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I recently had a patient who, in the quest for more selenium (for a self diagnosed heavy metal poisoning), was eating half a bag of brazil nuts each day, as well as taking a sublingual supplement – on top of a good multi-vitamin. Vitamin D for instance, although manufactured in the 10’s of 1000 IUs on a sunny day, when generated in the skin by UVB, is in a water-soluble sulphate form, and is transported through the blood to where it’s needed. On top of that, some people are genetically better than others at absorbing Vitamin D. Unless you’ve done a gene test, or a vit D status test, you’re in the dark (no pun intended! ). And you don’t need to see a specialist to stay healthy – just eat plenty of veg and decent protein, get some exercise you enjoy every day, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Unlike NSAIDs (stuff like ibuprofen) which work on the COX-1 and 2 enzymes which tells the body to release the prostaglandin inflammatory cascade, the active compounds in turmeric – a family called curcuminoids – works on LOX too, the enzymes that activate leukotrienes. Using a mixture of organic fresh and ground turmeric is the best way to reap the benefits in your cooking (don’t use the non organic stuff – irradiation, as you might imagine, rather undermines the antioxidant power). Cooking it and popping some in your smoothie is great for everyday wellness, but if you’re looking to swap your over the counter painkillers for something that doesn’t destroy your gut, you’ll need to take a supplement. What you’re looking for is a supplement that contains the potentiators as well as at least 95% standardized curcumin, and at least 250mg of active curcuminoids to do anything therapeutic – preferably nearer 800mg.

They can also be plant self defence – for example to prevent a plant from being damaged by frost, deter garden pests like slugs; or even attract insects for pollination! You’ll also know the name quercetin if you’ve been to the health food shop during hay fever season (it’s in onions, apples, lemons, and lots more). If you’re eating a varied diet full of fresh, local, preferably organic veg and seasonal fruit, you’ll be getting the perfect balance of phytonutrients and vitamins anyway. However, there are some things – such as turmeric – which have specific healing properties that it’s pretty hard to get in sufficiently concentrated doses from the diet.

Sharon fruit cup: puree 2 ripe Sharon fruit (aka Persimmon), half a pint of fizzy water, the juice of a lime and some ice, and decorate with star anise. In a pyrex make a paste of 2 tbs chestnut puree, 1-2 tbs date syrup or honey, and a little of your choice of milk, then slowly add the hot milk. Add half a pint of fizzy water and some ice cubes to a smoothie maker, the lemon (minus the herbs! ) and a tsp honey. Whilst it’s great to use the beginning of a new year as a reason to make changes, and perhaps recover from some bad drink decisions across the festive period, there’s no reason not to change some habits in the longer term and choose a delicious mocktail that won’t leave you reeling (well maybe they will but is a very good way! ! ).