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Kidney Care

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we often forget the incredible role our kidneys play in keeping our bodies functioning optimally. These small, bean-shaped organs are responsible for filtering waste, regulating fluid balance, and maintaining healthy blood pressure. We at Panacea would like to tell our readers the fact that neglecting kidney health can lead to a host of issues, but with the right care and the support of appropriate supplements, you can ensure your kidneys remain in top-notch condition.

Understanding the Significance of Kidney Care:

The kidneys perform several crucial functions that are essential for overall well-being:

Waste Filtration: The kidneys filter waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream, ensuring toxins are eliminated efficiently.

Fluid Balance: They help regulate the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance, maintaining stable blood pressure and preventing swelling.

Hormone Regulation: Kidneys produce hormones that stimulate red blood cell production, regulate calcium metabolism, and control blood pressure.

pH Regulation: They play a role in maintaining the body’s acid-base balance, which is essential for normal cellular function.

Prioritising Kidney Health:

To maintain optimal kidney function, it’s crucial to adopt a healthy lifestyle and dietary habits. Here are some tips to consider:

Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water helps your kidneys flush out toxins and maintain proper function. Aim for about 8 glasses (2 liters) of water daily, but adjust based on your activity level and climate.

Balanced Diet: Focus on a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This diet provides essential nutrients and antioxidants that support kidney health.

Monitor Salt Intake: Excessive sodium consumption can raise blood pressure and strain the kidneys. Opt for low-sodium options and avoid highly processed foods.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity can increase the risk of kidney disease. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Supplements and Nutrients for Kidney Care:

While a well-rounded diet forms the foundation of kidney care, certain supplements and nutrients can provide additional support:

Vitamin D: Essential for kidney health, vitamin D helps regulate calcium levels and supports immune function. Consult your healthcare provider before taking supplements.Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit kidney function. Sources include fish oil supplements and foods like flaxseeds and walnuts.

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OM Organic Chaga Mushroom Powder

Chaga mushrooms have only recently started to gain popularity in the western word, but have been used for hundreds of years in Siberia and Asia. These amazing mushrooms grow on hardwood trees, primarily birch, in the forests of northern Europe, Russia, Asia, Canada, and the northeastern United States. They usually grows as a conical or oblong black charcoal looking protrusion from the bark which contributes to its nickname “black gold”

Chaga has a naturally occurring vanillin, the same as found in the vanilla bean. Therefore, it has a slight hint of vanilla flavor when used and doesn’t taste like a regular mushroom. It has long been used as a tea but more recently gaining popularity to make mushroom lattes.

Benefits:

High levels of antioxidants:

Antioxidants are nature’s anti ageing ingredients. Our body ages because of “free radicals” that damage our cells, and antioxidants limit the damage caused (find our more here). Chaga has one of the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity) scores of any food. The higher the ORAC score the better a food’s ability to protect the body.

Immune support:

Aside from the healing antioxidants, Chaga contains Beta-Glucans which help balance the response of the body’s immune system, helping your immunity be ready when needed but not over stimulating it. Chaga is also being researched for it’s antiviral properties.

Natural adaptogen:

Adaptogens are herbal components that control the adrenal system of the body. They manage how the body react to anxiety and stressful situations and although this is not an instant effect, using adaptogenic supplements such as Chaga may help reduce the long term effects of stress and how you cope with these situations .

Chaga Mushroom Latte:

Ingredients:

1 cup milk of choice nut or dairy milk

2 cups water

1 tbsp Chaga Mushroom Powder

1 tsp Yogi Tea Classic or Choco Chai loose tea

1/2 tsp honey or maple syrup to taste

 

Instructions:
  1. Put the water, milk, yogi tea and mushroom into a small pan.
  2. Heat gently for about 10 minutes until hot.
  3. Add honey or syrup
  4. Strain into a favourite mug and enjoy

Recipe adapted from: louiseinnes.com

 

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Wiley’s Finest Prenatal Omega 3 DHA

Good for Mum and Baby!

Omega 3 DHA is an essential nutrient required during pregnancy.  It is necessary for normal and healthy development of the baby’s brain, eyes, and nerves while in the womb.  Eating foods containing DHA during pregnancy has long-lasting benefits for the child as well as the mum as it has been seen to lower the risk of post natal depression. Omega 3 DHA is found naturally in fatty fish, such as salmon and herring, or in dietary supplements.

Babies only get DHA from their mums

The developing baby is completely dependent on its mother for DHA especially during the last trimester of pregnancy, because the brain and eyes are developing rapidly during this time. The baby’s need for enough DHA is so strong that he or she will deplete their mother’s DHA if the supply is low. This is why women need to consume enough DHA during pregnancy for both of them. In addition, eye development and vision are not completely developed by their birth, so feeding the baby healthy levels of DHA from breast milk or formula helps vision continue to develop. Healthy levels of DHA have also been shown to help improve moods in women before and after birth.

How much do you need?

Neither mom nor baby can make DHA in the body so it must be consumed through the diet or from supplements. Experts recommend getting at least 200 – 300 mg DHA per day, and some recommend up to 900 mg per day to cover the needs for both mother and child

Why Wiley’s Finest?

Wiley’s Finest Prenatal DHA provides a concentrated dose of EPA and DHA essential fatty acids in every serving.
  • Concentrated Wild Alaskan Fish Oil made at their family owned and operated cGMP Refinery
  • Each serving contains 120mg EPA, 600mg DHA for a total of 720mg Omega-3s
  • Take 2 softgels per day; 60 count bottle is a 1 month supply!
  • Sustainable Alaskan Fish caught by American Fishermen

Wiley’s Finest has partnered with national charity Baby Lifeline.

During the months of August and September 2017, Wiley’s Finest will be donating 5% sales of Beginners DHA and Prenatal DHA to Baby Lifeline which supports the care of pregnant women and their unborn and newborn babies, ensuring the best possible outcome from pregnancy and birth.

Sam Wiley, Managing Director of Wiley’s Finest says:
“We are honoured to partner with Baby Lifeline, a charity dedicated to supporting babies during their first precious moments in this world. Our family believes supporting the nutritional care of every mother, both pre and postnatal and her baby is essential. As a father with young children, I am touched to think we can be a part of their mission.”

 

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Viridian 7 Day Sugar Detox

Say Goodbye to Sugar and Hello to Better Health, Better Sleep and Better Vitality

Sugar is addictive. There is no doubt about that. It comes in various disguises and it seems impossible to give up. it is human nature to respond positively to rewards. When you eat sugar your brain “rewards” you by producing Dopamine  – a chemical that is responsible for feeling pleasure. Good? You would think so, but in actual fact the body becomes less responsive to the dopamine and you therefore eat more sugar to get the reward feeling and this becomes a vicious cycle of highs and blood sugar crashes leaving you feeling absolutely rubbish. Sound familiar?

But we need sugar!

True. Sugar is digested and turned into glucose – one of the main fuel sources for the body. Again you would think that’s good but our body’s aren’t meant to cope with the quantities of sugar the average first world person consumes, and this is what happens:

Once your food is digested, the glucose is absorbed through the intestine, you produce insulin which acts as a transportation for the glucose to various parts of the body to be used as energy. The more simple the sugar, the faster this happens.

Once you’ve got enough energy in the cells, the leftover glucose is stored in the liver, muscles and fat cells to be used in between meals. Your body won’t waste energy and it has an endless storage supply in fat cells, so when you eat more sugars than you use, you grow more fat cells to store it.

Eventually your body develops an insulin resistance which is the pancreas producing less insulin. This leaves the body with too much glucose in the blood and nothing to transport, it and you’re left with a good chance of getting type 2 diabetes if you do not get the sugar consumption under control.

Sugar affects your immune system

Glucose is a food source for our cells but also for Candida yeast,  bacterias, and even cancer cells. This is not to say that the consumption of sugar causes these problems, only that it fuels them. Sugar is also seen to reduce the effectiveness of your immune system. A study done in the 1970’s found that eating simple sugars decreases the immune system’s effectiveness to kill bacteria and viruses it finds in the body.

Sugar affects our sleep.

Blood sugar levels that are too high or too low cause our sleep to be interrupted. Lack of a good night sleep then also causes problems with our blood sugar. Tiredness leads to the body dumping glucose into the blood stream, insulin having to transport it, and you get a cycle of cravings, mood highs and lows, and energy and exhaustion.

The average person in large cities has the following daily routine:

  • A bad night sleep leaves you slow to start, running late and grabbing a cup of coffee and chocolate muffin for breakfast – Sugar high.
  • You then have a sugar crash, so it’s a cup of tea and a biscuit to boost you, giving you another sugar high.
  • Another crash comes just in time for lunch, so you have meal deal with a chocolate bar and fruit smoothie (hidden sugars)
  • Another low in the late afternoon, so it’s another tea and biscuit
  • You get home feeling exhausted so you warm up a ready meal containing as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar.
  • Another sugar crash before bed and you’re on your way to another restless night sleep to do it all over again the next day.

Had enough?

We have too, so our product of the month is the new Viridian Sugar Detox Kit.

Start your Sugar detox

Once you decide to quite sugar. Viridian have developed a 7 day Sugar detox program supporting you with supplements and a 7 day plan to help you get over your sugar cravings for good!

The 7 Day Sugar Detox pack supplement contains Chromium, Cinnamon and Alpha Lipoic acid.

Chromium is an important mineral that contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. Cinnamon, also known as “sweet wood,” has been well studied clinically and has a long history of traditional use. Alpha lipoic acid is found in all cells and is in this formula as it has a balancing effect on blood sugar levels in the body.

You can also download the app, get free meal plans, recipes and even a shopping list to help you through program on their 7 day sugar detox website

It’s time for a better you, so give up refined sugars and have a healthier summer and future.

 

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Magnesium for Migraine

The Causes of Migraine

A few facts:

  • Women are three times more likely to have migraines than men.
  • Migraines may be hereditary
  • Some women may have fewer migraines when they are pregnant

The pain can last from four hours to three days, and if untreated, can be severe enough to hamper daily activities. Based on symptoms, they are classified into two types:

  • Common migraine: If you have a migraine with aura, you may see things such as stars or zigzag lines or have a temporary blind spot about 30 minutes before the headache starts. Even if you don’t experience an aura, you may have other warning signs in the period before the headaches starts, such as a craving for sweets, thirst, sleepiness, or depression.
  • Classic migraine is migraine without aura.

Migraines tend to first appear between the ages of 10 and 45. The exact cause is still not well understood, but the problem is considered to be related to the circulatory and nervous system and more common among people who have epilepsy, depression, asthma, anxiety, stroke, and some other neurologic and hereditary disorders.

A migraine can be triggered by a number of factors including alcohol, stress and anxiety, certain odours or perfumes, loud noises or bright lights, and smoking can trigger a migraine. These attacks may also be triggered by changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle or due to the use of birth control pills. Certain foods also act as migraine triggers, as do changes in sleep patterns, missed meals, and exercise or other physical stress.

Magnesium-migraine Connection

Researchers believe that there is a magnesium-migraine connection because of magnesium’s role in stabilising the blood vessel walls. Magnesium plays a vital role in multiple physiologic processes and deficiency of magnesium can be seen in many chronic medical illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, preeclampsia, eclampsia, sickle cell disease, and chronic alcoholism. Regular sleeping patterns are also very important to migraine sufferers and magnesium is an important mineral when it comes to helping you get sleep.

It was first suggested over 70 years ago that a deficiency in magnesium could cause headaches. A lot of the things that cause the body to run short of magnesium also either trigger migraines or lower your resistance to disease. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include premenstrual syndrome, leg muscle cramps, coldness of extremities, weakness, anorexia, nausea, digestive disorders, lack of coordination, and confusion. Magnesium also helps in protein synthesis and helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function.

In 1989, a study showed that sufferers have low brain magnesium during migraine attacks. Published in ‘Headache, The Journal of Head and Face Pain, October 1989, the study established that low brain magnesium is an important factor in the mechanism of the migraine attack.

Other studies have shown that a deficiency of magnesium may play a particularly important role in menstrual migraine.

Magnesium Supplementation

A German study in the Munich-Harlaching Clinic evaluated the effect oral magnesium supplementation has on patients. 81 patients aged 18–65 years with migraine, with an attack frequency of 3.6 per month, were examined.

After 4 weeks they received 600 mg of oral magnesium daily for 12 weeks or placebo. By weeks 9–12, the attack frequency was reduced by 41.6% in the magnesium group and by 15.8% in the placebo group. The number of days with migraine and the drug consumption per patient also decreased significantly in the magnesium group. Duration and intensity of the attacks also tended to decrease compared to placebo.

Another study done in Italy found that magnesium supplementation is helpful in managing menstrual migraine.

Getting more Magnesium

If you suffer from regular migraines, chances are you might be having low serum magnesium. Include plenty of magnesium-rich foods like wheat germ, beans, soy products, whole grains, seafood and dark green leafy vegetables to your diet.

You should also add some good oral magnesium supplements like Mag365. Another way to get magnesium is through topical solutions like Magnesium Rub. Transdermal magnesium therapy is ideal for those suffering from a severe lack of magnesium.

Mag365 not only has a high bioavailability, it is also gentle on your stomach. For best results, take on an empty stomach ideally a half hour before bed. Take magnesium for at least 60-90 days to see a more meaningful difference

For full article and references visit MAG365

 

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Female Hair Loss? Nourkrin® is here to help

Nourkrin® – A scientifically proven anagen (growth) inducer to help promote and maintain healthy hair growth

It is estimated that there are, on average, 8 million women in the UK experiencing some degree of hair loss/hair thinning at any given time – approximately 60% of women between 30 and 60 years of age.

A recent independent survey, commissioned by Nourkrin®, found that 46% of women suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn for advice. Others feel insecure, embarrassed and uncomfortable talking about this condition. Hair loss/hair thinning remains a taboo subject, something that needs to be addressed as soon and as genuinely as possible.

Nourkrin® is taking 
responsibility by working to increase the awareness of seriousness of this problem.

Nourkrin® has launched a major campaign to bridge the knowledge and communication gap between female hair loss/hair thinning sufferers and healthcare professionals. This is designed to further increase the knowledge and understanding of the condition, building on the vast experience and expertise acquired since Nourkrin® established the female hair loss category.

Women suffering from hair loss or hair thinning conditions need support so they understand that they are NOT alone and that help IS available. They can take effective action to improve their situation and take the first step towards receiving quality guidance.

For more than two decades Nourkrin® have worked hard to bring real and documented knowledge about hair loss and hair thinning to light, based on thorough in-house scientific research.

As the brand that established the hair loss supplement category Nourkrin® is proud, as well as humbled, to have restored confidence to hundreds of thousands of women.

Hair Health and the normal Hair Growth Cycle.

At any given time, 10-15% of your hair is shedding (falling out).

This is completely natural and part of a ‘Normal Hair Growth Cycle’. The Hair Growth Cycle has three phases:

Phase 1 – Anagen (Growth) Phase

The Growth Phase, in which 85- 90% of hair is actively growing at any given time. This phase lasts on average 3 years, but can be longer.

Phase 2 – Catagen (Transition) Phase

The Transition Phase in which the hair’s nutrient vessel (the dermal papilla) disconnects from the follicle as the Growth Phase comes to an end. Approximately 1% of hairs are in this phase for a period of 1-2 weeks only.

Phase 3 – Telogen (Dormant/ Resting) Phase

The Resting Phase in which 10-15% of the hair sits inactive in the follicle after reaching its full growth potential. The average duration of this phase is 3-4 months, after which the hair is released from the follicle and replaced by a new hair.

The follicle then returns to begin a new Growth Phase, thereby completing the cycle.

Female hair loss can be closely linked to serious health conditions.

More and more research is highlighting the link between hair loss/hair thinning and more serious health conditions, with sudden increases in shedding being a possible precursor to a physical illness.

These studies add to an increasing body of evidence identified by, among others, Nourkrin®, which has been reported in national media worldwide, and demonstrates that female hair loss is a possible indicator of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid problems.

Key factors that could be the cause of hair loss/hair thinning are, among others:

Stress, Genetics, Hormones, Pregnancy and childbirth, Health, Smoking, Diet, Medicine

If you are experiencing excessive hair shedding you should see a GP or Health Care Practitioner for further help.

The consequences of a disrupted Hair Growth Cycle One or more of the serious health conditions detailed above could result in a disrupted Hair Growth Cycle. What often occurs in a disrupted Hair Growth Cycle is:

Phase 1 – Anagen (Growth) Phase

The duration of the Growth Phase is reduced and as a consequence the entire Hair Growth Cycle is suddenly disrupted.

Phase 2 – Catagen (Transition) Phase

When the Growth Phase is reduced the Hair Growth Cycle enters the Transition Phase much too early.

Phase 3 – Telogen (Dormant/ Resting) Phase

As a consequence more hair strands then enter the Dormant/ Resting Phase too soon and start to extend the duration of the Dormant/Resting Phase, leading to increased hair shedding and weaker re-growth.

Following a prolonged Dormant/Resting Phase, fewer hair follicles are induced back into the Growth Phase, resulting in no re-growth.

This is known as dormant hair follicles. Regardless of the reason for the hair loss/hair thinning, the Hair Growth Cycle is always negatively affected. A disruption to the Normal Hair Growth Cycle is often the major contributor to hair shedding and weaker re- growth.

How Nourkrin® helps and what it does!

Nourkrin® is a scientifically proven hair re-growth programme that works! Nourkrin® is based on more than 28 years of research, development and clinical studies.

It is a specifically formulated programme with a proprietary blend of ingredients, including the unique, protected substance Marilex®, which can only be found in Nourkrin®.

What Nourkrin® does

Nourkrin is not just another multivitamin or hair, skin and nails formulation.

The active ingredient in all Nourkrin® tablets, Marilex® (a fractionated fish extract with specific lectican proteoglycans), contains specific components known to be structurally associated with the hair follicles and the functioning of these. Nourkrin® is proven to work in conjunction with the Hair Growth Cycle, to help normalise a disrupted cycle by stimulating dormant follicles back into the Growth Phase. At the same time, Nourkrin® also provides nutrition to improve the overall life and function of the hair follicles on the scalp.

The Nourkrin® effect

It is crucial that follicles stuck in a dormant state are stimulated to re-enter the Growth Phase. As more and more hairs re-enter the Growth Phase, the Resting Phase is pushed back to normal levels – reducing the amount of hair shedding. The prolonged Growth Phase sustains active follicles in producing healthy hair regrowth.

Nourkrin® should always be used as a first-line approach when dealing with hair loss in order to normalise the Hair Growth Cycle

This arcticle has been written by Nourkrin® for Panacea Health & Beauty. To find out more about their range of hair supplements visit us in store

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Stress, Anxiety and Low Mood – A.Vogel

Stress, anxiety and low mood are unpleasant emotions which are all interlinked. You may feel stressed about a looming deadline at work. The fear of not completing the task in time will make you feel anxious. The fact that you are now stressed and anxious makes it difficult for you to think about anything else, which in turn makes you feel a bit miserable.

The more miserable and anxious you feel, the less you are able to concentrate, which makes you stress more about the deadline. This in turn increases anxiety levels … and so it goes on.

Continuous pressure to succeed does nothing to help us relax. Against us is a need to perform at our best, and to keep up with the ever increasing standards. What is this doing to us? It’s putting us under stress, making us anxious and leaving us with a low mood.

Stress

Stress is not an illness in itself. It tends to manifest itself by way of unpleasant symptoms, both physical and mental. These include the feeling of nervousness, a racing heartbeat and sharpening senses, as well as a feeling of being overwhelmed, irritable or restless. It occurs when we are put under too much pressure and we struggle to react rationally or to relax.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the reaction to undue stress. It can be triggered by a wide range of circumstances including performing or speaking in public or social situations. Anxiety can be treated in a similar way to stress, and finding an effective management technique for you goes a long way towards easing your symptoms.

Low Mood

Low mood is found at one end of the unhappiness spectrum. This shares a border with mild depression if your mood continues to be low for a long period of time because you are unable to pick yourself up.

However, the boundary between the two is not clear. It often takes a medical professional such as a doctor or psychiatrist to determine if you are experiencing symptoms of depression or low mood associated with normal day-to-day living.

When you are feeling sad, down or fed-up, it is important to keep an eye on your feelings and symptoms as these will give you the clearest indication of the root cause of your problem. If you are feeling a bit down because it is the end of your holiday and are not looking forward to the normal routine of work and housework, or after some bad news, the chances are that you will feel sad for a few days but as things go back to normal, this feeling will lift. What is important with low mood is to distinguish it from depression.

Depression

Depression is a medical condition in which the sufferer experiences feelings outside the normal range of emotions. It is a serious condition which must be treated by a medical professional, particularly if accompanied by thoughts of suicide. It is important to establish if the emotions you are experiencing are due to low mood or depression. Although sharing many similar features, the two conditions are usually managed differently.

Low mood is part of the normal spectrum of emotions we go through in our daily lives. Moods tend to get better as circumstances improve or with the arrival of good news. Depression is a complex medical or psychiatric condition which may be severe and potentially life threatening if left untreated. Depression is also likely to interfere with everyday life – for example, someone with the condition may not have the motivation to leave the house for days at a time.

Understanding and treating

Having an understanding of these three conditions often helps us to tell if we are just having a bad day, or if we are indeed succumbing to the modern day illness of busyness. It is important to examine your symptoms carefully, as stress, anxiety and low mood may lead to more serious health conditions, including high blood pressure and heart problems. The good news is that they are all treatable, often through a combination of self-help techniques and herbal remedies, most commonly Valerian, Avena sativa and St. John’s Wort.

So take a deep breath and relax…

Written By Marianna for a.vogel.co.uk

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A Recipe for Successful Weight Loss

Summer is nearly over. However, for some, firm resolutions made at the beginning of the year have not been achieved: weight loss.  There is no need to feel guilty and no need to wait until next Monday to start a healthy weight losing transformation.  Do you feel those magic pills do not do their job, miracle powders do not achieve presumed goals or  jumping from one diet to another either?

Understanding ourselves is the key point to control and achieve our desires.  Something can work for most people, but maybe not for some of them and vice versa.  Going through the process of losing weight is not always cheap, however it can be affordable for every single pocket, and with a satisfactory result, with only 5 ingredients. Four of them are found easily in almost every kitchen: cucumber, parsley, lemon and ginger.  The most atypical one is Aloe Vera gel.

A combination of all these ingredients will help you reduce that extra and undesirable fat around your belly.  It will not happen suddenly, but with patience and perseverance the goal will get closer.

This recipe needs:

  • 1 cucumber
  • ½ handful of fresh parsley
  • lemon juice from one lemon
  • 1 tablespoon of ginger (Ginger could be either powder or a fresh cut into small pieces).
  • 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel,
  • 200ml of filtered water.

Everything is added into a blender and mixed for 5 to 10 seconds and the powerful formulation is ready.  It must be taken before going to sleep, so the next morning when you wake up, you’ll run to the toilet to flush out all the excess water and with it, some fat.

Cucumber

The diuretic power of cucumber is remarkable, it will excrete all unnecessary water and fat from your body.

Parsley

Parsley is considered an amazing antioxidant due its nutritional value: it is high in vitamin C that prevents oxygen-based damage to cells.  It also supports kidney function, and as cucumber does, parsley flushes out excess fluid from the body. Parsley also has a sedative effect as it relaxes stiff muscles in the digestive system and encourages digestion.

Lemon

Lemon is well known for its strong function as an antibacterial, so it contributes to cleaning of the colon because it contains fibre pectin.  In some way, a start of the weight-loss process requires detoxification of the body.  Lemon in this case is your best friend as a natural cleanser,  it “kicks out” unwanted toxins.

Ginger

On the other hand, ginger has a beneficial effect in the whole of the digestive system. It helps regulate and aid the movement of food through the stomach, as well as small and large intestines.  When everything moves more smoothly, one benefits by losing weight more easily.  As ginger has a high fibre content, gastrointestinal mobility will also increase.  By increasing the rate of metabolism, ginger can help burn off some of the fat stored in the body.  Another remarkable point about this yellow root is that it controls and suppresses the effect of cortisol.  Cortisol is a steroid hormone necessary for energy regulation and mobilisation.  Chronic stress can cause cortisol levels to rise too high. Adipose fat moves to the visceral area where it receives an increased blood supply that encourages tissues to produce an excess amount of cortisol. High cortisol levels may increase excess belly fat and weight gain.

Aloe Vera

Finally, Aloe Vera gel is full of minerals and vitamins, but being used for losing weight is due to its laxative effect. Aloe Vera helps to turn carbohydrates and fats into energy rather than storing them.  So, as they are being used, they are basically being burnt.  And a very important point, this fantastic plant helps to control blood sugar balance. Quite necessary to avoid the feeling of cravings.

Several people have followed this detox-weight loss diet for a week and all of them are extremely happy with the recipe.  There is no secret. It depends on how disciplined every person is. However, the fact is, it is not very likely that with only this juice can someone become a fantastic “barbie girl or her boyfriend Ken” lookalike, it is extremely important to consider the rest of ones food intake and at least do some moderate exercise.

So, if you would like to take the number 1 position away from Barbie or Ken, please come and visit us at Panacea in Putney.  We could give you some useful advice on how to deal with a weight-loss process while using this drink.

If you have any medical conditions or are taking any medication please first consult your doctor or health practitioner

Written by Juan Lainez

 

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Eating Healthy on Holiday

Plan ahead.

Whether you’re flying or driving to your holiday destination, there is often panic before leaving the house doing your final checks is far more important at that moment than thinking about eating healthy. Pack a snack bag the day before that can easily be eaten on the way to the airport or popped in the car for when the first pangs of hunger occur. This will stop you having to find a meal packed with empty calories and saturated fats, leaving you feel hungry sooner and causing you to snack more on your trip. Plan stops and have your own packed meal instead of heading to the first fast food counter you see. If this is not possible, try to find out what outlets are available at your stop and get to know what foods they have.

Keep busy.

There is nothing like boredom to make you want to snack, and the first foods are crisps, sweets and small nibbles full of saturated fats and sugars. Keeping busy is an easy way to prevent you from letting your hands wander into your snack pack. Make sure you have a good book, brain teasers, a game that will prevent you from getting easily bored, or if you’re a passenger in a car, make sure your tablet is filled with interesting videos. Keep the driver busy by doing a crossword or brain teasers. This will help keep them alert as well as passing time.

Don’t skip meals.

It’s easy to get carried away with the sights and as all the walking does great things for your health filling up on caffeine and sugary snacks to keep you going until dinner won’t do much for your health. Check out sites such as trip adviser and see what restaurants are recommended in the area you will be visiting. Some hotels will pack a lunch for you or maybe visit a local super market to pick up some nuts or dried fruit to snack on.

Watch out for jetlag.

Once the tiredness kicks in, it’s tempting to have the largest coffee you can find and have every type of pastry on the buffet, but drinking plenty of water and having a fresh juice with your breakfast can also give you a boost. Try Revive Active sachets in the morning to give you an action packed multi vitamin boost. It also contains Ubiqionol – a form of Co-Q10 that is essential for cell energy. Higher Nature make handy “Brighter Day” effervescent tablets that you can keep in your bag which is also great for a healthy pick me up

Buffets

With so much to choose from! Start by using a smaller plate. Fill up with salads, grilled or cooked vegetables, protein and fibre. This will keep you fuller for longer as well as keeping you, well… regular. Try to avoid fried foods. If you just have to have that dessert, do it, share it or just have a taste, it often looks better than it actually is.

Make your own meals.

If you’re staying somewhere with kitchen access, do it yourself. You’re more likely to eat something nutritious at home—and you’ll know exactly what’s in it. It doesn’t feel like a holiday when you’re cooking all the time but there are many fast, nutritious meals you can do. As well as being good for your budget, it’ll be good for your waistline.

Beware of drinks.

We all love a good cocktail on the beach but keep it to one. As well as being full of fruit juices most cocktails have some form of sugar or glucose syrup added. Alcohol is never good for the waist line but if you’re going to have a drink stick to the spirits or maybe have a spritzer.

Save space for treats.

You’re on holiday! And regardless of where you are, each place has its own unique cakes, pastries or sweets. Try them. Get some to take home, it’s all about quality, not quantity. Ask the locals where then best places are so you don’t try every teashop in Cornwall looking for the best Cornish cream tea.

It’s a HOLIDAY!

If you worry about food the whole holiday you won’t enjoy it.  Do your best and don’t sweat the small stuff. If you overdo it one day go for brisk walk on the beach the next day. Be active, sleep well and have fun!

Holiday supplement list:

Viridian Travel Biotic –  provides a unique type of good bacteria, Saccharomyces boulardii, that has a long and very well established scientific use as a dietary supplement in a convenient, professional-strength, one-a-day capsule. It is heat-resistant so no need to refrigerate. The perfect digestive companion for work and holiday travel.

Revive Active – Revive Active is a revolutionary nutritional supplement containing a powerful combination of Amino Acids, Vitamins,Minerals and natural sweetener Stevia. Click here for more info about this fantastic supplement

Higher Nature Brighter Day – A tasty, natural blackcurrant flavour drink to help when you’re feeling low. With vitamins to help with energy and normal psychological function. Turmeric is known to have anti inflammatory properties and may help with the inflammation in brain tissue caused by long haul flights.

A.Vogel Echinacea Forte – Because no one wants to get ill on holiday. A one a day immune support supplement to help keep colds and flu at bay. Find out more about Echinacea.

 

 

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Are you TATT (Tired all the Time)?

Are You Tired All The Time? If you are, you’re not alone. Far from it, in fact. It’s one of the common most reasons people go and see their doctor. The trouble is, most doctors can’t do much to help. That’s hardly surprising given they don’t learn much about non-specific conditions like fatigue during their medical training.

When someone suffers from persistent fatigue, many aspects of their life suffer. The quality of their work, the nature of their relationships or family life, their ability to go out, have fun, holiday, exercise – or even party – are often affected dramatically. Depression and anxiety may be triggers for fatigue, or they may be causes. The bottom line is that all kinds of events in life – ones that any healthy person would find manageable or even enjoyable – become a matter of trepidation. A doctor confronted with someone who exhibits symptoms of depression or anxiety often prescribes SSRI drugs (antidepressants). In the US, up to 10% of the population is taking an antidepressant at any one time. Things aren’t much different in most other industrialised countries.

You may also experience fatigue at certain times, and not others. OK, if you haven’t managed to get enough sleep, you’ve got good reason. But if you’re sleeping, or trying to sleep, and you just can’t seem to recover and feel energised, or you lose all your energy at particular times of day, such as after you’ve eaten, or when you’ve taken a limited amount of exercise, you’re starting to feel your fatigue and malaise a real problem.

There are always underlying reasons for fatigue-related conditions, but these can’t always be identified. In some cases, fatigue can be related to serious underlying diseases, which yet have been diagnosed, such as heart disease, thyroid diseases, type 2 diabetes, kidney or liver disease, or various infectious diseases, such as upper respiratory tract infections, gastric or duodenal ulcers, Lyme disease, pneumonia or periodontal disease. That’s why it’s always important to see a doctor or other qualified or experienced health professional to check for any possible, serious underlying causes.

While any of these conditions may be a cause of the fatigue, they may not be the sole cause and they may not have been the trigger that led to the disease in the first place. It may also be that the body struggles to resume normal, healthy function because of on-going mediators or perpetuators such as stressful life events (e.g. relationship or work-related challenges, financial difficulties, loss of a loved one), a poor diet or a particular nutrient deficiency, insufficient physical activity or relaxation, poor sleep quality, smoking, too much drink or other unhealthy habits.

Oftentimes however, the reasons for someone’s fatigue are complex, unclear and non-specific. Doctors and health professionals increasingly refer to this as ‘tired all the time’ syndrome, or TATT. Not for a lack of trying, the fatigue simply can’t be traced to a particular underlying disease. This is the case for over half the people who present to their doctors with fatigue — and the millions who don’t. Knowing there are some key things we can all do to help our bodies can be a lifesaver. We’ll give you more detail in upcoming blogs, but three key processes stand out as among the most important.

The first involves supporting the energy-producing ‘factories’ in our cells, the mitochondria. The second is about managing the amount of oxidative stress within the body. Both of these are strongly dependent on eating pattern and the quality of the nutrients you eat and absorb. It’s also about how you move, rest and sleep. The third key process is about providing the best possible environment for your body, one that nurtures it and allows it to function optimally. This means learning to be good to yourself, including eating as well as you can, taking particular supplementary nutrients, resting right and sleeping well, through to finding appropriate ways of being physically active and finding the best ways of transforming stress.

Article written by: Robert Verkerk – BSc MSc DIC PhD | Scientific Director, ANH Consultancy Ltd on behalf of Nuzest

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