Erin Dalton Naturopath

Articles

To Inspire and educate you on your journey to optimal health

Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

Copper Overload: How Copper toxicity can contribute to ADHD and Autism traits, mental health symptoms and Perimenopause

Copper is an essential trace mineral that plays crucial roles in various bodily functions, including neurotransmitter production, iron metabolism, immune function, bone health, energy metabolism and growth.

However, excessive copper levels in the body can lead to copper overload toxicity, a condition that can have serious health consequences. Copper in excess acts like a heavy metal and alters the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, which can contribute to poor mental health and traits of ADHD and Autism.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

Brain Changes in Perimenopause: How hormones influence brain function causing anxiety, brain fog, insomnia and low mood

The impact of your changing hormones on neurotransmitters during perimenopause and menopause can a big influence on mood and brain function. Symptoms such as brain fog, low mood, anxiety and insomnia can occur as a result.

If you're experiencing brain changes in perimenopause, remember that there is support available. A naturopath can help you understand your symptoms and develop a personalised treatment plan to get back to feeling like yourself again.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis: A Window into Your Health

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a diagnostic test that analyses a sample of your hair to assess your body's mineral and toxic metal levels. Unlike blood tests, which provide a snapshot of your current mineral status, HTMA offers a longer-term perspective as hair can store minerals and toxins over time.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

ADHD in Women: Unmasking the Challenges

ADHD in women is often underdiagnosed due to the subtle presentation of symptoms. The same ADHD subtypes of inattentive, hyperactive and combined still occur but can look different. Women with ADHD can exhibit predominantly inattentive symptoms such as difficulty focusing, organising, and following through on tasks. Alternatively, women can be hyperactive, but it is more commonly a hyperactivity of the mind, not the body. This can manifest in women who are constantly on the go and juggling many things to stay stimulated. Impulsivity may present as interrupting or saying things without thinking, seeming to have no filter at times.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

Food for thought: How nutrient deficiencies can amplify ADHD traits.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodivergent condition affecting millions of children and adults worldwide. Recent research has suggested a link between diet and traits such as inattention and hyperactivity: nutrient deficiencies can intensify ADHD characteristics. Of course, diet isn’t the complete solution, but ensuring a balanced diet can be a powerful tool alongside other ADHD supports.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

Omega-3: The Unsung Hero of Your Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that our bodies can't produce on their own, making them crucial to include in our diet. These healthy fats play a vital role in numerous bodily functions, from brain health to heart function.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

Nurturing Your Pregnancy Journey: The Benefits of Naturopathic Care

Pregnancy is a beautiful time of transformation, but the physical and mental changes a woman’s body undergoes to grow a baby can cause some challenges. Naturopathic care can be a valuable addition to your pregnancy wellness plan, offering a holistic approach to support both you and your growing baby. This article explores some key benefits of naturopathic care in pregnancy.

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Building a Healthy Brain from the Start: The Power of Preconception Care

The brain's development begins very early in pregnancy, even before a woman misses her first period. During this critical window, the neural tube, the precursor to the brain and spinal cord, forms and closes. This early stage is highly susceptible to factors that can influence a baby's neurodevelopment. By taking a proactive approach to preconception care, you can create the ideal conditions for your baby's brain development right from the very beginning. Remember, a healthy pregnancy starts well before conception, and the choices you make today can have a lasting impact on your child's future.

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Protecting Your Family from Heavy Metal Toxicity

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of heavy metals due to their developing organs and systems. Those with an MTHFR mutation are even more susceptible to heavy metal toxicity, as defects in your methylation cycle can reduce the body’s ability to remove heavy metals. Exposure to heavy metals has been linked to cognitive impairment, behavioural problems, learning disabilities, and other health issues.

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Is ADHD the correct diagnosis: Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and lookalike conditions

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a neurodivergent condition which is characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. But sometimes these same symptoms can point to something else entirely. There are several conditions that can mimic ADHD, and really need to be ruled out before confirming an ADHD diagnosis. Let's look deeper at ADHD and some conditions that present similarly.

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My personal journey with Lipoedema

My lipoedema story starts over 20 years before I ever even heard of lipoedema. As a not-quite teenager starting to go through puberty, it was soon very apparent that my body was different from other girls my age. My legs were a different shape, thicker, and a different texture to others.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

Understanding Lipoedema

Lipoedema (LIE-poh-dee-muh) is a chronic inflammatory condition of excess adipose tissue (fat) affecting primarily women. It goes beyond simply having trouble losing weight in certain areas, and is a complex interplay between fat tissue, connective tissue, and the lymphatic system, leading to a painful and often frustrating imbalance of fat distribution.

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Menopause and your immune system: the potential link to autoimmune disease.

Menopause is the natural transition marking the end of a woman's reproductive years, but it brings with it a cascade of hormonal changes. While hot flashes and night sweats often steal the spotlight, a lesser known but significant consequence of menopause is its impact on the immune system. As estrogen and progesterone levels drop, the body's defence system undergoes a transformation which can potentially increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

Is Heavy Metal Toxicity Affecting Your Child's Wellbeing?

Heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium are environmental toxins that can accumulate in the body over time. Children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are still developing, and their nervous systems are more susceptible to damage from these toxins. Signs and symptoms of heavy metal toxicity in children include hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression, anxiety, depression, developmental delays, speech delays, fussy or restrictive eating, poor sleep, digestives issues and weakened immune system.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

The Gut Connection: How Dysbiosis, Leaky Gut, and Food Intolerances are Linked

Our gut, also known as the gastrointestinal tract, is a complex ecosystem packed with trillions of microorganisms, collectively called the gut microbiome. These microbes play a crucial role in digestion, immune function, and even mood regulation. An imbalance in this delicate ecosystem, known as dysbiosis, can have far-reaching consequences and can potentially lead to intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and food intolerances.

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Erin Dalton Erin Dalton

Unravelling the Genetic Link to Autism and ADHD: The Role of MTHFR Mutation and Other SNPs in Neurodivergent presentations.

Genetic SNP’s have been linked to neurodivergent presentations including ASD and ADHD. There are 1000’s of genetic SNPs and they can vary between individuals. Identifying which SNP’s are involved can allow for targeted support to address alterations in neurotransmitters in neurodevelopmental disorders and provide neuroaffirming support.

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Cultivating adventurous eaters:

Fussy eating is a common challenge faced by almost all parents. It can be frustrating to watch your child reject nutritious foods, and cause concerns about their growth and development.

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Nourishing Young Minds:

Nutrition can have a profound impact on our emotional and cognitive state. Just as a healthy diet sustains our physical body, the right nutrients play a fundamental role in nurturing our minds and fostering mental resilience.

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