breast milk and the baby’s gut

One of the most fascinating aspects of breast milk is the way it supports the intestinal tract.

Colostrum and mature milk both contain compounds that help protect and nourish the gut lining. Breast milk also contains human milk oligosaccharides, which are special carbohydrates that act as prebiotics. These help feed beneficial bacteria in the baby’s gut and support immune development.

This is one of the reasons breast milk is so much more than a source of calories. It actively helps shape the baby’s internal environment, including the balance of bacteria in the intestinal tract.

Fats in breast milk and brain development

Fat is a major component of breast milk and is essential for growth, brain development, the nervous system, hormones, and cell membranes.

Breast milk fats include:

  • triglycerides
  • saturated fats
  • monounsaturated fats
  • omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

Some aspects of breast milk fat are influenced by the mother’s diet and nutritional status, especially long-chain omega-3 fats such as DHA.

This is why maternal nutrition matters so much in pregnancy and breastfeeding. A mother’s diet does not have to be perfect, but it does need to be nourishing enough to support her own recovery, hormone balance, energy, and nutrient reserves, as well as the baby’s ongoing development.

This is especially important in mothers who are vegetarian, vegan, depleted after pregnancy, or have been running on stress, low appetite, or poor sleep for months.

Protein, antibodies and immune protection

Breast milk contains a wide range of proteins, not only for growth but also for protection and immune support.

These include:

  • secretory IgA
  • lactoferrin
  • lysozyme
  • alpha-lactalbumin
  • many other bioactive proteins and enzymes

These compounds help protect the baby’s intestinal tract, support the immune system, and contribute to healthy development.

The protein content of breast milk naturally changes over time, which is one more example of how beautifully adaptive human milk really is.

What about iron, vitamin D and vitamin K?

This is an important area, because many mothers understandably ask whether breast milk contains enough of everything.

Iron

Breast milk contains relatively small amounts of iron, but the iron it does contain is very well absorbed by the baby. Healthy full-term babies are also born with iron stores that help support them in the first months of life.

This is one reason why maternal iron status during pregnancy matters, and also why delayed cord clamping can be beneficial for infant iron stores after birth.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the nutrients that deserves special attention. Breast milk is generally not a rich source of vitamin D unless maternal levels and supplementation are sufficient, so this is something to consider carefully in both pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Vitamin K

Breast milk is naturally low in vitamin K, which is one of the reasons newborn babies are routinely offered vitamin K at birth.

Overall, maternal nutrient status still matters greatly. I often encourage mothers to think not only about “feeding the baby”, but also about building and maintaining their own nutrient reserves.

Should mothers keep taking supplements while breastfeeding?

In many cases, yes, continuing nutritional support during breastfeeding can be very beneficial.

As a nutritionist, I often find that mothers are still significantly depleted after pregnancy and birth, especially if they have had:

  • low iron in pregnancy
  • nausea or poor intake
  • twins or closely spaced pregnancies
  • a difficult birth or caesarean section
  • poor sleep and high stress
  • a restrictive diet
  • ongoing breastfeeding demands on top of everything else

For many women, continuing with a good-quality pregnancy or postnatal multinutrient while breastfeeding can be a sensible option, depending on the individual case. This is particularly relevant where iron, vitamin D, iodine, omega-3 fats, or B vitamins may be low.

Of course, supplementation should never replace a good diet, but it can be a very useful part of supporting maternal recovery and milk quality.

What can affect milk supply?

There are several reasons why milk supply may feel low, or why a baby may not seem to be getting enough milk. Sometimes the issue is milk production, and sometimes it is milk transfer — in other words, the baby is not feeding effectively enough to remove milk well from the breast.

Possible factors include:

  • difficult or inefficient latch
  • infrequent feeding in the early days
  • maternal anaemia or significant blood loss after birth
  • retained placental tissue
  • breast surgery or breast tissue issues
  • hormonal or metabolic imbalances
  • maternal exhaustion, illness, stress, or undernourishment
  • a baby who is sleepy, unsettled, or struggling to feed effectively

This is why I always say: if breastfeeding feels hard, painful, confusing, or if your instincts tell you something is not right, please seek support early.

What about colic, constipation or digestive discomfort?

This is an area where parents can feel very worried and very overwhelmed.

Some babies are windy, unsettled, refluxy, or uncomfortable in the first weeks and months while their digestive system is maturing. But it is important not to dismiss every symptom as “just colic”, and equally not to panic about every variation in bowel habits.

Breastfed babies can have a very wide range of normal stool patterns. Some pass stools several times a day, while others may go less often once feeding is established. However, if a baby has hard stools, persistent distress, poor weight gain, blood in the stool, recurrent vomiting, or significant feeding difficulty, it is important to get them properly assessed.

Jaundice in the breastfed baby

Jaundice is quite common in newborns, especially in the first days and weeks of life, but it should always be discussed with a midwife, health visitor, GP, or neonatal team so that the baby is assessed appropriately.

There are different reasons why jaundice can occur. One is insufficient milk intake, where a baby is not feeding effectively and bilirubin is not being cleared well. Another is breast milk jaundice, which can occur in otherwise healthy, thriving breastfed babies and may last longer.

The key point is this: never assume jaundice is “just normal” without proper assessment, especially if the baby is sleepy, not feeding well, losing weight, or the jaundice seems prolonged.

Cow’s milk protein allergy and reactions through breast milk

Some breastfed babies can react to proteins from the mother’s diet that pass into breast milk, most commonly cow’s milk protein, and sometimes soy.

One possible presentation is food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis, which may show up with:

  • blood or mucus in stools
  • reflux-like symptoms
  • vomiting
  • irritability
  • eczema in some cases

This should always be assessed properly, because not every unsettled baby has an allergy, and not every rash or digestive symptom is caused by food proteins. If there is a genuine suspicion of cow’s milk protein allergy, a carefully guided maternal elimination trial may be appropriate, while also making sure the mother’s own diet remains nutritionally adequate.

Breastfeeding support matters

Breastfeeding is natural, but it is not always easy. It is very common for mothers to need support with:

  • latch and positioning
  • nipple pain
  • milk supply concerns
  • expressing and combination feeding
  • maternal nutrition during breastfeeding
  • reflux, wind, stools, or feeding-related questions
  • starting solids and how to transition well at 6 months and beyond

Sometimes what is needed is breastfeeding support. Sometimes it is nutritional support for the mother. Sometimes it is simply reassurance and a proper assessment of what is happening rather than guessing in the dark.

Final thoughts

Breast milk is a remarkable living fluid. It begins as colostrum, develops through transitional milk into mature milk, and continues to adapt throughout the breastfeeding journey. It nourishes, protects, communicates, and supports the baby in ways that go far beyond calories alone.

At the same time, mothers deserve support too.

If you are pregnant, preparing for breastfeeding, already breastfeeding, or feeling unsure about your own nutritional status, your baby’s feeding, your milk supply, or how to support your baby’s gut and development, getting the right support early can make a real difference.

How I can support you

I work with mothers during preconception, pregnancy, postnatal recovery, and breastfeeding, supporting areas such as:

  • maternal nutritional status
  • iron, vitamin D and general nutrient support
  • breastfeeding nutrition
  • digestive concerns in babies
  • weaning and introducing solids
  • postnatal recovery and nervous system support

If you would like support with your own nutrition during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or you would like to explore a more personalised approach for you and your baby, you are welcome to book a consultation with me.

Maria Esposito BSc (Hons)
Nutritionist & Craniosacral Therapist

Information taken from various sources:

From the article: Physiology, breast milk: Sarah Sabir; Ali F. Alhawaj. link to national Institued of Health and websearch.

Craniosacral therapy: “what do you feel?”

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

During sessions, people often ask me, “What do you feel?”

Each person responds differently to a craniosacral session because every system has its own map, history, and way of responding to life experiences.

As I connect with the whole system — physical, emotional, and sometimes spiritual, when appropriate — I may notice different sensations through my hands and awareness. Often I feel heat, tension, or pain, especially when working around the head area.

For me, pain can sometimes reflect inner conflict, stress, or thoughts and emotions that the person may not yet be fully aware of. The body and brain often communicate through sensations before the conscious mind understands what is happening. When this arises, we gently explore what may be going on emotionally or mentally, allowing space for awareness, compassion, and new possibilities.

My role is to support the system and the person in letting go of what is no longer needed, with care, love, and compassion. As this happens, the whole system often begins to reorganize and adjust naturally. People frequently describe feeling lighter, calmer, more flexible, and more at ease afterward. Sometimes changes continue unfolding in daily life without great effort.

Heat can carry a different meaning. It may relate to anger, frustration, emotional intensity, or unresolved feelings toward oneself, another person, or a life situation. At times, especially with children, these feelings may even reflect emotional dynamics around them.

Children often release these patterns more easily. When parents become aware of what the child may be experiencing emotionally — whether frustration, fear, uncertainty, or difficulty adapting to new situations — they are often better able to support their child with understanding and openness.

Every person experiences life differently, and every body responds in its own way. The session respects the wisdom of the individual system and supports the person according to their own unique journey.

Book your healing session and see how you unfold in your own way and time!

Grounding and integrating, two distinctive things

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Everyone now talks about being grounded, that you need to ground, go out of your hand, think of feet, etc.. Well they are correct that you need to be grounded and thinking of your body and feet, but the reality of many people is, that they are very grounded, they do feel their feet, but they are not integrated into their body, they can be very solid on the ground, but part or aspect of themselves are completely ungrounded and not connected to their body.

This usually happen with trauma, either from babies, childhood or even in adulthood, where that trauma has not been processed, and hence part of your essence is out of your body. For some will be very difficult to ever be integrated into their body, unless they address, with the help of a therapist of their choice, the unconscious trauma. Some trauma that happens before the age of 2, where only sensation are stored into that trauma, are very difficult to address by yourself, as you feel that there is something, but not knowing what it is, you will keep ignoring it as something that will pass. Even though it returns over and over again.

With my gentle craniosacral therapy/healing approach, including some Neurolinguistic Programming input, in getting yourself your own positive resources for healing, that integration, will happen very quickly and smoothly.

Your vagal nerve, will settle and your mind and body start to feel safe. Depending on your system and what you would like to heal, there might be 5 to 10 session to get your on a possible integration with yourself to find new easy way to be yourself and feel grounded and integrated.

If you live in North London or you would like a distance healing, do book your appointment and you will have your 1st step to your own healing. Look at my website and prices to book your appointment click here

The Health Benefits of Apples: Why One a Day Matters

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Almost everyone knows the expression “one apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Even in Italy, where I grew up, we used this saying! Being lucky enough to grow up in the countryside near the seaside, I didn’t realize at the time that not everyone had the same fortune of picking their own fruits and vegetables from their front yard.

I remember simply going under the tree, picking the fruits of the season, washing them, and eating them. I don’t think I have ever tasted fruit quite like that again. The only time I still experience it is when I go back to Italy, where my parents still pick pears from the tree for our breakfast.

But fruits in general contain a good amount of nutrients and vitamins, so why are apples the ones most associated with this famous expression? I’m not sure exactly where or when it started, but here are some facts about apples, their history, and their qualities.

There are about 25 common types of apples, and they vary in colour and texture—from green to deep red. Some are sweet, such as Red Delicious and Royal Gala (my favourite), while others have a sharper taste, like Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Cox apples.

It is believed that the original apple tree comes from Eastern Europe and Southwestern Asia. Through cultivation and hybridization—the process of combining different varieties or species of trees to create new ones—many more varieties have developed over time from the original apple tree.

In the past, apples were even thought to help people stay forever young. Modern scientific studies show that regular consumption of apples may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes, partly because apples release sugar slowly into the bloodstream.

Apples contain high amounts of flavonoids, especially quercetin. Quercetin is an antioxidant that helps protect the integrity of cell membranes. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells, and the outer part of these cells can constantly be under attack from oxidation. Quercetin, along with other antioxidants such as vitamin C and many flavonoids found in colourful fruits and vegetables, helps protect our cells from damage.

Quercetin also helps block the inflammatory cascade, which plays a role in several inflammatory conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and allergies.

Of course, some people may be allergic to apples. In that case, it is important to find suitable alternatives or solutions.

Another important component of apples is pectin. Pectin can help lower cholesterol levels by improving intestinal motility and reducing the reabsorption of fats and toxins—in other words, it helps the body eliminate waste more efficiently.

One medium apple provides about three grams of fibre. Eating about two apples a day may reduce cholesterol levels by up to 11 percent. Pectin is helpful not only for relieving constipation but also for easing diarrhoea. In fact, the over-the-counter medication Kaopectate contains pectin.

Nutritionally, raw apples provide vitamin C, pectin, fibre, potassium, and phytochemicals such as ellagic acid (another antioxidant) and quercetin.

So when people say that “one apple a day keeps the doctor away,” there is some truth to it. However, many fruits contain valuable nutrients, antioxidants, and fibre. For this reason, it is important to vary and combine different fruits to gain the widest range of health benefits.

Hopefully this has convinced you to start carrying an apple—or perhaps two—in your lunch box or bag. Of course, other fruits are just as good. A fresh fruit salad is also a wonderful and enjoyable way to get all that goodness!

http://www.nutritionhealth.net

Swaddled baby Leo and unswaddled baby Mia sleeping in a crib

Swaddling or not swaddling your baby — that is the question.

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

If you have swaddled your baby, please don’t worry — all is well and nothing harmful has happened.

I have been researching swaddling and have not found strong medical evidence clearly proving significant long-term pros or cons. Historically, swaddling began in cultures where babies stayed very close to their parents throughout the day. Babies were often carried on the front or back while parents worked or went about daily life, and swaddling sometimes helped them feel secure and connected to their caregivers, especially during sleep.

From what we understand about infant brain development, movement is an important part of growth. Each movement helps stimulate the brain and supports the development of new neural connections. Because of this, some practitioners believe that babies benefit from freedom to move and stretch their bodies.

Sometimes babies who seem to need swaddling to settle may simply be adjusting to the experience of birth. Birth can occasionally be physically intense — for example after a caesarean birth, ventouse or forceps delivery, or a labour that was very fast or very long. Stress or emotional challenges during pregnancy can also influence how both mother and baby adjust after birth.

If you did swaddle your baby and your child is now a toddler, please be reassured: they are absolutely fine. Swaddling has been used for generations.

However, if you currently have a baby who struggles to settle and seems uncomfortable, you may wish to explore gentle supportive approaches that aim to help babies relax and find balance in their bodies. Some parents choose to see a craniosacral therapist — like myself — with 16 years of experience working with mothers and babies and 35 years of experience as a holistic therapist.

If you live in North London, look at the options below for either my private practice in various clinics or a community clinic drop-in.

Silhouette of a glowing humanoid form composed of illuminated leaves in a dark forest

Release Old Traumas for Better Wellbeing: Start Your Healing Journey

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

It is now more than ever that our human body, either the physical, mental and emotional needs more help to heal than ever. The unbalance in more than one Country, can affect everybody in the entire World, as we are all one, this can affect our fields of emotion, mental, spiritual and eventually physical. This is even more for more sensitive people children, babies and sensitive adults, including spiritual open adults. It feels that we are swimming again the current, and getting tired or exhausted without doing anything. If you are feeling that is harder than usual to do the exact same things, you are right. Even if you do not notice it as much or you do not have time for that, well this is the time to ask for help. All the old Karma, or trauma or emotions that you have bottled up within you, needs to go, and now it is the time.

Nutritionally, physically, mentally and spiritually, it is time to let go!

Book your session to start shedding things that no longer serve you any good!

Craniosacral Therapy for Pregnancy

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Craniosacral therapy during pregnancy is a gentle, non‑invasive treatment that supports the body through the physical and emotional changes of this important time. Using a light, sensitive touch, the therapy works with the nervous system to encourage deep relaxation, helping the body release tension and adjust naturally as it prepares for birth.

Pregnancy sessions offer a calm and nurturing space to rest, slow down, and connect with your baby. Treatments last around one hour and are given with you fully clothed, resting comfortably—usually lying on your side with supportive cushions so you can relax completely.

Many clients find that their body begins to gently unwind during the session, allowing stress and everyday pressures to settle. Craniosacral therapy can help ease common pregnancy discomforts such as back tension, support pelvic balance, and encourage a sense of overall wellbeing.

Clients often describe feeling more connected with their baby and more confident as they approach labour and birth. By calming the nervous system and supporting the body’s natural balance, the sessions can help you meet your birth experience with greater ease and trust.

Support After Birth

Craniosacral therapy can also continue after your baby is born. Newborn sessions offer gentle support for babies as they settle into the world, particularly if they have experienced birth strain or simply need help relaxing and adjusting.

Post‑partum sessions for mothers provide time to rest, recover, and reconnect with your body after pregnancy and birth, supporting both physical and emotional wellbeing during this important transition.

Book your session today and experience the wonder of this therapy for you and your baby!

Beetroot, Betaine and Methylation for immunity and more

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Beetroot, Betaine, and Methylation and immunity

Raw Beetroot contains betaine (trimethylglycine, TMG), which is indeed involved in the body’s methylation cycle.

Betaine helps convert homocysteine → methionine in the liver via the Betaine-Homocysteine Methyltransferase (BHMT) pathway. This supports production of S‑adenosyl methionine (SAMe), which is the body’s main methyl donor.

SAMe is used in hundreds of processes, including:

  • Neurotransmitter metabolism (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine       and more)
  • Liver detoxification
  • DNA methylation
  • Hormone metabolism

Methylation Genes

Several genes affect how well the methylation system works.

MTHFR

This gene helps activate folate for methylation. Variants can reduce efficiency of the cycle.

COMT

COMT uses SAMe to methylate catechol compounds, including: Dopamine, Adrenaline, Estrogen metabolites

People with slower COMT variants sometimes describe feeling “wired but tired”, because neurotransmitters clear more slowly.

Magnesium and COMT

COMT requires magnesium as a cofactor, so adequate magnesium can support the enzyme’s activity.

One commonly used form is: Magnesium glycinate. It’s often chosen because it’s well absorbed and gentle on digestion.Glycine and Hormone Metabolism

Betaine contains glycine, and glycine plays roles in: Liver detox pathways, Glutathione production, Neurotransmitter balance

SAMe-dependent methylation reactions also help process catechol estrogens, which is why methylation is sometimes discussed in relation to hormone balance. However, it’s important to note that hormone metabolism involves many systems, not only methylation.

Beetroot for Cough Relief

My mother used to support my immune system with raw beetroot juice, beetroot as well as TMG contains the following:

Nitrates → improve circulation

Polyphenols → anti-inflammatory

Vitamin C and antioxidants

Beetroot should not be consider a substitute for medication for your cough, however, if it does help and your cough is reduced than it is worth investigating your gene pool.

Traditional remedies often worked because they supported nutrition and immunity, even if people didn’t know the chemistry. Nowdays, we might have forgotten than food is still our main medicine and health, but also our own destroyer if we eat non-nutrition dense food! eg. take away food and more…. Let food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food!

IVF support before, during and after! Connecting to your body!

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

I have worked with few mothers that were going to use IVF as the last resort, due to the mother or father being unable to conceive for unknown reasons at times.

Now infertility can happen for many reasons, and it seems that the past 20 years is increasing, due to high oestrogen in water, in food and the toxins in the environment. So many different reasons that at time, even with a very good nutrition, adjusting the body, doing lots of complementary therapy, still, things do not happen.

For whatever reason, you need to decide to go through IVF, make sure that you are prepared, for success or failure.

Nutritionally is important to have a good healthy body, the thyroid is one of the key essential organ also to allow the success of the IVF and or pregnancy in general.

Usually the doctors will do all the test to check that all is in order. Nutritionally, B12, folic acid, iron and protein are few of the most important factors. Sometimes an allergy to wheat and gluten can cause inflammation and hence low probability of success in pregnancy. Sometimes is the milk of eggs that are the problems. I use a method called NAET to test and help to reduce the over reaction for certain foods.

I have seen women before, during and after the IVF to support them through the journey, nutritionally, emotionally, physically and mentally, as well as spiritually at times with some women.

This is valid for all pregnancy in whatever way you achieve that blessing!

Craniosacral therapy what it will do for you click here

Nutrition and NAET click here

NLP and craniosacral therapy click here

CST leads you to connect to your body, before, during and after pregnancy, connect to your baby before, during and post partum, and understand the changes that are occurring in your life.

Resolves conflict with NLP tool before, during and after pregnancy. Be present at all time, whatever happens, understanding and know your feelings and emotions at all time. Becoming your best friend during this wonderful time to your body and your baby! You are already a mother the moment you decide to have a baby!

If you are struggling with IVF, come and see me, to see how you can be supported, you will get an email with suggestions after the session for nutrition:

  • Nutrition alone 1 hour £ 90 pounds (at Crouch end Clinic £ 110)
  • Nutrition and craniosacral therapy, 1 and half hour, of craniosacral therapy £ 120 at N15 (at Crouch end clinic £ 140)
  • Craniosacral therapy only 1 hour at N15 £ 65.00 (at Crouch end clinic £ 80)
  • Craniosacral therapy and NLP 1 hour and half at N15 £ 120 (at Crouch end clinic £ 140)
  • NAET for testing over-reaction to food 1 hour and half N15 £ 120 (at Crouch end clinic £ 140)

Contact me or email me to book your appointments.

Why You Need Vitamin B12: Functions and Benefits Explained

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

As a nutritionist you get always surprised when something that you recommended to one of your clients did exactly what your client told you. Sometimes I think they might be a placebo effect when the improvement is so quick, but I must admit that it is possible.

One of my clients, a while back, said that vitamin B12 sublingual made a huge difference from the moment they took it. Now I thought, well the research mention that it might take few weeks to see a big improvement with sublingual or even with B12 injections, which by the way, sublingual and injections seems to have the same quick effect, so I now might choose the sublingual instead.

I had a series of little things recently, which started from my digestions of food, not as noticeable that I thought of a problem, as everything seems to be ok. I did have a bit of stress due to my dog passed away this year, but I did not think that stress and sadness would turn into a healthy issue, even though I should know better. As usual as therapist we think we are invincible and always ok.

Anyway, I did a good liver detox, digestions make over, food and diet a bit healthier than before (pretty healthy, already), a bit more soups and stew, with plenty of vegetables, nutritious proteins and good fats, and plenty of liver detox support supplements. That made my digestions and liver very, very happy. Now due to the liver and digestions problems, my immune system went down, with more viral infections that I usually have.

The last one is the one that is going around, the sore throat and flu. I manage it again with lots of vitamin C and other immune support. But still could not shift it, even with steam and lots of throat support and gargles with salt and water, and more, it seems my body immunity did not fight back quickly enough.

At some point I was much better, but still at night I would have this irritate cough and a sensation that a frog was stuck in my throat, I decide to go and buy some oregano to support my immune system with the vitamin C and a multi vitamin support. I could not find the oregano but for some nutritional instinct I decided to buy a sublingual Vitamin B12. I took 2 sachets of it of a total of about 500 microgram and within less than 10 minutes my irritate frog went completely, to my amazement, my mucus was loose and little. I thought was only my imagination, but did not have any cough at night and woke up still ok. I feel myself again. Now ideally would want to check my B12, but I am not vegetarian and I thought that might be normal. Eventually I will but could be that is going to be private, as the NHS right now is a bit annoying for appointments.

I looked more into the B12, and in reality, the fact that I had a stomach issue, due to low stomach acid, might have stopped the intrinsic factor and the R factor to transport my B12 into the cells.

Now I will explain a bit more about the absorption, and function of the B12 in more details, for everyone to understand the reason why everyone, from vegan to meat eaters can be low in B12, even though B12 is stored for years, if it is not transported into the cells, it is like you have none.

B12, unlike any other water B vitamins that are excreted every few hours from your body, is stored in the liver, with vitamin D, E and A.

Sources of vitamin B12 are only from animal products, any vegetarian source is by contact with animal or cross contamination or fortified vegetarian food, included cereals. Now the source of fortified food depends on the quality and the form of the B12.

B12 has a corrin nucleus and is part of the groups called corrinoids. This is a macrocyclic ring made of four reduced pyrrole rings linked together, this will carry an atom of cobalt, hence quite often you will see the name of the B12 as cyanocobalamin, hydrocobalamin, and Methylcobalamin and more. The methylcobalamin are the active form as coenzymes for many functions in the body.

Bioavailability of B12 can be impaired by vitamin C, so if you take B12 with a high or low dosage of vitamin C together at the same time or up to 1 hour after meal, such as 500mg, you stop from the B12 to work and be absorbed.

Digestion, absorption, transport and storage of vitamin B12:

Once the B12 is ingested from food, it needs to be released from the enzyme pepsin in the stomach (the stomach acid needs to be working well for the pepsin to be secreted, low stomach acid, will impair the secretion of pepsin and hence, B12 is not going to be released from the food, even if you are a meat eaters or eggs eater).

Also with stress, there is no signal to the stomach to release and activate pepsin to digest the proteins. The vagal nerve, is involved in the digestion process, too much into stress mode or sympathetic mode, will stop your full and healthy digestion, hence my stress or sadness caused by the loss of a dog, who was very dear to me, caused my stress, which caused my low stomach acid, which caused my B12 malfunction, which caused my immunity to go down, and so forth. Connecting the dots……

Once B12 is released from the food ingested, it needs two proteins for working. One is the intrinsic factor (IF) and the other is the R proteins. The IF is again made by the gastric cells (made again with a good and healthy stomach acid). IF is made and released by the stomach during a healthy digestion and works in the small intestine. The R proteins are everywhere in the body fluids, and have a high affinity for cobalamin. R will pick up the free cobalamin and transport it to the duodenum, first part of the small intestine, where the pancreatic juices will release the B12 again, unless you have a pancreatic insufficiency, (low enzyme activity) and again the B12 will not be released into the small intestine for transport into the blood stream. Again, if something goes wrong no B12.

In the proximal small intestine, the IF will pick up the freed B12 and transport it to the ileum, where receptors for B12 will wait for it to be transported into the blood stream. IF can transport B12 through the entire ileum and receptors are everywhere in the small intestine.

It seems that calcium ions is an essential mineral for the absorption of B12 into the blood stream.

From normal ingestion of food with B12, the process of absorption might take 3 to 4 hours before is in the blood stream.

As I mentioned before, B12 is the only one that can be stored in the liver for a long time and even years, and it is also found in small amount in kidneys, spleen, bone, heart and brain.

Now if children are vegan from weaning, and they are not given extra B12 supplementation from early age, there is a possibility that the child will be low in B12, which possible serious issues with their growth.

Some of the Function of B12:

  • Co-enzyme for the conversion of homocysteine into methionine.
  • Essential for the maintenance of the protective sheath surrounding nerves, hence, essential for the good function of the nervous system.
  • Has a key role for the making of a healthy red blood cell, hence essential for circulation and healthy blood.
  • Is a co-enzyme for one of the steps in making the ATP, the energy fuel for your cells, in the Kreb cycle, the energy nuclear power, in the mitochondria (where fuel for your body is formed, the CoA mutase).
  • It is part of the making of the serotonin in your body, the feeling good neurotransmitter, hence important for the health of the brain and mood.
  • Essential vitamin for making and repairing of DNA. This is essential for your life, really. The methylation part is an essential step for the DNA building block and the repair of damaged DNA. Without a sufficient B12, the DNA building and repair will be severely disrupted.
  • Supports also the normal function of the immune system. This is done by promoting white blood cells maturation and formation, as well as synthesis of division and replication of the DNA for the immune system.
  • Essential during pregnancy to prevent birth defect, with folate, this promotes cells division and DNA formation of the baby.
  • Essential for the health of the bones, through the synthesis of taurine, an amino acid essential for bone formation. There is also a positive correlation with good amount of B12 function and bone density.
  •  B12 for the eyes, is essential for the myelin sheath of the eyes, reduces dry eyes and reduction of oxidative stress, as well as inflammation.

Tests for B12 deficiency due to IF deficiency is a full blood count, which will measure serum B12 and some active B12.

An anti-intrinsic factor antibody test can be suggested for pernicious anaemia (autoimmune disease) or megaloblastic anaemia (big red blood cell).

Other tests are also recommended with folate as well.

As you have seen from the B12 ingestion, absorption, transportation and life of the B12, this is not just another B vitamin, is an essential vitamin for your health and life.

If you are vegan or you have children that are also vegan, do consider for life to have B12 sublingual supplementation, to make sure that your children will grow well without health issues, and you, yourself, is healthy.

Even as a meat eaters, if you have low stomach acid, or you are taking medication to reduce your stomach acid, if you had a gastric bypass, or you have any issues with digesting your food, pancreatic issues, bile issue, or constant stress, cannot sleep due to stress, have or had a bereavement, moved houses, or changed your lifestyle or you are the last person that you think about, due to overwhelming responsibility, than think about testing for B12 or even take for a while a sublingual B12 with folate if possible.

If you are pregnant and vegan, do take the vitamin, sublingual, as you have seen the long process and possible problems that the normal digestive journey of the B12 is, and possibly in a normal tablet form, will not reach the blood stream due to any of the digestive system problems.