Thank you for booking in to see Me.! I am so excited to help and assist you to great health.
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If you have any previous blood test or results, medication or supplements, bring them along with you.
Please fast for 3 hours prior appointment, hydrate well with water if you are having Live Blood Analysis Testing.
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Benjamin McAvoy
Well, you will find this hard to believe, but your thyroid medication could actually be causing you more harm than good. Have you noticed these symptoms with your thyroid disorder?
Levothyroxine is a prescription drug. It comes as a tablet or capsule you take by mouth. It also comes as an injectable solution that’s only given by a healthcare provider.
Levothyroxine oral tablet is available as the brand-name drugs Levoxyl, Synthroid, and Unithroid.
The more common side effects of levothyroxine can include:
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 000 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
This what you get when taking synthetic drugs.
My suggestion would be to try natural bovine supplements.
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Telehealth & Medi health appointments New available on Zoom
Have you received a diagnosis of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? IBS is characterised by unexplained symptoms rather than being a specific disease, and it is considered a diagnosis made after ruling out other conditions. Symptoms such as bloating, gas, cramping, and irregular bowel function can be better understood by investigating the underlying causes that may be affecting your digestive well-being. Understanding the root cause of digestive dysfunction is crucial since scientific studies have demonstrated the significant impact of the digestive system on overall body health. Naturopathic doctors are equipped to provide effective solutions for determining the reasons behind your symptoms and restoring the health of your gut.
Book an Appointment for Digestive Issues
Hormones exert a significant influence on our overall well-being. In addition to regulating reproductive health, they impact various aspects of our bodies such as metabolism, libido, immune system, digestion, cognitive function, and more. Detecting hormonal imbalances can vary from person to person, but generally, if your hormones need assistance, you may experience a sense of being unlike yourself. If you suspect you have a hormonal imbalance, Benjamin maybe able to provide assistance and guidance.
Book an Appointment for Hormonal Concerns
Do you frequently experience anxiety? Are you finding it challenging to cope with stress? Do you feel persistent fatigue, even after obtaining sufficient sleep? Are you struggling with sleep disturbances? In our increasingly demanding lives, these symptoms are becoming more prevalent in today's world. Consequently, it is crucial to develop effective strategies for managing stress. If you believe that your high-stress lifestyle is adversely affecting your well-being, naturopathic medicine provides various solutions that can assist you in maintaining optimal performance
Book an Appointment for Stress & Fatigue
The primary function of the immune system is to safeguard your body against pathogens like viruses and bacteria that you come across regularly. Nonetheless, numerous individuals experience ailments caused by an imbalanced or compromised immune system. Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis) and atopic disorders (e.g., asthma, allergies, eczema) are instances of conditions that can arise due to immune system dysfunction. Naturopathic medicine offers avenues to enhance and restore the strength and equilibrium of your immune system, thereby alleviating the severity and intensity of your symptoms and, in certain cases, resolving the condition.
Book an Appointment for Immune System Health
Live Blood Analysis involves taking a single living drop of blood from the finger-tip which is then placed under a powerful microscope. The image is then displayed on a screen for both the practitioner and patient to view. Blood transports oxygen, nutrients and other life-giving agents throughout the body to maintain health. It is also the medium for detoxification, delivering cellular waste to the liver and kidneys for elimination from the body. Blood can, therefore, serve as a predictor of health and provide an indication of illness well before symptoms appear. This method of analysis is different from the usual laboratory tests that quantify the levels of certain components in a sample of blood. Live blood screening gives an indication as to the QUALITY of an individual’s blood.
Learn More About Live Blood Analysis
Do you see eye to eye with your doctor? If he or she practises iridology, you may. Practitioners of iridology may use it to assess the tissue strength of the various organs and systems in the body. It is both the science and the art of analyzing body conditions through an examination of the iris, the coloured part of the eye. Many people consider iridology a diagnostic tool, but that is not how I employ it. Iridology does not diagnose disease. But it does help determine the condition of various tissues and organs, and more importantly, it assists with directing questions and dialogue with our clients.. Iridology is also widely used by herbalists and homeopathic doctors to assist them in discovering an individual’s predispositions to various health conditions.
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Kinesiology is a form of therapy that uses muscle monitoring (biofeedback) to look at imbalances that may be causing disease in the body. Kinesiology aims to detect and correct imbalances that may relate to stress, nutrition or minor injuries. Kinesiology is not used to diagnose disorders.
Think of yourself as a computer. By tapping into the ‘hardware’ of your sub-conscious and conscious mind to see what is not functioning optimally and what it then needs to balance or correct itself. I then trigger your body or mind into deep and lasting changes and imprint or anchor new ways of feeling or being with Kinesiology Corrections.
Bartering is the exchange of goods and services between two or more parties without the use of money. It is the oldest form of commerce. Individuals and companies barter goods and services between each other based on equivalent estimates of prices and goods.
Please understand that, not all Barter offers will be accepted
please do not be disheartened.
All Bartering must be completed prior to the consultation (barter) or on the day, unless other agreements have been made. This will make it fair for all.
Please complete the form below and I will respond to your offer of kindness in the exchange between my work and your offering.
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Wouldn't now be the perfect moment for you to assume responsibility for your personal well-being? Reserve your first appointment today.
Benjamin is a certified naturopath who has undergone clinical training that empowers him to perform comprehensive medical assessments from head to toe, specifically tailored to address your unique health concerns.
I invite you to make an Appointment with me today
Having been gifted as a Naturopathic Healer, my purpose in life for the last 20 years has been to help people just like you understand their purpose in this world and clarify the way forward into their future as a result. I have helped countless people understand themselves and the world around them, and I am eager to continue my service for many years to come.
When it comes to helping those who seek my assistance, I try to provide a full range of means of supporting my clients, believing that knowledge truly is power when it comes to our own health and divinity. As a result, I utilise a combination of integrative naturopathy, live blood analysis, iridology, herbalism, as well as the knowledge and experience associated with my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Live Blood Analysis when it comes to my work.
I understand that further exploring this part of yourself can be intimidating and nerve-racking for many, but I come to each session with nothing but warmth and compassion for each of my clients, wanting you to feel comfortable and at ease with everything we discuss. I make sure I am clear and concise with my messages and insights at every turn, wanting to pave a well-defined route forward for you to take that you can be comfortable and confident with no matter what else you are experiencing. Whether you’re one to sit back and listen or ask questions at every turn, I am sure I can easily provide you the answers and information you require to be as educated and excited as possible.
The way forward is an exciting one, so let’s get you prepared!
“My mission of Spiritual Awareness is to provide a safe environment of unconditional love and acceptance, supporting all seekers on their paths of personal and spiritual transformation.”
Benjamin McAvoy, Founder
I invite you to make an Appointment with me today
As an ordained minister, I wholeheartedly believe and acknowledge the wonderful divinity that is fully present in everyone and everything, an important part of each of our beings that deserves to be supported and cherished. As a result, this spiritual centre that exists within all of us can be enjoyed as a physical entity through a Spiritual Awareness Community, a place where people can come together and discuss and uplift each other and others.
It is understandable that accepting our divine nature, and figuring out who we are as a result, can be a confusing time for us all. Becoming connected with others on a spiritual level, and therefore accepting or divine nature on this world, can often be overwhelming, leaving us with many questions and, often, too few answers. Having been gifted as a Naturopathic Healer, my purpose in life for the last 20 years has been to help people just like you understand their purpose in this world and clarify the way forward into their future as a result. I have helped countless people understand themselves and the world around them, and I am eager to continue my service for many years to come.
When it comes to helping those who seek my assistance, I try to provide a full range of means of supporting my clients, believing that knowledge truly is power when it comes to our own health and divinity. As a result, I utilise a combination of integrative naturopathy, live blood analysis, iridology, herbalism, as well as the knowledge and experience associated with my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Live Blood Analysis when it comes to my work.
I understand that further exploring this part of yourself can be intimidating and nerve-racking for many, but I come to each session with nothing but warmth and compassion for each of my clients, wanting you to feel comfortable and at ease with everything we discuss. I make sure I am clear and concise with my messages and insights at every turn, wanting to pave a well-defined route forward for you to take that you can be comfortable and confident with no matter what else you are experiencing. Whether you’re one to sit back and listen or ask questions at every turn, I am sure I can easily provide you the answers and information you require to be as educated and excited as possible.
The way forward is an exciting one, so let’s get you prepared!
“My mission of Spiritual Awareness is to provide a safe environment of unconditional love and acceptance, supporting all seekers on their paths of personal and spiritual transformation.”
Benjamin McAvoy, Founder
As we deal with global uncertain times, our way of life has shifted dramatically and stress levels are at an all-time high. The disruption of our routines and the uncertainty of what’s to come is undoubtedly stressful, and for some, spiked stress levels can disrupt the hair’s natural growth cycle, which may lead to excessive shedding and hair loss.
Hair loss can be caused by an imbalance in hormone levels. Cortisol is one of the hormones often identified with hair loss. Understanding how hormones and hair loss are connected and how to regulate the effects can help lead to healthier hair.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone, one of the glucocorticoids made in the cortex of the adrenal glands which is released into the blood and transported throughout the body. Most cells contains receptors for cortisol which can have many different actions depending on which sort of cells it acts upon. These effects include controlling the body’s blood sugar levels and thus regulating metabolism, acting as an anti-inflammatory, influencing memory formation, controlling salt and water balance, regulating blood pressure, and helping foetal development during pregnancy. All of these functions make cortisol a crucial hormone to protect overall health and wellbeing.
Extended stress leads to longer periods of high cortisol levels. While the adrenal glands are busy making extra cortisol, they make less of the hormones which support healthy hair growth. Sustained high cortisol levels can also lead to other health problems, including a decrease in cell regeneration, impaired mental function, decreased metabolism, and a weakened immune system.
Cortisol is known to affect the function and cyclic regulation of the hair follicle. During periods of stress, cortisol dysregulation can disrupt cell signaling, and oxidative stress can disrupt the normal transitions of the hair growth cycle. In-vitro studies have demonstrated that proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF?), interleukin (IL)-1?, and IL-1?, cause the formation of vacuoles within hair matrix cells as well as abnormal keratinization of the inner root sheath and follicle bulb and inner root sheath. These cytokines have also been shown to disrupt follicular melanocytes and promote the formation of melanin granules within the dermal papilla. They can disturb the hair cycle, which may cause premature arrest of hair cycling. Specifically, these molecules can prevent the hair growth cycle from moving from the telogen phase to the anagen growth phase.
There are three types of hair loss which can all be associated with high stress levels:
Dried Urine Cortisol testing is a non-invasive collection method. It is used as a diagnostic tool to identify chronic stress disorders and may also be useful in understanding stress-related hair loss. This testing is part of the DUTCH Complete™ panel offerings.
The DUTCH Plus® uses four dried urine samples and five saliva samples. These samples are collected over the course of one day, from waking to bed time, and includes three Cortisol Metabolites and the diurnal pattern of Free Cortisol and Cortisone, including the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) with a saliva measurement.
Lipotropic compounds are key within the metabolism, transport and breakdown of fat in the body.
In particular, they play an important role in the removal of excess fats and fat-soluble compounds (including hormones and toxins) from the liver.
Beyond the fundamental support for bile production and lipid metabolism provided by Taurine, Glycine and Inositol, Acetyl-Carnitine can provide additional support by facilitating the ferrying of lipid compounds into mitochondria for beta-oxidation.
Beta-oxidation provides an important source of metabolic energy, particularly during periods of weight loss and between meals, as well as high energy demand states, such as exercise and stress. These metabolic conditions induce the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue, due to the secretion of circulating mediators such as glucagon and the adrenal hormone epinephrine, which increase the rate of lipolysis.
Fatty acid oxidation thus constitutes a high-efficiency alternate method of energy production, i.e. through the conversion of acetyl-COA to ATP in muscles, and the production of ketones from fats in the liver. This can help spare muscles from catabolic breakdown, as well as minimise excess fat accumulation and congestion.
Choline is another important nutrient involved in fat metabolism. Choline functions as a methyl donor and is required for numerous aspects of liver function. Even though choline can be synthesised from methionine, evidence suggests that choline is an essential nutrient itself.
Methionine is therefore sometimes included with lipotropic nutrient supplements, however methionine can put an increased demand on methylation nutrient reserves in order to recycle it from homocysteine. (Otherwise, the homocysteine would accumulate). It is therefore potentially more prudent to avoid exogenous methionine supplementation, leaving adequate supplies to be maintained through folate and vitamin B12 (methylation) status alone.
Lipotropics are necessary nutrients for the maintenance of a healthy liver, and also the body as a whole. Without lipotropics, fats and bile can become trapped in the liver, which may be involved in hepatic issues such as cirrhosis, NAFLD, NASH as well as compromised fat metabolism overall.
Lipotropics differ from Cholagogues and Choleretics (which simply trigger the release and production of bile respectively), by providing the actual substrates necessary to produce the bile. Lipotropics also conjugate the lipid compounds needing excretion (via bile) and metabolise associated lipid compounds to energy and by-products.
These properties give lipotropics a very broad range of clinical uses and applications, and make their inclusion within a wide range of clinical programs almost universally beneficial and well tolerated.
Phase 2 liver pathways are responsible for processing the following compounds;
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If optimum liver function is compromised and obstructed, many of these compounds may not be metabolised effectively and efficiently, potentially resulting in widespread impairments to the body’s normal biochemical pathways.
Lipotropics are responsible for bile production, and bile is key to facilitating the ejection of Phase 2 Liver conjugates into the gut lumen for proper excretion from the body. Therefore, Lipotropics are essential for supporting all Phase 2 detoxification processes.
In particular, fat-soluble compounds requiring detoxification (such as hormone excesses as well as modern chemical toxins and mould toxins) will need adequate bile flow and lipid metabolism capabilities to be dealt with.
In modern society, congested liver function is a common occurrence, with diets high in alcohol, excess sugar and fructose, as well as stress and lack of exercise contributing to chronic liver dysfunction and fat accumulation.
If you are a male, you have likely heard or read about declining testosterone (low T). Testosterone production does decrease with age, but it can also decrease faster from poor lifestyle choices, chemicals in the environment, and conditions such as obesity and diabetes. This creates a host of symptoms such as low sex drive, poor sexual function, decreased muscle mass or the inability to increase it, anxiety, slow healing, low motivation, and more.
While declining testosterone in men is definitely a problem, we also know oestrogen can be just as important when it comes to hormone balance as a man ages. Researchers have discovered that just as women go through menopause due to a dramatic decrease in oestrogen product, middle-aged men also undergo oestrogen-related changes in body composition and sexual function.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine was conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) which found that a diagnosis of male hypogonadism (a drop in reproductive hormone levels high enough to cause physical symptoms) is traditionally made based on blood testosterone levels. However, there is little understanding of the levels of testosterone needed to support certain functions.
ACCORDING TO THE STUDY AUTHORS, A SMALL PROPORTION OF THE TESTOSTERONE MADE BY MEN IS USUALLY CONVERTED INTO OESTROGEN BY AROMATASE, A TYPE OF ENZYME, AND THE HIGHER THE TESTOSTERONE LEVEL IN A MAN, THE MORE TESTOSTERONE IS CONVERTED INTO OESTROGEN.
If the aromatase enzyme is upregulated, a man will become oestrogen dominant. The major clinical signs of oestrogen excess in men are gynaecomastia (breast development), testicular atrophy, erectile dysfunction, depression, and infertility (1). Another potential effect includes a significantly increased risk for type-2 diabetes (2, 3). We know excess oestrogen also causes water retention (less frequent urination) in both men and women, which can lead to excessive sweating, blood pressure spikes or high blood pressure, insomnia, hot flushing around the ears or on the face, night sweats, and brain fog.
On the flip side, what if men do not have enough oestrogen? Oestrogen is required for the activation of testosterone receptors and, in the presence of very low oestrogen this triggers, a loss of testosterone receptors. This decline in the number of testosterone receptors can have a dramatic impact the body because testosterone will not have anywhere to bind and create action. In the same study referenced above, authors developed a testing method using various combinations of testosterone, oestrogen, anastrozole, and goserelin acetate and found that “oestrogen deficiency primarily accounted for increases in body fat, and both contributed to the decline in sexual function” (4). This data confirms that testosterone is not the only important player when it comes to men’s sexual and overall health. Another study shows cortical bone is depleted when oestrogen levels are low (5). This puts men at risk for osteoporosis.
Once again, it is the balance of testosterone and oestrogen that is important! For a long time medical professionals have thought oestrogen is detrimental to a man’s well-being, but we now know that is not entirely true.
Men should test their hormone levels to detect and correct imbalances associated with symptoms. Testosterone and its metabolites and oestrogen metabolism are all reported on the male sex hormone pages of the DUTCH Test®. This allows practitioners to fully evaluate the androgens such as DHEA-S, testosterone, 5a-DHT, 5a and 5b-androstanediol, etiocholanolone, and androsterone. In addition, the three main oestrogens (oestrone, oestradiol, and oestriol) plus oestrogen metabolism will show if a male patient is oestrogen dominant or oestrogen deficient and how his oestrogen detoxification is working. Better patient outcomes can be achieved when evaluating these two hormone sections in tandem.
Image: The pathways of Oestrogens and Androgens and associated metabolites in the DUTCH test.
References
[1] Estrogen and the Male, Judy K. Lee, Julianne Imperato-McGinley, in Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases, 2004.
[2] Diabetes Care. 2013 Sep; 36(9): 2591–2596. Published online 2013 Aug 13. doi: 2337/dc12-2477.
[3] Circulating Estrone Levels Are Associated Prospectively With Diabetes Risk in Men of the Framingham Heart Study, Guneet Kaur Jasuja, PHD,1,2 Thomas G. Travison, PHD,3,4 Maithili Davda, MPH,3 Adam J. Rose, MD,2,5 Anqi Zhang, PHD,3 Mark M. Kushnir, PHD,6 Alan L. Rockwood, PHD,6 Wayne Meikle, MD,6 Andrea D. Coviello, MD, MS,3,7 Ralph D’Agostino, PHD,1,2 Ramachandran S. Vasan, MD,7,8 and Shalender Bhasin, MD3
[4] Gonadal Steroids and Body Composition, Strength, and Sexual Function in Men, Joel S. Finkelstein, M.D., Hang Lee, Ph.D., Sherri-Ann M. Burnett-Bowie, M.D., M.P.H., J. Carl Pallais, M.D., M.P.H., Elaine W. Yu, M.D., Lawrence F. Borges, M.D., Brent F. Jones, M.D., Christopher V. Barry, M.P.H., Kendra E. Wulczyn, B.A., Bijoy J. Thomas, M.D., and Benjamin Z. Leder, M.D., N Engl J Med 2013; 369:1011-1022 September 12, 2013DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1206168.
[5] Serum estradiol levels are inversely associated with cortical porosity in older men. Vandenput L1, Lorentzon M, Sundh D, Nilsson ME, Karlsson MK, Mellström D, Ohlsson C.,J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Jul;99(7):E1322-6. doi: 10.1210/jc.2014-1319. Epub 2014 Apr 2.
[6] The effect of estrogen and androgen on androgen receptors and mRNA levels in uterine leiomyoma, myometrium and endometrium of human subjects. Fujimoto J1, Nishigaki M, Hori M, Ichigo S, Itoh T, Tamaya T., J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1994 Aug;50(3-4):137-43.
[7] The role of estradiol in male reproductive function, Michael Schulster,1 Aaron M Bernie,1 and Ranjith Ramasamy 2 J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Jul;99(7):E1322-6 doi: 10.1210/jc.2014-1319. Epub 2014 Apr 2.