Microplastics by Melbourne Naturopath

A new study has revealed that people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have 50% more microplastics in their faeces than healthy controls. The concentration of microplastics was also higher for those with more severe IBD, suggesting an association between the two (1). Inflammatory bowel diseases, including crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are complicated, chronic, relapsing conditions characterised by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. More than 6.8 million people are currently estimated to be living with IBD worldwide, and the prevalence is rapidly rising (2). Although the cause of IBD remains unknown, evidence suggests that genetic, immunological, and environmental factors initiate inflammatory and autoimmune reactions (3,4). Microplastics are plastic particles that appear in a configuration of particles and microscopic fibres ranging in size from 1 µm to 5 mm (about the width of a pencil eraser). They are either intentionally added to products, such as cosmetics, cleaning products, and medical applications, or have fragmented and degraded from larger plastic items, including plastics bags and food and beverage packaging. These microplastics contain toxic chemical additives that are known to affect human health, including bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, triclosan, and brominated flame retardants (BFR) (5). Furthermore, they can absorb heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and microorganisms, which can severely impact human health (6,7,8,9,10). Microplastics accumulate in the environment and the food chain. Humans are constantly exposed to microplastics through airborne particulate matter, drinking water, consumer products, drinking water and food sources (11). After ingestion, larger microplastic particles bind to the intestinal epithelium while smaller particles can enter the circulation system and reach other tissues (12,13,14). Although the human health impacts are largely unknown, microplastics have been shown to cause intestinal inflammation, gut microbiome dysbiosis, oxidative stress, intestinal immune dysfunction and increased intestinal permeability in animal models (15,16). In the current study, faecal samples from 50 healthy participants and 52 participants with IBD were analysed to determine the quantity and type of microplastics present. The participants filled in a questionnaire about the foods and drinks they consume, their working and living conditions over the previous year, the status of their IBD, and their demographic characteristics. Analysis of the samples showed that faecal microplastic concentration in IBD patients (41.8 items/g dm ) was significantly higher than that in healthy people (28.0 items/g dm ). The microplastics had similar shapes in the two groups, but the IBD faeces had more small ( In total, 15 types of microplastics were detected in faeces, with the two most common in both groups being polyethylene terephthalate (PET; used in bottles and food containers) and polyamide (PA; found in food packaging and textiles). The abundance and composition of microplastics were significantly affected by drinking and dietary habits, and working and living conditions. The participants with a higher abundance of faecal microplastics usually drank bottled water, consumed plastic-packaged fast food, or were exposed to dust in their working and living conditions. PET is the dominant food packaging material, and these plastics produce plastic flakes. Furthermore, microplastics in bottled water (which can be up to 22 times higher than tap water) are dominated by PET with fragment structures (17). The current study found that the highest abundance of microplastics detected in faeces was PET sheets. The study is the first to compare levels of microplastic exposure between IBD patients and healthy controls. The results suggest that people with IBD may be exposed to more microplastics in their gastrointestinal tract. However, the results cannot prove a causal link between the two due to the study design. Therefore, further research is required to determine whether microplastics cause or contribute to the disease process in IBD or whether people with IBD accumulate more microplastics because of their disease. Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment and the food chain, and research is urgently required to assess the risk of microplastics to human health, including human exposure, pathogenesis, and toxicity effects.  

Naturopathy Can Help With the Following Childhood Conditions

Fiona provides tailored health plans based on a multitude of factors relevant to your child’s symptomology (how they are feeling), pathology (how their body is responding), plus dietary and lifestyle factors.

  • ✅ Digestive complaints – constipation, diarrhoea, loose stools, pain or bloating
  • ✅ Allergies and allergic conditions – such as asthma, eczema or hayfever
  • ✅ Poor Immunity – recurring colds or ear infections
  • ✅ Skin Conditions – rashes, eczema, acne, pimples or allergic reactions
  • ✅ Moods – anxiety, depression or mood swings
  • ✅ Food Intolerances – identifying food reactions
  • ✅ Food Allergies – identifying food reactions
  • ✅ Growth and development issues – fussy eaters or nutritional malabsorption
  • ✅ Behavioural challenges – ADHD or others
  • ✅ Energy – poor energy or chronic fatigue
  • ✅ Picky Eaters – fussy eaters
  • ✅ Sleep – trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

What happens in a children’s nutritionist consultation

During your consultation, Fiona will seek information about your pregnancy, birth and post birth experiences. This will provide an integrated view to give a full picture of the foundations of your child’s health status. You can expect to leave your consultation with a thorough understanding of the potential contributing factors of the presenting symptoms. Fiona will provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates possible herbal/nutritional medicine, dietary/lifestyle recommendations, recipes and handouts. Plus an overview of the consultation so you feel empowered to care for your child’s wellbeing with Fiona’s guidance. At The Children’s Naturopath, Fiona Stock an expert in childhood health, she understands children’s needs and considers working with kids and teens to be an absolute joy. She finds that children typically respond to naturopathic treatment very well – bouncing back to good health in no time.  And she treasures the opportunity she has to teach kids about their bodies and engage them in their health journey, setting them up with strong foundations and knowledge for life.

Meet Children’s Nutritionist – Fiona Stock

Fiona is skilled at getting to the heart of childhood health challenges – helping to initiate lasting change.

Fiona Stock is a respected Paediatric Naturopath & Children’s Nutritionist with a career spanning over 23 years. Armed with an abundance of experience and a true desire to transform your child’s health, she’ll listen closely to understand the underlying causes of their troubling condition. Fiona gets to the heart of your child’s presenting symptoms by deciphering what their body is trying to tell you. She will suggest simple and specific changes as well as herbal or nutritional medicine where required to nurture and restore your child, so they can enjoy the good health they deserve. Deeply compassionate and highly skilled, either of the Naturopathic Consultation Options with Fiona is a wonderful investment in your child’s health. If you’ve tried everything and are yet to find solutions to your child’s health challenges – this could well be the path to take.

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FIONA STOCK | PAEDIATRIC NATUROPATH & CHILDREN’S NUTRITIONIST

Fiona treats the following conditions:

  • ✅Poor Immunity
  • ✅Poor Focus & Concentration
  • ✅ Behavioural Problems
  • ✅ ADHD
  • ✅ Depression
  • ✅ Anxiety
  • ✅ Food Allergies
  • ✅ Food Intolerances
  • ✅ Constipation
  • ✅ Diarrhoea
  • ✅ Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • ✅ Tummy Pain
  • ✅ Eczema
  • ✅ Asthma
  • ✅ Obesity
  • ✅ Auto-Immune Disease
  • ✅ Recurring Infections
  • ✅ Fussy Eaters
  • ✅ Sleep Issues
  • ✅ Plus many more…

Online Learning | Children’s Health | Children’s Nutritionist

Would you like a consultation with me at a fraction of the cost? My online learning classes are jam packed with more advice than I provide in a face-to-face appointment. It’s evidence-based naturopathic wisdom coupled with the latest scientific research on kids health I’ve successfully shared with clients over my 20+ year career.

I’ve also included cheatsheets, checklists, nourishing recipes and 25 page book of class notes.

You will learn:

  • ✅ Understand the cause if common childhood conditions (eczema, poor immunity, food allergies, food intolerances, poor focus & concentration, ADHD, behavioural problems).
  • ✅. Supporting immune function to help support allergic conditions.
  • ✅. Support optimal brain function.
  • ✅. Healthy Eating Plan – including portion size for each age-group.
  • ✅. Natural medicine recommendations,
  • ✅. Plus much more…

Brisbane Child Naturopath | Children’s Naturopath Brisbane

Adelaide Child Naturopath | Children’s Naturopath Adelaide

Sydney Child Naturopath | Children’s Naturopath Sydney

Perth Child Naturopath | Children’s Naturopath Perth

Kids Nutritionist | Children’s Nutritionist | Baby Nutritionist

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