Natural Health with Megan Sheppard: 'Every time I eat an omelette spots break out on my chin'

I know eggs are an excellent source of protein but recently I’ve noticed that every time I eat an omelette or a dessert made mostly with eggs, spots break out on my chin. What would you suggest?

There is no definitive reason or direct link between the consumption of eggs and skin breakouts. Of course, if you notice such a clear and consistent cause and effect then the solution is as simple as cutting out eggs from your diet.

If you are concerned about meeting your protein needs, then there are plenty of ways you can achieve this without needing eggs. Many studies on protein balance indicate that over-consumption of protein is more of a problem than a lack of protein in the diet.

Since we make all of our protein from amino acids, any complete protein we eat must first be broken down into its constituent amino acids before we can actually use it.

Some studies suggest the amount of protein required by humans is roughly a third of what is commonly recommended — with protein metabolism actually being one of the more difficult aspects of digestion.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and are incredibly important to our general wellbeing.

When protein is broken down, we are left with 10 essential amino acids (essential refers to the fact that these must be sourced through the diet as they are not manufactured by the body), and 12 non-essential amino acids (we can manufacture these ones, provided we eat a balanced diet).

Insufficient levels of amino acids can have quite significant consequences — if our levels of tryptophan are low, we feel anxious and have trouble sleeping; if we are deficient in phenylalanine then depression and neurological issues are likely.

If you are looking specifically for vegetarian sources of protein, a balanced wholefoods diet will ensure that you are getting the amino acids and protein that your body needs from nuts, seeds, beans, grains, leafy greens and fruits.

This also means that you avoid the potential health issues associated with the consumption of manufactured and processed high protein vegetarian/vegan products.

I’ve developed arthritis in my right foot, which is making walking painful. I’m 70 years old and up until now have been very active. Is there a natural remedy you could recommend?

Musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis and related issues are the number one problem as we get older, with around half of all people over the age of 55 dealing with some level of pain and reduction in mobility.

One of the most effective herbal remedies for arthritic conditions is Boswellia (Boswellia serrata). Boswellia, also known as Indian Frankincense, can even be used in place of ibuprofen since the active ingredient — boswellic acid — supports the vascular system and helps to relieve inflammation and help reduce vessel constriction.

Boswellia is not only useful in treating arthritis, it can also be used for headaches, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and menstrual cramps.

The usual dosage recommendation is 450mg of Boswellia daily, taken as three doses of 150mg each to relieve pain. When the pain is particularly intense or acute, you can increase this dosage to 300mg (maximum). It is best to take Boswellia at the onset of pain for it to work most effectively.

Ginger tea (Zingiber officinale) can be used to help with joint pain and circulation issues. This kitchen remedy is even more effective for treating arthritis when combined with 10-15ml of organic apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of raw unprocessed honey.

The apple cider vinegar provides nutrients which help to reduce the stiffness and pain, plus it stops the progression of arthritis. Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are other natural remedies worth considering. These two work synergistically to attract fluid and nutrients into the cartilage and provide the necessary components to manufacture cartilage.

Choose a combination formula that includes 500mg of glucosamine sulphate, and take it three times daily.