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.

There is much convincing observational and well substantiated clinical evidence that food additives, flavourings and colours can lead to hyperactivity. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo- controlled trial reported in Lancet 2007 has provided further proof of this undesirable relationship. In summary, the study found a strong case that food additives exacerbate hyperactive behaviours – inattention, impulsivity, and over excitability – in childhood. The study showed that adverse behaviours from additives was not restricted to children with ADHD, but could also be seen in the general population.