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Michael Ash

Michael Ash

Michael Ash - Author

DO, ND, BSc (Hons) RNT, Founder and Former Managing Director of Nutri-Link Ltd.

Michael Ash, DO, ND, BSc(Hons), RNT, is a retired Registered Osteopath, Naturopath, and Nutritional Therapist with over 35 years of experience. He is the founder and former Managing Director of Nutri-Link Ltd, a leading provider of professional-grade supplements and practitioner education. A pioneer in integrative medicine, he has cared for over 10,000 patients and lectured internationally on immuno-nutrition. Michael is a published researcher and editor of Clinical Education and contributor to IHCAN. Committed to lifelong learning, he completes 200+ hours of CPD annually. Outside work, he enjoys trail running, mountain walking, travel, and reading.

A Healthy Gut is…

For those involved in functional medicine, the significance of the human gut in the onset, persistence, and exacerbation of various health disorders is well established. A comprehensive care package often includes strategies for healing a dysfunctional gut, focusing on restoring the community of microorganisms and their connections both locally and systemically. While there are numerous safe and effective interventions available, the definition of a "healthy gut" can vary significantly among practitioners...

Immune Health Probiotics Allergies Zinc

The Role of Food Ingredients in the Induction of Oral Tolerance and IgA

The gastrointestinal tract serves as a critical interface between the external environment and the immune system, playing a pivotal role in the induction of oral tolerance and the production of immunoglobulin A (IgA). Oral tolerance is a phenomenon that prevents the immune system from mounting an adverse response to ingested food antigens, thereby maintaining homeostasis and preventing food allergies and autoimmune diseases. This process is essential, given the increasing prevalence of food allergies...

Ageing Women's Health

Menopausal Transition: A Review for Health Care Practitioners

The menopausal transition is a significant and inevitable phase in a woman's life, marking the end of reproductive capability. It is a complex process that involves dramatic hormonal shifts and a variety of physical and emotional symptoms. This transition is typically divided into two stages: perimenopause, the phase leading up to menopause when hormonal fluctuations begin, and post menopause, which starts after a woman has experienced 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. During this...

Ageing Joint Health Lifestyle Medicine

What Is Dry Fasting and Why You Should Stretch?

Two recent papers, building on small but interesting areas of focus for health management are featured in this article. Stretching and balance as indicators of life expectancy and dry fasting as a method of metabolic health and weight management. Dry fasting, which involves abstaining from both food and water, has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Proponents claim various health benefits, but at this stage in the understanding of its effects, it is wise to advise caution, particularly...

Lifestyle Medicine Diets

Rising Cancer Rates Among Younger Adults: The Role of Diet and Lifestyle

The notion that cancer is predominantly a disease of old age is evolving. Recent analyses indicate that in the G20 group of industrialised nations, cancer rates are increasing more rapidly among younger populations compared to older ones. This trend has been confirmed by scientists at the American Cancer Society (ACS), who found that younger generations, particularly Gen X and Millennials, are more likely to develop certain types of cancer than Baby Boomers[1]. Half of the 34 types of cancer studied...

Ageing

Inhibit Il-11 and live longer?

A study in Nature in July 2024[1], raised the idea that blocking the interleukin 11 (IL-11) by using an IL-11 antibody could be a proposition for a healthy increase in lifespan, based on the outcomes in their experimental mouse subjects. As you would expect, IL-11 has a role in the induction and promotion of inflammation an underlying defensive mechanism that is amplified as we age and release more damaged proteins and other molecules in what is known as sterile inflammation. This soup of cellular...

Product Updates

Cutting-Edge Technology Meets Clinical Expertise: See It in Action

Dear Healthcare Professionals, As the editor of the Nutri-Link newsletter and on behalf of Nutri-Link, the proud, main sponsor of the Clinical Education forum, I'm thrilled to announce a groundbreaking enhancement to the practitioner support platform based on Clinical Education. We've implemented a cutting-edge semantic search feature in the Clinical Education Forum's case review section, set to transform the way you access and utilise clinical information. Semantic Search: A Game-Changer...

Metabolism Mental Health Weight management

The Ketogenic Diet – is it suitable for all?

The ketogenic diet, commonly known as the keto diet, has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential benefits in weight management and various health conditions. This high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet aims to induce a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body relies on ketone bodies derived from fat as its primary energy source instead of glucose from carbohydrates. While the keto diet has shown promise in several areas, it is essential to understand its mechanisms, benefits...

Immune Health Metabolism

Immunometabolism – Nutrition is Key

Disrupted immunometabolism: The hidden culprit behind complex health issues Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy and properly functioning immune system. The complex relationship between diet, nutrients, and immunity has significant implications for preventing and managing various diseases, from infections to chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer. Impact of micronutrients on immune function Micronutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, folate, and minerals like zinc...

Immune Health Digestive Health Food

Immunity and Metabolism

In this week (22.5.24) Diabetes UK announced that there are now almost 168,000 people aged under 40 years in the UK who live with type 2 diabetes, an increase of more than 47,000 since 2016-17. Diagnoses up 39% in 6 years, with the condition fuelled by obesity, health inequalities and junk food – meaning ultra processed food. According to the report, the total cost associated with diabetes in the UK currently stands at £23.7 billion and is predicted to rise to £39.8 billion by 2035/6. To put this...