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Story of health

Tired all the time? Is it chronic fatigue syndrome? Insomnia, stress, susceptibility to back pain, stubborn fat, recurring infections like thrush, skin conditions – these are all commonly seen by Susannah here. It’s not coincidence. We’re getting sicker and fatter – as a nation but also, our health concerns keep coming back. Why?
Currently, we go to the GP. Everything’s “within normal range” we’re told. But they’ll keep an eye on it. Then it’s already happening. We’re on metformin. Statins. We’re on drugs for life.

Modern medicine

Modern medicine

A transformation in healthcare is underway. We’re transitioning from the science and art of treating disease to the science of health and lifestyle healthcare. Standard GP tests don’t offer any insight into our health. They only test for markers that indicate a specific disease or absence thereof.

Story of health

Reference ranges are based on a severely unhealthy population. These ranges only indicate the levels at which we HAVE the disease or the illness. Rather, at Susannah Makram Clinics we’re looking at what’s OUR basic requirement for optimum health.

You see, we might know when we’ve high cholesterol at the moment we need statins or lipid lowering drugs. But what if there was more to this story? What if we have metabolic syndrome. Does it matter? At Susannah Makram Clinics we believe it does. Why? We’re talking about a whole other treatment in that case.

Lifestyle medicine

Lifestyle medicine

Our modern lifestyle may highlight the very need for this transformation, this change. we’re assessing the state of health of our body to see

i) The interactions between systems of our body
ii) How the patterns of these these interaction influence our health

We analyse our functional test results in this way. So we can give you our special formula:
EAT DRINK TAKE MAKE In The Four Phases.

Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis (FBCA)

Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis – Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective, is currently used as a teaching tool in medical schools and institutes of higher learning in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and is the go-to blood chemistry reference manual on the desks and in the clinics of thousands of physicians and healthcare practitioners worldwide.

Pattern analysis of blood chemistry can effectively identify physiological imbalances and nutritional deficiencies by viewing and understanding the complex relationships that exist among blood chemistry factors.

Why blood and who takes it? Blood testing is a medically accepted, proven and a reliable assessment procedure providing a wealth of information on the health and status of our patients. At Susannah Makram Clinics we arrange it so you can have your blood sample drawn at the location you choose. But there is one requirement. The centre must have a centrifuge. This is a device used to spin the blood sample.

Story to health

Story of health

Blood Reference Guide – Clinical Conditions

Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis – Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective helps thousands of practitioners worldwide. Clinical knowledge cannot be replaced but use of FBCA can help you in your day-to-day practice. Do you want to know more about Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis? Contact us.

Answers before drugs

Imagine having answers about eczema or psoriasis. Knowing the triggers or why you have it in the first place. Knowing why stubborn belly fat remains – even after slogging it out in the gym. What about finding small changes we can make to boost our performance, nip excess belly fat in the bud – before it severely affects our health. A way to successfully sleep at night, healthy weight loss, fat burning, get your energy back. A way to look younger, have clear skin, perform, live, grow.

Better health with drugs

At Susannah Makram Clinics we work with the medical community. What can we  achieve after we’re on the slippery slope of necessary pharmaceutical intervention? Well, it’s hard to say exactly. But if we can help manage symptoms to improve function, mobility, energy levels, we find how we do this at your consultation. We can make every day count and better still, pains and aches that persist, can be manageable. We’re here to help manage chronic disease, not cure it. We’re here to improve health, quality of life i.e. function. 

DNA Methylation Epigenetics

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DNA Methylation Epigenetics

Are our genes making us fat? Do we inherit chronic skin conditions & hair loss? DNA Methylation Epigenetics Our DNA contains instructions for building all parts of our body. So, although genetic polymorphisms predispose us to developing a certain health condition, epigenetics or how our environment impacts our genes plays a larger role in the development of a chronic condition such as eczema. 1) 2)

  • The DNA in our bodies is wrapped around proteins called histones.
  • Both the DNA and histones are covered with chemical tags. This second layer or structure is called the Epigenome.
  • The epigenome shapes the physical structure of the genome. It tightly wraps inactive genes making them unreadable. It relaxes active genes making them easily accessible.
  • Different sets of genes are active in differential types.
  • The DNA code remains fixed for life but the epigenome is flexible.
  • Epigenetic tags react to signals from the outside world such as diet and stress. The epigenome dynamically responds to the environment. Stress, diet, behavior, toxins, and other factors regulate gene expression.
  • The epigenome adjusts specific genes in our genomic landscape that responds to our rapidly changing environment.
DNA methylation epigenetics

DNA methylation epigenetics

Our body is a system, an ecosystem where everything is connected. When that system is out of balance, diseases arises.

Nutrigenomics teaches us how to prevent, treat and reverse almost every chronic illness. Chronic disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, allergies, asthma, IBS, reflux, migraines, acne, low sex drive, fatigue and more.

Disease goes away as a side effect of getting healthy. When we treat the cause or causes with proper understanding of these processes that led to the disease, then we’re going to change. We won’t accept that simply living with certain conditions is acceptable.

Immune Modulation and Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammatory disorders such as eczema, acne and psoriasis – skin conditions – are characterised by a hyper responsive immune system.  10 key epigenetic factors must be addressed to regulate and better coordinate our immune response.

1.  Blood Sugar instability  Blood sugar imbalances cause immune dysfunction and malcoordination.  Stable blood sugar is critical for a healthy immune response.

2.  Low Vitamin D Levels Individuals with low vitamin D3 levels (below 40 ng/ml) are at significant risk for developing chronic inflammation and allergy-like conditions 3)

3.   Gut Dysbiosis  Unhealthy microbial imbalance in the gut microbiome leads to leaky gut syndrome and chronic inflammation 4) so we’ve got to address gut issues in order to get well.

4.   Mitochondrial Dysfunction  The mitochondria are the energy producing organelles in each cell of the body.  They are extremely key in the bodies ability to handle oxidative stress.  Dysfunction in the mitochondria leads to increased free radical and oxidative stress which creates immune alterations. Low Glutathione Levels. Glutathione is the major antioxidant within every cell of the body.  It’s critical for white blood cell (WBC) function as the WBCs encounter tremendous amounts of free radical and oxidative stress every second of the day. Low glutathione leads to chronic inflammation and often to auto-immunity 5).

6.  Methylation. Methylation is a key process that protects DNA, turns on and off genetic traits and helps to detoxify environmental chemicals.  Many of us individuals have certain genetic polymorphisms that limit their ability to appropriately methylate. Methylation plays a very important role in T cell function and poor methylation status is associated with the development of autoimmunity. Psoriasis is a T cell mediated inflammatory skin disease. 6)  Poor Omega 6:3 ratio  – the average person has significantly more omega 6 fats than omega 3 fats.  The increased omega 6 stimulate the release of pro-inflammatory mediating prostaglandin molecules.  This is a key factor in the development of chronic inflammation and skin related disorders 7).

Epigenetics

Epigenetics

7.  Environmental Toxins:  Exposure to high levels of infectious microbes, environmental chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, beauty, hygiene and other personal care products, heavy metals and biotoxins e.g. mold. These wear down our body’s glutathione levels, alter the gut microflora and increase inflammatory activity in the body (7, 8, 9).

8.  High Stress High mental and emotional stress increases stress hormone production. This changes our posture and the way we breathe, which in turn induces inflammatory activity within the body. Poor posture, breathing and musculoskeletal aches and pain that result can simulate chronic mental and emotional stressors 10)

9.  Lack of Sleep Poor quality sleep promotes immune dysfunction and increased inflammation throughout the body. Good sleeping habits and optimal melatonin secretion reduce inflammation and promote improved tissue healing 11).

10.  EMF Exposure  Electromagnetic frequency exposure has been shown to alter the function of the immune system. Also, its been shown to increase one’s susceptability to developing an auto-immune condition 12)

what is psoriasis

What is psoriasis

We’re going to answer what is psoriasis exactly here. Making this simple we’ll start by saying psoriasis is a skin condition. Kim Kardashian along with lots of other celebrities have raised awareness of it. So why’s it quite common in celebrities when not so many people seem to get it? If you want to know more about the different types you can keep reading here.

Psoriasis is a T cell mediated inflammatory skin disease. Abnormal cellular activity in the top five layers of the skin leads to psoriasis. These layers are the epidermis. Activity starts in the deepest layer of the epidermis.  In severe cases, psoriasis can result in an insufficient nutritional status which may even be promoted by nutrient-drug interactions. 1 of 4 controlled psoriasis studies showed a benefit of omega-3 fatty acids compared to placebo. Some psoriasis patients are gluten-sensitive and may benefit from a gluten free diet.

what is psoriasis

what is psoriasis

Keratinocytes are made in this deepest level. Keratinocytes are immature skin cells. They produce keratin, a tough protein that helps form hair, nails and skin. In normal cell growth, keratinocytes grow and move from the bottom layer to the skin’s surface and shed unnoticed. This process takes about a month.
In people with psoriasis, the keratinocytes multiply very rapidly. They travel from the basal layer to the surface in about 4 days. As the skin cannot shed these cells quickly enough, they build up. This leads to thick, dry patches or plaques. Silvery, flaky areas of dead skin build up on the surface of plaques. The skin layer underneath (dermis), which contains the nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels, becomes red and swollen.

psoriasis triggers

psoriasis triggers

If you have a food intolerance or allergies that are undiagnosed, an inflammatory response will occur. Every time you ingest this food it is a trigger.

Genes or genetics play a major role in the development of psoriasis. Researchers have discovered a variation in a group of genes. These are known as LCE and can protect against the condition. One of these genes codes for proteins. These proteins help maintain the skin’s barrier.

Psoriasis and Nutrition

The Need For Anti-inflammatory Personalised Nutrition: if you want to heal your skin you’ve got to heal your gut. If you don’t want the same skin issue to recur repeatedly and affect your life when you least expect it to, you’ve got to have a functional treatment plan in place from day ONE.
The chances that this genetic potential will eventually manifest as the disease is what we measure using nutrigenomics. Nutrigenomics may account for one of your FOUR PHASES. Disease or not depends on a complex interplay between the human genome and two key factors. These two are environmental and behavioral factors. If you think it all sounds too hard and complicated while you’re working all hours of the day – consider this. We want results. You want results. So we’ve got to KISS. (Keep It Seriously Simply!)

Personalised nutrition is guided by your medical history. We see skin conditions that haven’t been identified. So it’s important to have a clear knowledge of what is psoriasis. Unknown conditions where the person doesn’t know what is psoriasis are left untreated or unmanaged at We see it at consultations for naturopathy in Knightbridge or at our other consulting rooms. We use the naturopathic functional approach always to find the root cause. In The Four Phases works especially well for recurring skin conditions like psoriasis. We can answer your specific personal enquiries beforehand here.
One consideration is your history of medical drug use. The clinical manifestations of drug-associated or drug provoked psoriasis can range. The spectrum is from plaque-type psoriasis to severe erythroderma. Certain medications, such as lithium, prescribed for bipolar disorder, can trigger psoriasis. Also, high blood pressure medications such as beta blockers, antimalarial drugs and iodides can be triggers.

Psoriasis Triggers

What triggers psoriasis? Psoriasis typically starts or worsens because of a trigger. Other than undiagnosed or misdiagnosed food intolerances or allergies there are other triggers like drugs. Drug associated or drug provoked psoriasis can range from plaque-type psoriasis to severe erythroderma. Certain medications such as lithium, prescribed for bipolar disorder, can trigger psoriasis. Also, high blood pressure medications such as beta blockers, antimalarial drugs and iodides can be triggers. Other triggers of scalp psoriasis include infections, such as strep throat or skin infections. Injury to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, bug bite, or a severe sunburn. Stress, cold weather, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption.

Psoriasis and nutrition

Psoriasis and nutrition

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, scalp psoriasis often results in hair thinning and loss.

Will my child develop psoriasis?

If one parent has psoriasis, a child has about a 10% chance of having psoriasis. If both parents have psoriasis, a child has approximately a 50% chance of developing the disease. Psoriasis of the scalp affects about 50% of patients. In some cases, the psoriasis may cover the scalp with thick plaques. These plaques extend down from the hairline to the forehead. Psoriasis patches rarely affect the face in adulthood. In children, psoriasis is most likely to start in the scalp. It then spreads to other parts of the body.

How To Treat Psoriasis

Psoriasis Facts

Here’s how to treat psoriasis by treating its cause. Natural remedies can work if we start at the root of the problem, there’s no point chugging celery juice if you’ve got a leaky gut. Psoriasis affects 2% – 3% of the UK. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that causes thickening, redness, scaling.

Psoriasis Triggers

The causes of psoriasis remain unknown but it can run in families. It can be precipitated by illnesses. Psoriasis, therefore, is believed to be linked to problems with the immune system. Stress or even some medications may trigger psoriasis. When you have psoriasis, your body starts producing too many skin cells. Although there is no cure, per se, the condition can be well controlled using the Susannah Makram Clinics functional care approach.

Celebrities With Psoriasis

Cara Delevingne – model, Hollywood actress – revealed her psoriasis trigger – stress. Catwalk modelling made her ‘hate herself and her body’. Kim Kardashian suffers with psoriasis and dedicated time on Keeping up With The Kardashians to showcase her psoriasis symptoms and shame.

Psoriasis can affect the whole of the skin including the scalp and nails. Occasionally it can be associated with arthritis – characterised by remission and ‘flare ups’.

Many diseases that seem totally unrelated to the gut, such as eczema or psoriasis or arthritis, are actually caused by gut problems. 

So if you have to get you gut working properly, how do you get good gut health? Here’s how to treat psoriasis…

Gut Health and Psoriasis

1) EAT 2) DRINK – what food should I cut out for good gut health? gluten, dairy, yeast, corn, soy and eggs yeast, corn, soy and eggs? – e.g. irritants associated with food intolerance or (common) inflammatory triggers.

ASK the questions. Ask why before you do decide to go gluten free and dairy free. Understand why you are advised to avoid yeast, corn, soy and eggs. If asked to go sugar free, is this sugar or specifically high fructose corn syrup?
Safe, Clinical, Practical, Effective management of food intolerance or suspected allergies is a process. PHASE 1 and PHASE 2 use elimination of the suspected food. If indicated this will confirm your diagnosis so your Naturopathic Portfolio treatment works for you.

How To Treat Psoriasis

3) TAKE 4) MAKE – functional laboratory testing – gut health analysis. e.g. testing for SIBO To treat the right, if any, infections or overgrowth of bugs like parasites, small bowel bacteria, or yeasts. This is part of PHASE 1-2. You might not need any special tests at all.

psoriasis and nutrition

how to treat psoriasis 

E.g. Taking digestive enzymes with food or taking the right probiotics as recommended for you. Susannah takes care to consider the right dosage when treating psoriasis. How to treat psoriasis properly factors dosage into your 4 PHASE Portfolio due to timing and bioavailability. These are tailored to have the best possible effect on your overall health. Your Naturopathic Portfolio is an unique as your DNA. Our body systems are complex. Nutrition is an exact science. Your Portfolio is simple. EAT DRINK TAKE MAKE for you only. Taking extra omega 3 fat supplements may help cool inflammation in the gut.
Gut-healing nutrients such as glutamine and zinc may work for you but it depends on what exactly needs healing, requires attention.

There is no trial and error in the functional medicine method. You have to treat the cause to get the result. 

What does Psoriasis look like?

There are several clinical patterns of psoriasis:
Chronic Plaque– The commonest variant, it tends to occur on the extensor aspects of the elbows and knees and in the scalp. Skin changes include pink or red inflamed, thickened plaques with copious white scale (see image).
Sebopsoriasis – similar to scalp psoriasis but can occur on the face, chest, armpits and groin
Flexural – raw, red areas in the groin, armpits or under the breasts
Guttate – multiple small spots of psoriasis that erupt on the trunk following a sore throat or illness (see image).
Erythrodermic – extensive disease covering more than 90% of the body surface area.
Palmoplantar pustular – pus-filled inflamed spots and the palms and soles
Pustular – the most severe form of psoriasis, skin lesions are red, tender and filled with pus spots

Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis Treatment

 

Psoriasis Treatment

Conventional treatment of psoriasis can be divided into three basic strategies depending on severity, namely creams, phototherapy (ultraviolet/sunlight) or systemic medication (oral or injectable drugs). Creams include emollients, soap substitutes, vitamin D, tar, steroids. Phototherapy involves precise doses of ultraviolet light being delivered by a medical UV-machine. Systemic medications include tablets such as acitretin, methotrexate and ciclosporin or injectables such as etanercept, adalimumab or ustekinemab. These powerful drugs are reserved for severe or life-limiting psoriasis.

Chances are, we’ve come across some one who is suffering from psoriasis. They’re likely being treated using methods of conventional medicine. This means their psoriasis is being treated symptomatically. Have we ever wondered why they’re still suffering from psoriasis? By pioneering and pushing the boundaries of functional healthcare in UK at Susannah Makram Clinics we’re dedicated to achieving excellence in healthcare by managing chronic conditions, treating he cause of dysfunction. We’re documenting successful treatment outcomes daily.

When we want to heal our skin we need to heal our gut. When we have knowledge we have power. When we take ownership of our health, we see and feel changes in every aspect of our lives. In the four phases. 

SUBSCRIBE to Susannah Makram TV for our unique video mini series on naturopathic skincare In The Four Phases.

Food Intolerance Test UK

Food Intolerance Test

Food sensitivity or food intolerance: where, when, how? Common food intolerances to gluten; wheat intolerance; dairy; yeast; alcohol; histamine… Food sensitivity or food intolerance are hard to identify ourselves. HERE’S WHY…

FOOD INTOLERANCE reactions to food occur UP TO 72 HOURS AFTER EATING.

Clients for functional nutrition in London may have lots of test results to hand. Every one of them has produced VARYING DATA. How unhelpful is that? We understand your frustration at Susannah Makram Clinics.

 

Allergy or Intolerance

Only about 2% of the adult population are affected. A FOOD ALLERGY is a SWIFT RESPONSE by the body’s immune system to a specific food. Reactions to food allergy are immediate by raised levels (2 hours or less)….

food intolerance symptoms

food intolerance symptoms

Keep reading for the symptoms of food intolerance. So, they’re difficult to self diagnose. Also, food intolerance test results aren’t helpful if we don’t:

(i)    Know where the triggers can be found in our day to day diet
(ii)   How long we need to avoid the foods
(iii)  Know why we are suddenly reacting to food we ate without any problems whole our entire lives. Does this mean we have to              avoid all these food completely now forever?

That’s not all…

A recent study has shown that those who eliminated trigger foods based on food-specific IgG test results had reductions in weight, BMI body mass index, waist and hip circumference and improvements in all indicators of quality of life that were measured. Quality of life indicators include physical and emotional wellbeing, mental health, social life, pain levels and vitality.

Food Intolerance Symptoms

Food intolerance symptoms — bloating; eczema; sinus problems, lead us to ask: is the food we’re eating making us ill?      [tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#foodintolerance”]Do you think that the foods you are eating are making you ill?[/tweetthis]
Genuine food allergy is relatively rare. Food intolerance symptoms like migraine, tiredness, bloating affect up to 45% of us. Why? 

Many Symptoms can be linked to food intolerance and they include…

Abdominal pain | Aches and pain | Acne | Bloating | Constipation | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | Diarrhoea | Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema | Fatigue | Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Itching | Fluid Retention | Headache | Hyperactivity | Migraine | Nausea | Rashes | Rhinitis | Sinusitis | Stomach Cramps | Tension | Tiredness | Urticaria or Hives | Weight Loss/ Weight Gain

An Independent Customer Survey conducted by Allergy UK (2007), carried out on 5,286 people – the results were then divided into patient groups and the findings are summarised here:

Main Medical Condition Reported                  % of People Who Reported Moderate to High Benefit

Gastro-Intestinal  e.g. IBS, Bloating etc                                          80%
Respiratory  e.g. Asthma, Breathing Difficulties, Rhinitis           72%
Neurological  e.g. Migraine, Headaches                                        78%
Dermatological  e.g. Eczema, Acne, Psoriasis                                 76%
Musculo-Skeletal  e.g. Arthritis, Rheumatism                                64%
Psychological  e.g. Depression, ADHD, Panic Attacks                  81%
Others  e.g. Lethargy, General Feeling of Malaise                          79%

 

Food Intolerance Symptoms

Food Intolerance Symptoms

There are no international standards available for tests that measure food-specific IgG antibodies. The only way that a particular food specific IgG test can be shown to be valid is by carrying out clinical trials.

Benefits of Food Intolerance Testing at Susannah Makram Clinics:

| Hospital standard laboratory tests

| Utilising laboratories with over 30 years’ experience in the field of diagnostic testing

| Four tests available at Susannah Makram Clinics

| Fast turnaround of results

| Comprehensive results reported as individual food tested by name labelled as having: – Reaction, Borderline, No Reaction and  applied to be Safe, Clinical, Practical, Effective for you and your needs inside your Naturopathic Portfolio
If you’re overwhelmed by the idea of making drastic changes you’re not alone. Many tests produce false positives. Take the right test but not without seeking advice to unlock your potential – your Body Youth Code.

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