Patrick's advice

Food guru Patrick Holford answered all your questions about nutrition in a webchat

Patrick Holford: Good morning! If you want to solve a health problem and find out how to feel fantastic I am here to help you! So keep sending your questions....

Honor: Where can you get an allergy test from?

Patrick Holford: That's easy. Go to www.yorktest.com. These tests are done using a home-test kit and are excellent.

Linda M: Can you suggest a diet that will help relieve the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Patrick Holford: This is not an inflammatory disease, so anti-inflammatory painkillers rarely help. Try Magnesium Malate 300mg a day and eat magensium rich foods such as pumkin seeds. My book Say No to Arthritis has a chapter on it if you want more info.

Trina: Can diet make any difference to fatigue caused by MS?

Patrick Holford: Absolutely. MS sufferers often have high 'homocysteine' levels (get this checked), solved by supplementing more folic acid, B12 and B6. Try Higher Nature's H Factor supplement. Also, up your intake of essential fats - both Omega 3 from fish and Omega 6 from seeds.

Julie: Can you suggest what to eat to prevent/treat osteoporosis?

Patrick Holford: It's not just about calcium. There are many minerals needed to make healthy bones - zinc, magnesium, silica to name a few. You also need vitamin D. But one of the main reasons for osteoporosis is hormonal imbalances. If you are menopausal look into 'natural progesterone'.

Patrick Holford: The best website on this is by Dr John Lee. Look it up on Google.

Rach: Hi, I'm 20 and having a lot of problems at the moment. I feel sick when I eat, constantly tired and no energy... any advice?

Patrick Holford: Either see one of my nutritionists - go to www.patrickholford.com and select 'consultation', or have an on-line consultation with me (costs £24). I also have a book Beat Stress and Fatigue. As you've seen cyronic tiredness is easily solved in days not months.

Pinky: Could you give me any information on a diet for someone suffering with LUPUS?

Patrick Holford: This is an auto-immune disease. You definitely should see one of my nutritionists and get allergy tested. The last person I treated had complete relief!

Gill: what foods and supplements can I use to increase my sex drive and are they safe to continue during pregnancy?

Patrick Holford: General 'optimum nutrition' increases sex drive. Specifically getting enough zinc (in seeds but also supplement 10mg a day) and essential fats (again in seeds but worth supplementing) ups sex drive and is brilliant for pregnancy. Read 'Optimum Nutrition Before During and After Pregnancy'.

Audrey: Hi, my husband has suffered with mood swings for many years and won't go to see anyone - can you recommend some supplements?

Patrick Holford: My all-time favourite, which I gave to Sarah, is Mood Food Formula (2 twice a day) and Omega 3 Fish Oil. The best value is the 'mood pack' on www.healthproductsforlife.com. There's a chapter on Beating the Blues in my book 'Optimum nutrition for the Mind'.

Meggy: Hi, I follow a vegan diet, how do I ensure that I get sufficient Omega oils?

Patrick Holford: The difficulty is Omega 3. They are in flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds, so have a spoonful (ideally ground) a day. But the conversion to the really powerful EPA/DHA Omega 3s found in fish is poor.

Patrick Holford: I'm a 'smoked salmon vegan' because I don't think you can get enough of the really powerful Omega 3s from seeds alone.

Alex: Hi..I think my dad suffers from depression. Can what you said on the show really help?

Patrick Holford: Absolutely. Just do what I said for Audrey. The book is really helpful. Exercise and sunlight also improve mood. So get him out for walks.

Rahma: Good morning. I suffer from really bad paranoia. It eats up my life - is there anything that can help?

Patrick Holford: I am director of the Brain Bio Centre in London, where we work with people such as yourself. Check it out on www.brainbiocentre.com. Our success rate is very high.

Tina: Hi, at Easter I changed my eating habits. I cut out coffee, chocolate, pasta, bread and dairy. I now eat lots of fresh fruit and veg, drink lemon juice with water and fresh fruit juices. I've lost weight and feel better for it except for one thing. I am constantly constipated. Please help.

Patrick Holford: Have soaked oats or porridge in the morning with a big spoonful of ground flax seeds. Drink lots of water. Take up yoga or something that gets you doing abdominal breathing. The exercise 'udiyama' is brilliant for constipation.

David P: Dear Patrick, I have a heart arhythmia and take magnesium and a number of other supplements. I've heard that Vit K2 is good at preventing clacification of the arteries. Is this true and do you know where I can source it in the UK?

Patrick Holford: It's not where I'd focus. CoEnzyme Q10 (90mg a day) helps improve heart muscle function. Make sure your homocysteine level has been checked and is low. Yorktest also do a homtest kit. See www.thehfactor.com.

Sharon: Hi, I was watching LK today and it was like looking in the mirror.  Everything Sarah said related to how I feel and have done for years.  I also feel that this has affected my family life as I am always tired, have headaches and do not seem to have any get up and go.

Patrick Holford: This approach is so powerful. GMTV put up some great links for each topic. My book 'The New Optimum Nutrition Bible' tells the whole story and it's so doable.

Paula: I constantly crave sweet things all day long. Please help.

Patrick Holford: I put Elaine and Sarah on my Holford Low GL Diet (see www.holforddiet.com) and gave them a supplement of chromium 200mcg x 2 with breakfast. If you do the diet and take chromium your cravings will go.

Clare: Hi Patrick. I have had an undiagnosed hip problem since the birth of my son 4 years ago which flares up when I am stressed. Have you any idea what foods can be the cause of this?

Patrick Holford: It sounds like inflammation. Meat and dairy encourage it, while fish and flax seeds are anti-inflammatory. You may have a food allergy and it's worth getting tested (see www.yorktest.com).

Laura: Please could you tell me the best place to get a food intolerance test and roughly how much it will cost? Thanks.

Patrick Holford: www.yorktest.com. A full 113 food allergy test is about £200, but what they do (from a hometest kit which costs £20) is test if you have any allergic reaction. If not, you've wasted £20. If so, they'll have your blood, deduct the £20 and recommend you have the full allergy test. It's worth it.

Louise: Hi, I have seen your article today about tiredness and depression. I think I have the same symptoms. I am still breastfeeding - are the supplements suitable for me to take?

Patrick Holford: Yes. Everything I've recommended is suitable for both you and your baby. Supplementing fish oils makes your child smarter.

Artyone: I have a daughter who over the last year has had 3 kidney infections, bladder infections and inflamed gall bladder. She was a veggie for 7 years and started eating meat 18 months ago. She has gained 1 stone in weight. Can you help?

Patrick Holford: She needs to see one of my nutritionists. Go to www.patrickholford.com, select 'consultations'. I'll tell you who to see locally. It's a free service.

Donna: Hi, I've not long had a baby, she's almost 8 wks old, and I'd like to know what diet you would recommend to help me lose the baby fat!

Patrick Holford: Go on my Holford Low GL Diet. It's available at www.holforddiet.com. It works brilliantly. Also, get your muscles back in shape.

Patrick Holford: There's a brilliant exercise system- Psychocalisthenics - takes 15 mins. By the way, this weekend I'm teaching my 100% Health Weekend Workshop to transform people's health. You learn this in the process. See www.patrickholford.com

Ross: Hi Patrick, I'm 17 years old and was diagnosed with crohn`s disease last year. I was on a diet of only elemental 028 liquid for 9 weeks, howerver I have gradually got back to eating most foods. Are there any foods that you would recommend that I eat or avoid to help try and control my condition?

Patrick Holford: Everynoe with Crohn's has allergies. Get yourself tested. Most react to either wheat, milk or yeast, not oats. I suggest you read ' Imrpvoe Your Digestion' - there's a chapter on Crohns, available at www.patrickholford.com.

Judy: Hello Patrick, How do I find a nutritionist in my area please, who can offer the same advice as you?

Patrick Holford: Either go to my website and click on 'consultations' or have me as your nutritionist by comnig to this weekend's 100% Health workshop.

Nicki: Hi my name is Nicki, can you help me please? I suffer from low energy levels and lightheadedness, I follow the Weight Watchers programme, but do drink about 4 cups of tea a day, is there anything I can do to make me feel better?

Patrick Holford: You'd be much better off on what's called a Low GL diet. This involves 'grazing rather than gorging' on the foods that keep your blood sugar level even. Read my Holford Low GL Diet.

Dee: Hi, Is there anything I can include/exclude from my diet to help with aching joints? I am only 34 but when I get up in the morning, feel like I am 60 because my back aches and my ankle joints are stiff and crack. Thanks.

Patrick Holford: You almost certainly have allergies. Everyone is different. Also read ' Say no to Arthritis' - available on my website.

Paul: I have become really confused by the many conflicting diets that are around. Where can I get advice as to what constitutes a healthy diet?

Patrick Holford: The place to start is my book 'The New Optimum Nutrition Bible'. It's based on our 25 years research at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and will clarify all your confusion.

Rob: Drinking guiness puts me on a high the next day, this presumably indicates low iron, should i get a blood test done by my doctor before getting a good multivitamin?

Patrick Holford: Guiness is higher in B vitamins too. If you're not pale and chronically tired I'd just take a multi. I take Higher Nature's Optimum Nutrition Pack for Mind and Body (www.healthrpoductsforlife.com).

Jo: Would like to know if the GI diet is ok for someone who is underweight?

Patrick Holford: I'm recommending a GL diet which is better. If you are underweight the same principles apply, but not the quantities. Underweight often means digestion problems. Try taking a digestive enzyme with each meal.

Sparkle: Hi, I've suffered from panic attacks for the last 3 years and I've tried anti-depressants but the panic attacks came back. Im now seeing a psychologist to talk through the anxiety but was wondering if there any changes to my diet that may help? I'm 26.

Patrick Holford: The best option would be to come to our Brain Bio Centre (www.brainbiocentre.com). If you can't do that read 'Optimum Nutrition for the Mind'. There's a lot in there that might help you.

Jennie: I have just watched your piece on fighting depression and the importance of fish oils, but I don't like fish, is there anything else I can take?

Patrick Holford: Can you swallow a fish oil capsule? Best value is Omega 3 Fish Oil at www.healthproductsforlife.com. Flax and pumpkin seeds contain Omega 3 but not enough for a mood boost.

EileenAli: I would like to start trying for a baby in the new year and am confused what diets are right for me - eg GI, Low Carb etc.

Patrick Holford: My Holford Low GL Diet is perfect for everybody, pregnant or otherwise. Also read ' Optimum Nutrition Before, During, After Pregnancy'.

Hazel: Hi Patrick I'd really like some advice on good (and tasty) snacks to help keep my blood sugar levels even - I don't like much fruit (although i do like fruit smoothies) and a handful of nuts and seeds doesn't really appeal. At the moment I reach for a packet of crisps.

Patrick Holford: Get some Clearspring Roasted Pumpkin seeds. Surpisingly delicious. And try Nairn's Oat Cakes and oat biscuits. The ginger ones are my favourite. Strawberries are great for you.

Rebekah: Please can you help with nutrition during the early stages of pregnancy?

Patrick Holford: You must either eat oily fish twice a week or/and supplement fish oils. Again, my book ' Optimum Nutrition Before, During and After Pregnancy' tells you everything.

Jo: Hello Patrick, have you any ideas what could help my mother who is experiencing very severe menopausal hot flushes?  She has cut out stimulants like tea and coffee etc and is taking black cohosh with no effect.

Patrick Holford: The most effective is 'natural progesterone' - look at the Natural Progesterone Society. Eat some soya everyday. Phytoestrogens help. Abdominal breathing helps big time. You'll learn this in a yoga class.

Fiona: Hello.  Can you recommend any foods to combat the symptoms of polycystic ovary?

Patrick Holford: This is mainly caused by 'insulin resistance', which is caused by blood sugar fluctuations, which is solved by follwing my 'Holford Low GL Diet' - see www.holforddiet.com.

Jackie: I am a 53-year-old woman, just about starting the change of life.  I am not fat anywhere but my stomach, I have even been asked if I am pregnant by aquaintances! I have tried the slimming world plan but can't seem to loose my tummy! Should I seek help from my GP?

Patrick Holford: You've probably got bloating. This means you are either allergic or not digesting properly. See www.patrickholford.com/ibs. Also, the exercise system I teach in my 100% Workshop this weekend is brilliant for flat tummies! See the website. There's 8 places left.

Antie: I suffer with heavy periods. Are there any particular foods or vitamins that could help combat this problem? Thanks.

Patrick Holford: Generally, this relieves quickly if you follow the advice for PMS on www.patrickholford.com/pms. If not, read ' Balancing Hormones Naturally'.

Jodie: I've been diagnosed with depression and prescribed citalopram, is it still okay to take other supplements such as amino acids?

Patrick Holford: Better not to take too much 5-HTP in Mood Food Formula. Eg don't take more than 1 of these. At the brain Bio Centre we'd help you get to the point where you might not need anti-depressants.

Heather: Hello, I'm Heather and I'm 13 years old. I feel really sad all the time and I'm seeing a counsellor at school but I'm always crying and it's really horrible - please help me!

Patrick Holford: Firstly, do what you can from www.patrickholford.com/depressionandmood. Secondly, do take a fish oil capsule and chromium 200mcg x 2 am. Thirdly, have you thought of calling Childline? If your folks can afford it come to my Brain Bio Centre. There is a solution. We've just got to find it.

Kate: How can i make an appointment to see you and is it expensive?

Patrick Holford: I don't see people one-to-one but I do advise you via my 100% Health Weekend Workshop - and stay with you for 3 months afterwards. The next one is this weekend. I do have a team of great nutritionists. All the details are on www.patrickholford.com.

Patrick Holford: Great questions! If you have any more go to the question/answer section of www.patrickholford.com.Remember the definition of insanity is....to keep doing the same things and expect different results. This stuff works.