by Fleur Borrelli, nutritionist at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy The skin and the brain are intricately linked. Both produce the same hormones and neurotransmitter substances. In the skin, serotonin should be converted to melatonin which acts as a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. It is no wonder, therefore, that the skin condition psoriasis is linked to both depression and anxiety disorders (1) . A lack of nutritional cofactors such as vitamins B6 and B12 may prevent this conversion in a biochemical process known as methylation. Geographical latitude may also influence incidence of psoriasis as beneficial sunlight is also needed to produce melatonin (2) . Overuse of sunscreens and lack of exposure to the sun will also inhibit the production of vitamin D, vitally important for the integrity of the barriers of the body which include the intestinal lining, the blood brain barrier, the synovial lining and of course the skin (3) . The function of the barriers is...

By Fleur Borrelli, nutritionist at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy It is a relatively unknown fact that our body produces its own toxins as part of our normal metabolism. Our intestinal bacteria may also release by-products from metabolism that can be damaging to our health. This is before we even consider the toxins that come in from the environment. Fortunately we have evolved a complex network of systems to get rid of toxins that have been created internally. The antioxidant system cleverly destroys free radicals during chemical reactions in our cells before they can damage the cell itself. The liver, amongst its multitude of tasks, will take a toxic molecule which is generally fat soluble and transforms it into a water soluble molecule to be excreted out of the body in urine via the kidneys. Even fat soluble molecules can be shifted into bile which is then squirted into the intestine and ejected from the body in faeces. Sweating can lose any heavy metals lurking ...

by Fleur Borrelli, Nutritionist Here are some excellent tips to help you stay young. Aerobic exercise Exercise on an empty stomach Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit Avoid environmental chemicals Eat whole foods Live! Laugh! Love! For more information or appointments, you can contact Fleur at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 0208 789 3881 or send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk or visit our website. Nutrition and Superfood website: www.nutritionandsuperfood.co.uk Telephone: 07766 883 522 for a free consultation.

by Fleur Borrelli, Nutritionist How effective we are at exercising aerobically all depends on our mitochondria. Mitochondria are little sub-units, known as organelles, inside our cells. These are the power-houses of the cell, the engines, where make most of our ATP which is the body’s energy currency is generated. Apart from producing energy for us, they coordinate other actions such as becoming a skin cell or a muscle cell. They also manage cell death which needs to occur in a way that does not cause collateral damage and can even be beneficial to us. Our mitochondria are so vital to health that we need to treat them well. They are semi-autonomous and reproduce independently of the cells they live in a way that is very similar to a bug. In fact microbiologists believe that at the beginning of time they might have lived freely as bacteria, until they took up resident in larger cells. They even have their own DNA to produce proteins which help our cells to work. When we engage...

By Fleur Borrelli BSc Nuit med,BA Hons Nutritionist at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy Berries contain plant chemicals known as polyphenols. These are found in vegetables and fruit as well as in coffee and cocoa. Recently one category of polyphenols (anthocyanins) found in strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries have attracted attention for enhancing cognitive function in the elderly. Whist it is still early days for any conclusive evidence, there is no harm in eating a handful per day,fresh or frozen.