16 10, 2017

Is Eating Yogurt as Good as Taking Probiotics?

2017-10-16T10:19:25+00:00By Nick Dale|Foods, Nutrition, Uncategorized, Vitamins|

Many people ask me if they still need to take Probiotics when they are eating yogurt on a daily basis

Old-fashioned, raw and unpasteurized yogurt was a wonderful source of good bacteria, but unfortunately today it’s very difficult to find yogurt in this form.

Pasteurization kills off or sterilizes much of the good bacteria that gives yogurt it’s good reputation.

WHY DO WE NEED GOOD BACTERIA?

Cultured and fermented foods, such as yogurt, have been consumed by many cultures for years as a source of bacteria, which act as a support to their digestive health and immune function. Today, however, for many it is more practical to take a good quality probiotic supplement, in order to populate the digestive system with good bacteria.

Probiotics, also known as gut flora or healthy bacteria, is a variety of friendly bacteria that benefits the digestive system. The benefits range from helping to normalize digestive function to assisting the immune system, allergies and skin problems.

Probiotics are used to Help Treat & Prevent a Range of Health Conditions:

Probiotics are regularly used by Naturopaths to help treat and prevent the following health problems:

Thrush and candida
Leaky gut (and associated conditions, eg migraines, acne, lymphatic congestion, and more)
Eczema and acne
Colic and acid reflux
Fatigue
Autism
ADHD
Food allergies, such as dairy and gluten
Post-antibiotic diarrhea
Hay fever
Sinusitis
Weight loss
Vaginal infections
Diarrhea, constipation and irregular bowel motions
Crohn’s disease
Irritable bowel syndrome and malabsorption
Ulcerative colitis

Choosing the Right Probiotics for the Right Condition

The quality and potency of probiotics available in healthfood stores and our food varies enormously. For example, some of my clients ask if the probiotics in supermarket yogurt is sufficient, but you would probably need a bucket of the yogurt to equal half a teaspoon of a good quality probiotic supplement. Likewise, products on the shelves of healthfood stores also have widely ranging potencies.

In a healthy bowel there can be 3-4 pounds of healthy bacteria, so to make an impact, you need a high potency product, which I usually recommend is taken at the highest dosage on the bottle for adults.

When looking for a supplement, I recommend you look out for supplements that list specific strands of bacteria on their label. I recommend a product with a variety of different probiotics. Also, the list below gives more detailed information about the health benefits of particular types.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus DDS1
Helps with immune support and digestive function, as well as to assist with lactose intolerance
Bifidis Regularis
Gut health and digestion
Bifidobacterium Infantis 35624
IBS
Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12
Immune system support and gut health
Lactobacillus Casei Shirota
Immune system support and gut health
Lactobacillus Immunitas
Immune system support, duration of colds and flu in older people
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GR11
Helps vaginal infections
Lactobacillus Reuteri 55730
Helps with diarrhea associated by antibiotic usage
Saccharomyces Boulardii Yeast
Helps with diarrhea associated by antibiotic usage

What Puts Healthy Bacteria in the Gut at Threat?

There are several key things which kill and undermine healthy bacteria in the gut, as well as things which fuel bad bacteria. The main things to be aware of are:

Antibiotics
Drugs
Some pharmaceutical medicines
Alcohol
Sugar
Stress

For more information about how to correct and rebalance your gut flora please contact me.

5 10, 2017

Natural Therapy Options for Fibromyalgia

2025-11-19T15:14:52+00:00By Nick Dale|Ailments, Nutrition, Vitamins|

Exploring Natural Therapy Options for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex and often misunderstood condition

While conventional approaches may focus on symptom management, natural therapies aim to explore and support the underlying patterns that may be contributing to pain, fatigue, and emotional strain.

In my practice, I work with clients to gently support the body’s resilience—looking at areas such as adrenal health, nutrient status, digestive function, and emotional stress. Every person’s experience is different, and my goal is to help uncover what’s driving the symptoms beneath the surface.

Fibromyalgia is rarely caused by a single issue. In my experience, symptoms often reflect a combination of deeper imbalances—physical, emotional, and metabolic.

Common Contributing Factors in Fibromyalgia

Here are some of the common patterns I explore when supporting clients with fibromyalgia:

Adrenal fatigue – long-term stress may leave the body depleted, affecting energy, sleep, and pain sensitivity
Digestive sluggishness – poor gut function can influence inflammation, nutrient absorption, and immune response
Nutrient depletion – low levels of magnesium, B vitamins, and essential fatty acids may contribute to muscle pain and fatigue
Toxic congestion – when the body’s detox pathways are overwhelmed, symptoms may flare more easily
Hormonal imbalance – shifts in estrogen, cortisol, or thyroid function can affect pain perception and mood
Emotional stress – unresolved emotional strain may amplify physical symptoms and reduce resilience

These patterns don’t always show up in standard tests—but through naturopathic assessment, we can begin to understand what’s happening beneath the surface.

Natural Therapy Options for Fibromyalgia

🧬 Nutritional support
Supporting nutritional balance is often a key step. Nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin D3 (which work best in balance with other cofactors) are frequently explored in fibromyalgia support. Turmeric is also widely used for its natural anti-inflammatory properties and may help ease discomfort.

🍽️ Dietary guidance
Identifying food intolerances and tailoring dietary guidance is central to my approach. Avoiding pro-inflammatory foods—such as refined sugars—is often helpful. While I have a typical dietary framework for fibromyalgia, it’s always adapted based on individual needs and basic testing.

🧘‍♀️ Homeopathics
Homeopathy is designed to support the whole person—physically, emotionally, and constitutionally. Remedies are selected based on your unique presentation, and may help gently rebalance the body’s natural rhythms.

🚶‍♂️ Bowen Therapy
This gentle, hands-on technique may help reduce tension and discomfort in muscles and joints. Many clients find it calming and supportive, especially when pain levels are high.

♨️ Essential Oils
Certain oils—such as lavender and chamomile—may help ease discomfort, while others like frankincense and clary sage are often used for emotional support. These are typically diluted in a carrier oil and used in baths or as body oils.

These approaches are tailored to each individual and offered as part of a wider naturopathic consultation. This content is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Results vary and are based on individual response.

Why Symptoms Fluctuate in Fibromyalgia

One of the most challenging aspects of fibromyalgia is how unpredictable it can be. Symptoms often fluctuate—sometimes without warning—and this can leave people feeling confused, frustrated, or even doubting themselves.

In my experience, these fluctuations often reflect changes in stress levels, sleep quality, diet, hormonal shifts, or environmental triggers. The body’s response to these factors can vary day to day, which is why a flexible, personalised approach is so important.

Rather than chasing symptoms, I focus on supporting the body’s overall resilience—helping it respond more calmly to stress, inflammation, and fatigue. This includes exploring:

Emotional stress and nervous system load
Digestive and detox function
Hormonal and adrenal balance
Nutrient status and dietary patterns

Understanding these patterns can help explain why symptoms come and go—and offer a clearer path forward.

What to Expect from a Consultation

Every consultation is tailored to you—your symptoms, your story, and your constitution. Fibromyalgia affects people in different ways, so my goal is to understand what’s happening beneath the surface and support your body’s natural rhythm.

During your first session, we’ll explore:

Your symptom history and how it’s evolved
Any emotional or physical stressors that may be contributing
Digestive health, sleep patterns, and energy levels
Nutrient status and dietary habits
Constitutional insights through iridology

From there, I’ll create a personalised support plan. This may include herbs, nutritional guidance, homeopathy, and lifestyle recommendations—all designed to gently support your body’s resilience.

My role is to help you feel heard, understood, and supported—while we explore what’s possible together.

Hear from my clients

“This time last year, I was constantly exhausted and struggling with pain. I couldn’t lose weight even when I tried hard. My digestive system wasn’t functioning properly. My brain was foggy and I struggled to concentrate, memory was poor. GP sent me for various tests that always came back negative. I’d had chronic fatigue in the past that never completely went away. I felt like a lost cause. What a difference a year makes . . . and it is all thanks to Nick and naturopathy. He listened and gave me a mixture of vitamins and remedies, personalised for my needs. I now eat a gluten free diet, have more energy and feel more like the old me. Oh and I have lost 2.5 stones. If you are wondering if naturopathy works, I can tell you it does, and Nick has years of experience to help you. Thank you so much Nick.”
– Jan

This is a personal account of one client’s experience. Results vary and this feedback does not constitute medical advice or guarantee outcomes.

Click here for more

This information is for general guidance only and does not replace medical advice. Naturopathic support is tailored to each person’s unique needs and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. Individual results vary.

20 07, 2017

Vitamin D May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk by 75-80%

2017-07-20T20:11:25+00:00By Nick Dale|Ailments, Cancer, Vitamins|

Breast Cancer & Preventative Steps

Breastcancer.org states on its website: “Research suggests that women with low levels of vitamin D have a higher risk of breast cancer. Vitamin D may play a role in controlling normal breast cell growth and may be able to stop breast cancer cells from growing.”

I only wrote about Vitamin D a few weeks ago. But, because breast cancer affects approximately one in eight women, I wanted to write some more.

I recently read an article where breast cancer was referred to as a “Vitamin D deficiency syndrome.”

An open letter to the New York Times from Cedric F. Garland, Dr. P.H., F.A.C.E. (Professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, Participating Member, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, La Jolla, California) stated:

“It is not widely realized that most breast cancer is preventable. While the scientific literature reveals many strategies for prevention of breast cancer, the simplest is elimination of the vitamin D deficiency. This is the main known cause of breast cancer. Raising the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level to 40-60 ng/ml could prevent 75-80% of breast cancer incidence (and deaths, of course).”

I recommend getting your Vitamin D levels checked annually and making sure they are in a good healthy range. Keeping your blood serum levels in a good range is a great way to help protect your health into the future, and is such a simple thing to do. Contact me to find out how to take Vitamin D so that it is in balance with other key nutrients.

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?

Visit grassrootshealth.net/project/breast-cancer-prevention to see research and statistics in an easy-to-read format. Below are a couple of examples:

“Vitamin D increases breast cancer patient survival: Those with breast cancer who have high levels of vitamin D in their blood are two times as likely to survive the disease as women with low levels, according to a report from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researchers in the March issue of Anticancer Research.”
“77% reduction in all non-skin cancer incidence: A 2007 randomized clinical trial at Creighton University led by Joan Lappe, PhD, RN, FAAN, found that a dose of 1100 IU/day of vitamin D along with 1400-1500 mg/day of calcium helped women aged 55 and older raise their average serum vitamin D level to 38 ng/ml (from a baseline of 29 ng/ml) and prevent approximately 4 out of 5, or 80%, of all invasive cancers, including breast cancer.”

Getting statistics like this can make us all feel a bit more comfortable that there are things we can do to help us control our health. You are always welcome to write to me with any questions or for any assistance you may need.

Is Eating Yogurt as Good as Taking Probiotics?

Many people ask me if they still need to take Probiotics when they are eating yogurt on a daily basis

Old-fashioned, raw and unpasteurized yogurt was a wonderful source of good bacteria, but unfortunately today it’s very difficult to find yogurt in this form.

Natural Therapy Options for Fibromyalgia

Exploring Natural Therapy Options for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex and often misunderstood condition

Common Contributing Factors in Fibromyalgia

Natural Therapy Options for Fibromyalgia

Why Symptoms Fluctuate in Fibromyalgia

What to Expect from a Consultation

During your first session, we’ll explore:

Hear from my clients

Vitamin D May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk by 75-80%

Breast Cancer & Preventative Steps

Breastcancer.org states on its website: “Research suggests that women with low levels of vitamin D have a higher risk of breast cancer. Vitamin D may play a role in controlling normal breast cell growth and may be able to stop breast cancer cells from growing.”

Conditions I commonly support

© 2025 Nick Dale, Naturopath. All rights reserved.