The idea of something primarily made of sulphur may sound unlikely to help your body’s health (you’d maybe assume it would do quite the opposite), but don’t be put off. Because methylsulfonylmethane (or, rather, MSM, as it’s better known) may just prove to do your body a good deal of good; especially if consumed in the form of a properly organically-sourced supplement.

A natural sulphur compound that occurs in all living things, MSM is, in actual fact, the fourth most commonly found mineral in the human body. In which case, it plays an important role in the body’s general health and effective functioning. And it’s precisely because of this that boosting your levels of MSM is highly advised and, in the form of a dietary supplement, it’s fast become a popular way to help treat a swathe of various symptoms and conditions.

Indeed, this leads us on to some particularly good news, for – here at The Finchley Clinic – we can announce we’re now overseeing the production of a high-quality, fully organically-sourced MSM supplement on our own terms, which means we can sell it to our customers at a good, competitive price. You’ll find that our Finchley Clinic brand of MSM is still ‘Opti-MSM’ (the type of MSM we previously sold), as it’s manufactured in the same factory as the latter – the brand we reluctantly had to replace as it was no longer competitive enough for us to sell. All told, though, this is a new arrangement that, hopefully, should work out very well for both us and our customers.

So, then, just why is MSM so highly prized by the human body – what can it do…?

Positively affects joint health; reduces joint pain

Joint degeneration, which often causes pain in different areas of the body (knees, hips, hands and the back) can also limit mobility and movement. According to the results of different studies, MSM appears to help reduce cartilage breakdown (cartilage being a flexible tissue that protects bones in joints), while it could also reduce swelling and stiffness in joints and the pain associated with that.

Possesses anti-inflammatory properties

It’s MSM’s ability to act as both a chemical inhibitor and enabler that means it’s effective in the anti-inflammatory stakes. First off, it appears that it can inhibit the protein complex NF-kB, which otherwise would aid inflammatory responses in the body, while also help inhibit production of specific cytokines linked to systemic inflammation. Secondly, MSM can help boost glutathione levels in the body – glutathione is a powerful antioxidant – and help reduce arthritis-related symptoms (arthritis being an inflammatory condition that affects the body’s joints), such as pain and stiffness, and thereby aiding physical function and mobility.

May increase immunity

There are strong signs that MSM, in combination with improved sleep, physical exercise, diet and all-round healthier living, may be able to strengthen the body’s immune system and its work in the face of potential illness. To start with, given that MSM is primarily made up of sulphur, it can naturally contribute to improving the immune system and immunity.

An example being that, thanks to its antioxidant properties, MSM may be able to reduce oxidative stress – and, therefore, inflammation and reduced immunity, too – by helping rid the body of inflammation-causing compounds including IL-6 and TNF-ɑ.

Moreover, MSM’s aforementioned ability to bolster glutathione levels comes into play here, because the higher the levels of glutathione in the body, the better overall health and immune system function tends to be.

Could boost hair and skin health

Ever wondered why, when hair burns, it gives off such a unique smell? That aroma is sulphurous in nature and occurs because keratin – the key structural component of human hair – is a protein that’s particularly rich in the amino acid cysteine, which is packed full of sulphur. And, yes, it’s that sulphur commonality that ensures MSM may improve the health of your hair; essentially because it’s capable of behaving as a sulphur donor to keratin.

Additionally, owing to its anti-inflammatory capabilities (see above), it’s also believed that MSM may aid in repairing damaged skin cells and, thus, preventing the forming of premature skin-aging (i.e. wrinkles) and perhaps combat skin conditions like rosacea, which can lead to redness, irritation and inflammation of human skin.

Whichever way you slice it, then, whether it’s due to its anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant abilities or natural sulphuric content (or, indeed, all three combined), MSM may prove very beneficial for maintaining or boosting the health and effectiveness of many parts of your body. It’s for these reasons we definitely recommend you giving our new version of it a try – and see yourself what good it may do you!

So, it’s winter again. From a health perspective, that means more infections and seasonal bugs to dodge and deal with – all the more reason then, to try to boost your immunity. However, before we start properly on the importance of immunity, it’s important to note that upping their immunity levels won’t prevent anyone from catching the Covid-19 coronavirus and developing symptoms and, just as significantly, passing it on to other people and helping to spread the virus.

That said, as we’ve now entered winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, when so many ‘ordinary’ colds, viruses and bugs tend to enjoy a free rein, it’s more than a good idea to try to boost your body’s natural immunity. Who wouldn’t want to protect their body from nasty, harmful pathogens and potential disease-causing organisms and help their bodies combat them and prevent their symptoms?     

So, how might you best improve your immunity…?

Improve your sleep hygiene

There’s a close relationship between good sleep hygiene (sleeping well) and immunity – conversely, poor sleep is more likely to help lead to sickness, while people may naturally sleep longer when they’re unwell to aid their immune systems in their capacity to battle illnesses. On average, adults are advised to seek seven hours or more of sleep a night, teenagers between eight and 10 and young children/ infants up to 14 hours.

Add fruits, vegetables and healthy fats to your diet

There are few better ways to boost your immunity, in the long run, than to improve your nutrition. Seeking out foods packed full of excellent nutrients like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds are key here, given their antioxidants, especially, are great at reducing inflammation throughout the body by ridding the gut microbiome of harmful free radicals (‘bad bacteria’) that actively strip the immune system of its natural efficacy.

Meanwhile, getting more olive oil and oily fish into your diet is good for all the healthy fats they contain; they’re great for reducing pathogen-caused chronic inflammation and boosting immunity. For this reason, it’s believed olive oil can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease and type-2 diabetes, as well as aid the body in combating viruses and disease-causing bacteria.

Reduce sugars and saturate fats

Consuming too many refined carbs and, therefore, added sugars and saturate fats can, of course, result in someone eventually becoming overweight and developing obesity. Evidence suggests that obese people may suffer from compromised immunity (a study found that its obese subjects were twice as likely to develop flu symptoms after receiving a flu vaccine than none-obese subjects who’d received the same flu jab), no doubt due to excessive sugar-intake increasing inflammation in the body and, thereby, increasing the risk of chronic conditions like type-2 diabetes.

Get some exercise

There’s no need to overdo it (indeed, prolonged exercise can actually suppress an immune system), but sensible, adequate exercise is great for increasing the body’s immunity, contributing to inflammation reduction and natural cell regeneration. What sort of moderate exercise are we talking here? The likes of which will get your heart rate up (but not set it racing uncontrollably) so, a brisk walk or a light hike, cycling, jogging, swimming – for, on average, about 20 minutes a day.

Go the supplement route

Finally, an excellent alternative to boost your immunity is to turn to naturally-derived, well-reviewed supplements. Thanks, in part, to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, probiotics can prove a good supplement type to turn to (by all means take a look at our Probiotics section, here).

However, there are many immunity-improving supplements to be found if you do a bit of research. For instance, a terrific, brand-new-on-the-market example is Global Healing’s Plant-based Immune Boost, available from us, here, at The Finchley Clinic. Boasting a carefully blended mix of ingredients (organic herbs, trace minerals, plant essences, mushrooms and aromatics), it’s designed to help increase the immune system so it can maintain your health all-year-round – especially during the winter months. All that, and it tastes terrific, too!

Have you heard of glutathione? Generated in the body’s cells, it’s a naturally occurring, effective antioxidant. Yet, as a statement, that’s hardly doing it justice – because glutathione is so impressive it’s sometimes referred to by those in the know as ‘the mother of all antioxidants’.

Largely composed of three different amino acids (glutamine, cysteine and glycine), glutathione is such a useful antioxidant that, frankly, if its levels in the body are reduced, which unfortunately does happen, it’s advisable to take steps to try and boost them.

Why might your body’s glutathione count decrease? Well factors like stress, environmental toxins and nutritional habits can all take their toll – as can age, inevitably. Upping one’s glutathione levels, then, can take various forms; intravenously, topically or (surely most easily and most popular) orally, via a high-quality, organically-sourced glutathione supplement. The latter option is the one we suggest you opt for.

More on that shortly, though, because it’s important to understand just why glutathione is so important for us – thanks to its outstanding antioxidant properties…

Why glutathione’s so important

As you may expect, glutathione’s excellent antioxidant capacity aids the body in a number of different areas:

• Reduces oxidative stress – oxidative stress occurs as a result of ‘free radical’ toxins being given too free a rein in the body and, because of the bacterial imbalance this creates, can lead to the development of illness and disease, such as various cancers, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis; too little glutathione in the body can lead to higher levels of oxidative stress, while more glutathione means higher antioxidant levels and, therefore, resistance to oxidative stress

• Decreases liver cell damage – when cells in the liver become damaged and die, this may bring on fatty liver disease (whether the liver is exposed to the effects of alcohol abuse or not); the liver cell damage can be exacerbated by an antioxidant deficiency, which can be prevented by increased glutathione levels

• Increases insulin resistance among older people – unfortunately, as they get older, people generate less glutathione, which means, according to studies, their bodies burn less fat; boosting their glutathione levels, then, can help to drive up their insulin resistance and ability to shed body fat

• Improves mobility for sufferers of peripheral artery disease – this illness occurs due to plaque obstructing peripheral arteries, often in the legs; glutathione is believed to aid circulation in these arteries and to help peripheral artery disease sufferers walk further, pain-free

• May combat the impact of autoimmune disease – owing to the fact autoimmune disease-caused chronic inflammation can drive up oxidative stress, glutathione is highly likely to reduce such oxidative stress (see above); autoimmune diseases concerned include the likes of celiac disease, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis

• May address the effects of long-term high blood pressure and diabetes – linked to low glutathione levels and so, inevitably, oxidative stress, long-term high blood pressure (as well as uncontrolled diabetes) can be addressed, in this manner, via glutathione dietary supplements (especially when combined with cysteine and glycine).

The liposomal factor

Speaking of glutathione supplements, they’re certainly the source for this fantastic antioxidant that we recommend (as noted above). Yes, it’s definitely true you can try to boost your glutathione levels via specific foods, but that means incorporating into your diet *very* specific foods that are glutathione-rich. So, vegetables like asparagus, avocado, okra and spinach or raw/ very rare meat and unpasteurised milk/ dairy products – the latter of which are, of course, entirely unacceptable for vegetarians and/ or vegans.   

Instead, at The Finchley Clinic, we especially advise glutathione supplements created via the outstanding liposomal process. What’s this? Well, if a supplement’s referred to as a ‘liposomal’ supplement, it means it’s been prepared with the aid of applied nano-particle technology, which ensures the glutathione is highly bioavailable; maybe more so than in any other equivalent supplement.

For instance, in the latest supplement of its kind – the delicious-tasting Liposomal Glutathione Vanilla and Apricot flavour – the liposomal process ensures its microscopic offerings of glutathione are each encased in a nano-sized liposome bubble, so the stability of the chemical can be maintained on its journey through the digestive system.

This means the glutathione isn’t compromised and broken down by any digestive acids, so – once it reaches the gut – it can be fully absorbed and get about doing its antioxidant work in the body’s cells. In fact, this nano-particle technology ensures the body absorbs a liposomal supplement’s nutrients between seven and 10 times better than it does the equivalent nutrients from any non-liposomal supplements. A stark difference, indeed.

All of which means, then, that just a little of a liposomal glutathione supplement goes a long way – and, over time, a lot of it goes a *very* long way. And that’s precisely why we recommend liposomal glutathione supplements so highly and urge both our loyal and new customers to give them a try if they want to boost their glutathione levels.

Regular readers of this blog will, no doubt, be aware of just how important the digestive system is to the body’s overall health. Others, though, may not be. Not only is this part of the body responsible for the ingestion and processing of all the food and drink we consume, it’s also responsible for the gathering and processing of all nutrients and vitamins from our food and drink.

As such, then, it’s fundamentally where the immune system is based and where the tackling of many health-threatening illnesses, especially viruses and infections, begins – and, the bacteria in our gut actually plays a critical role in this, meaning it’s important this bacteria is balanced.

What does this mean? Well, when this colon-based bacteria – referred to as the microbiome – is out of whack (that is, harmful, externally-derived ‘bad bacteria’ outnumbers the health-enriching ‘good bacteria’), you can run into health problems. Indeed, many people are increasingly turning to good-quality, naturally-sourced probiotic products, which are packed full of those good bacteria, to get that gut balance right.

That’s all well and good, you might think, but what health problems are we talking about – how to know you may need probiotics…?

Digestive discomfort

With 90% of the human body’s bacteria calling the colon home, it’s hardly surprising all this bacteria can have a big influence on how the colon acts. A high-quality probiotic can be a great aid in both regulating bowel movement and potentially combating digestive discomfort, such as bloating and wind/ gas.

Moreover, research points to a connection between changes in gut bacteria (i.e. an increase in bad bacteria and a reduction in good bacteria) and age-related inflammation, thereby suggesting a boost to good bacteria levels could be important for health as we get older.

Major sugar cravings

You are what you eat, so the saying goes. While, strictly speaking, there’s only some truth in that, it does seem to be true that when we eat more of the foods we shouldn’t (those packed with saturated fats), it’s the bad bacteria in our colon encouraging us to eat them because they’re what *the bacteria* wants to eat. Sounds weird, right? Actually, it’s pretty smart – and probably should be concerning.

The fact of the matter is, for the harmful bad bacteria to survive, it needs to feed on – from its perspective – the right kind of food in your digestive system; namely, the sugars found in saturate fat. Therefore, it appears the bacteria eventually works out how to persuade you to eat more of that food to sustain its existence.

How can bacteria possibly do this? Well, there’s a nerve called the vagus nerve, which connects the gut with the brain, and experts believe bad bacteria in the microbiome uses this nerve to send signals to the brain; effectively asking us to eat the foods it needs.

Strains of bacteria are competitive, so some seek more of their food to crowd out their rivals and others, it seems, are even able to persuade someone’s taste buds to prefer their foods. Plus, some bad bacteria, evidence suggests, may adapt themselves to favour low fibre/ high sugar food diets that too many of us like – so, essentially, like their hosts, these bad bacteria have gained a sweet tooth.

A slowing metabolism

Findings from research, courtesy of Washington University School of Medicine, suggest people whose microbiome comprises a small variety of bacteria (that is, more bad than good) are more likely to be obese. Interesting? Yes, because it could indicate when bad bacteria are allowed free reign in your digestive system, you develop a slower metabolism and, therefore, a strong likelihood of your body retaining (saturate) fat and putting on weight and, eventually, becoming obese.

You’ve taken antibiotics – especially recently

To be clear, at the right time, antibiotics can be a critical treatment for sufferers of various different conditions – they even save people’s lives, of course. However, owing to their potency, antibiotics can harm even an otherwise healthy microbiome, killing off good bacteria there, in addition to whatever hazardous bacteria that’s invaded the body for which the antibiotics have been prescribed.

Skin issues (return)

Skin issues like eczema, psoriasis and itchy rashes are fundamentally associated with adolescence, but they can run well into and crop up again in adulthood. One of the reasons can be gut bacteria imbalance, believe it or not.

Indeed, research has found that the quality of bacteria residing in the digestive system can influence, well, the quality of one’s skin. Equally, then, a healthy microbiome can put things right with your body’s outside appearance – clear, healthy-looking skin being a by-product of getting your gut’s bacteria under control.

Optibac Probiotics

By now, then, it ought to be clear that improving your gut health and balancing out the bacteria in this part of your body may well be the answer for a wide range of health issues – in addition, of course, to adopting healthier eating habits and getting your diet right.

Indeed, by all means, take a look at our ‘Probiotics’ product page, here at The Finchley Clinic, to discover the different, entirely naturally-sourced, high-quality probiotic options available. A good example, we think, is the popular Optibac Probiotics for Every Day Extra Strength. Available in packets/ bottles of 90 capsules, it’s both vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, being a premium product that offers 20 billion live microorganisms, including five probiotic strains, not least the well-researched, highly regarded L. acidophilus NCFM – all for improved digestive health, immunity and energy levels.

So, who knows, it could be this probiotic product – or another, available through us – that proves just the thing to replenish those all-important good bacteria levels in your microbiome.

Arthritis is a highly common and indiscriminate ailment. It may mostly afflict older people, yet it’s so widespread complaint that it’s estimated, by the year 2040, 78 million people in the USA alone will suffer with arthritis. At first, this figure may sound rather remarkable, but then, when one considers just how common arthritis is in society, it becomes less outlandish; more very plausible.

All the more reason, then, whether you live in the United States or the UK (or, indeed, anywhere else) to be aware of just exactly what arthritis is, how to best treat it and how, if possible, prevent it occurring in the first place.

What is arthritis?

Not actually a single ailment, arthritis has up to 100 specific types, all of which come with differing manifestations and symptoms. In simple terms, though, arthritis occurs when someone experiences joint inflammation or joint disease; therefore, it tends to affect large joints in the body’s extremities – especially hands, wrists, fingers, knees, hips and ankles.

Without doubt, experiencing arthritis in the hands is common for a great number of sufferers, causing the likes of swelling, pain, stiffness and a limited amount of motion in the joints of the wrists and fingers. On the one hand, flare-ups in the hand can be very regular; on the other, people can go weeks a time between them.

Worse, though, sufferers can experience chronic arthritis in the hands, which makes even simple tasks difficult to complete; unfortunately, it doesn’t just affect the joints between bones, but also the cartilage that covers the surface of any bones near a joint, as well as the ligaments and tendons that connect and support the hand’s bones.

The different forms of arthritis that can affect your hands include:

• Osteoarthritis – the most common form, this chronic condition sees the cartilage at your joints degrade and break down, ensuring your bones rub against each other, thereby causing stiffness, pain and movement-loss

• Rheumatoid arthritis – a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs when the body’s immune system unnecessarily attacks the synovium membrane, which lines the hand’s joints; symptoms tend to be pain, swelling, inflammation, loss of function and even malformation of the wrist and finger joints

• Juvenile arthritis – occurs in children and adolescents under the age of 16 and comes in different forms, resulting in pain and joint-swelling in the hands and wrists; it’s often precipitated by broken bones in the hands or by ligament and tendon damage in hands or wrists.

Arthritis treatments

Given its debilitating factor (i.e. symptoms only get worse in the long-term), arthritis is a disease that requires early detection for the best, most effective treatment. Many medical professionals tend to advocate aggressive treatment deployed in the early stages; indeed, you might well find such an expert referring to a ‘window of opportunity’ here – it’s often deemed to be within two years after the disease’s initial onset.

Now, while some arthritis treatments a sufferer may be recommended aren’t on the aggressive side (for instance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – or NSAIDs – to help ease pain and inflammation), oftentimes aggressive treatment is, as mentioned, the recommended way to go. In extreme cases, even surgery could be deemed necessary, in order to correct or alleviate critical issues, especially if arthritis is starting to result in serious restrictions to movements of a limb/ limbs and, therefore, quality of life.

Arthritis prevention

There may not necessarily be a fail-safe way to prevent developing arthritis, especially in later life, but there are definitely some things you can try. It’s also worth pointing out that arthritis is more likely to occur in women than men and could be hereditary; your genetics may well increase the likelihood of it happening. All the same, prevention’s strongly advised to try to keep it at bay and to reduce its potential severity in later years and, to that end, you might want to try the following activities:

• Try to keep to a healthy weight

• Don’t smoke/ quit smoking

• Take care in a labour-intensive job to avoid injury to your joints when lifting, pulling and pushing heavy objects

• Practice good posture, especially if you’re employed in a desk-bound job; consider using a special keyboard, a wrist cushion or a pad for keyboard-typing

• Take up hand exercises to strengthen your hands’ muscles, to relieve stiffness and pain and to increase synovial fluid-function in the cartilage between their joints

• Try to take breaks when doing strenuous or repetitive activities.

Arthritis prevention supplements

Additionally, you could attempt to accommodate all the above steps with trying out an arthritis-focused, high-quality and totally naturally-sourced supplement. Newly available from us, at The Finchley Clinic, is the latest in the long line of Professor George Birkmayer’s NADH supplements – namely, NADH Arthros (NADH for Arthritis).

If you’re yet to learn about – let alone try any of the – NADH supplements, you doubtless won’t be aware they’re very popular with our regular customers; NADH itself being the shortened version of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride, a co-factor of more than 1,000 different essential enzymes in the human body. In its excellent supplement form, here, NADH is a potent antioxidant, may boost energy levels and stamina, reduce fatigue, protect against dementia and may help to provide energy to the brain, nerves, muscles and the heart.

Moreover, NADH Arthros – this new, specialised supplement offering – delivers a combination of NADH with glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate and MSM (sulphur). Why? Because, when blended together, they may well contribute to the body keeping arthritis at bay. Indeed, the suppliers suggest you may well reap benefits if you take the supplement for up to four weeks; we would more conservatively suggest a regimen of NADH Arthros for two months is a better bet. However, unless our customers try it, we can’t be sure – so why not give it a try and let us know…?

Have you heard of K2? No, not the mountain; the vitamin. You haven’t? Well, you’re not alone – most people haven’t. Admittedly, it doesn’t crop up a great deal in Western world diets, which may explain its lack of recognition. Yet, it really ought to be better recognised, given the critical role it can play to maintain both good heart and bone health.

And that, we feel, here at The Finchley Clinic, is a moot point because, if you’re not getting enough Vitamin K2 from your diet (and the chances are you’re not), why not turn to high-quality supplementation for it, instead…?

Vitamins K1 and K2

Vitamin K2 is, in fact, one of the two forms of Vitamin K; the latter having been long recognised as essential for blood clotting – or blood coagulation. Vitamin K’s discovery was first reported in a German scientific journal and referred to as ‘Koagulationsvitamin’; explaining the ‘K’ in its name.

Alongside K2, the other form of Vitamin K is K1 (also known as phylloquinone), which occurs in plant foods like leafy greens, while K2 (also known as menaquinone) occurs mostly in certain animal-based and fermented foods.

What do K1 and K2 do?

In general, Vitamin K is critical to the body’s natural function, by aiding blood clotting and calcium metabolism, as well as helping to maintain heart health. Its involvement with calcium extends to the fact it importantly supports bone calcification, while preventing calcification of blood vessels and the kidneys.

What specifically of K1 and K2, though? Well, although they’re both forms of Vitamin K, some experts believe the roles of K1 and K2 differ to a large degree, so should be classified separately from each other. Indeed, this thinking appears to be supported by certain studies that have found K2 supplements can improve bone and heart health, while K1 (without K2) appears to provide no significant benefits here.

Vitamin K2 – may help prevent heart disease

Now, a big risk for heart disease is if calcium congregates in the arteries around the heart; so, anything that may reduce this build-up of calcium could be very important – and it’s believed Vitamin K can help here. One particular study has demonstrated that, of all its test subjects, those who consumed the largest amounts of K2 were 52% less likely to develop artery calcification, while they ran a 57% lower risk of death from heart disease.

Vitamin K2 – may boost bone health

One of the most harmful health conditions for bone health is osteoporosis; quite simply, it drives up the chance of someone experiencing bone breaks. As many are aware, it’s a very common ailment, not least among ageing women. Evidence shows, though, that K2 can help counter osteoporosis by promoting the binding of two proteins (matrix GLA protein and osteocalcin) to aid the construction and maintenance of bones.

Indeed, one study has found that postmenopausal women taking Vitamin K2 supplements experience far slower reductions in age-related bone mineral density. Moreover, other studies into K2’s effect on women’s bone health have revealed similar results. Out of 13 of them, only one study’s results didn’t suggest significant improvement, while seven of the studies suggested K2 decreases spinal fractures by 60%, hip fractures by 77% and all non-spinal fractures by 81%.

Consuming Vitamin K2 – food and supplements

Unfortunately, unlike K1, Vitamin K2 doesn’t feature in that many widely available foods. Plus, although the body’s capable of converting the K1 it receives from a balanced diet into K2, studies suggest that the average person is unlikely to get sufficient K2 this way.

So, how to get more K2? Well, it is available in specific foods, such as high-fat dairy products like beef from grass-fed cows, egg yolks, liver and other organ meats. Clearly, though, this is obviously of little good for those whose diets, for different reasons, won’t accommodate such foods. In which case, trying Vitamin K2 supplements is a great alternative. Such a supplement you may well be interested in taking a look at, then is Vitamin K2 Myomax, newly available from us at The Finchley Clinic.

This product (which delivers K2 in a high-dosage and is 100% soy-free), the manufacturer confidently claims, may well improve users’ cardiac output and the oxygenation of their body tissue, in addition to supporting their bone, nerve, heart and arterial health and efficient mitochondrial function.

To be clear, there’s no silver bullet for ensuring good heart and bone health across one’s life, but healthy-living, a good, balanced diet, sensible exercise and Vitamin K2 consumption via high-quality, organic-derived supplementation are the right steps to take.

Let’s not kid ourselves; products for pain relief that are derived from the cannabis plant are controversial. Yet, it would be incorrect to assume all chemicals in such products are the same. They aren’t at all.

To be clear; hemp oil, which is nowadays increasingly sought out by sufferers of chronic pain to relieve their symptoms, contains no psychoactive element. That’s to say, a naturally-sourced hemp oil supplement is specifically designed to aid the body, not give you a high – it won’t give you a high.

That’s because hemp oil isn’t derived from the part of the cannabis plant that contains the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive, high-generating chemical; but from the part of the plant that contains the chemical cannabidiol (CBD). These hemp oil products, then (especially if they’re supplements featuring broad-spectrum hemp oil), offer a rich variety of nutrients, fatty acids and other bioactive chemical compounds that might well prove useful for pain and inflammation relief – as well as providing other health benefits, too.

Pain relief

It’s widely known that many people use hemp oil as a natural form of relief from pain – especially chronic pain – and to treat inflammation. For these people, this treatment doesn’t appear to be just a natural alternative to prescription and/ or over-the-counter medication, but a more effective and satisfying form of pain treatment and, as you’d expect, these adherents are adamant it helps them.

However, so far, research results are yet to truly catch up with this anecdotal evidence. Undeniably positive results in this area have been recorded, which is good news, for sure, but it does come from scientific tests on mice. So, more research on human subjects needs to be undertaken here.

Skin health benefits

Regarded as highly nutritious and, because of this, naturally helpful for skin health, hemp oil owes this reputation to its lipid profile, which features many vitamins, healthful oils and fatty acids. These ingredients mean its advocates believe it can nourish and protect skin from inflammation, oxidation and ageing effects, in general.

Brain health support

Hemp oil might be additionally good for brain health. This most significant of the body’s organs requires a high number of health-giving fats to do all the work it does (that is, running the body).

Another mice-focused study has found that hemp seed extract, with all its useful active compounds (such as polyphenols) and fatty acids, is capable of providing the brain with protection against inflammation. Again, however, one may suggest more research needs to be carried out here on human subjects.

Heart health help

Finally, it may also be true that hemp oil is beneficial for heart health. The results of one study suggest its nutrient profile might well provide a positive effect for the likes of high blood pressure and high levels atherosclerosis and cholesterol.

Meanwhile, another scientific review found that the more alpha-linoleic acid (one of hemp oil’s many fatty acids) there is present in the body, the more unlikely it is cardiovascular disease might develop.

Hemp oil supplements

As the above points make clear, then, specific scientific testing has been carried out to ascertain different areas of health that hemp oil may benefit and many advocates definitely believe it can provide aid in these areas; certainly, scientific studies have reaped positive, if limited, results. In which case, hemp oil is an increasingly popular source for boosting good natural health (especially pain and inflammation relief) – and supplementation has become one of the most popular forms of consumable hemp oil.

Advocates and the curious, therefore, may well be interested to learn that a particularly high-quality and high-strength hemp oil supplement has been developed and released by Higher Nature – and is now available through us at The Finchley Clinic.

This legal and thoroughly safe, advanced, broad-spectrum Hemp Oil (10ml/ 10% strength) comprises phytocannabinoids (CBD) and is flavoured with a delicious peppermint taste. It’s entirely naturally sourced, with its hemp oil base extracted from the cannabis plant via the well-recognised CO2 method for the best possible quality ingredients and best possible results. Indeed, we believe this new, high-strength Hemp Oil from Higher Nature may well prove a good partner product with Omega 3 Fish Oil Capsules, Lemon Fish Oil or Organic Flax Seed Oil (all of which, like hemp oil, are great sources for fatty acids, such as linoleic acid).

So, why not try it (and partner it with one of these other supplements) and let us know what you think? We’d be delighted to hear how you get on…

How well do you know your thyroid? Like it or not, if the answer is not that well, you’re probably unaware of what happens when it’s not working properly and how that can make you ill.

A small gland that, shaped like a butterfly, is to be found at the front of the neck (near the Adam’s apple), the thyroid is a significant part of the endocrine system; the system in the human body that’s made up of different glands. For its part, the thyroid is responsible for producing and secreting the T4 and T3 hormones, which together work to regulate growth, development and metabolism.

To be more specific, T4 and T3 work by informing the body’s cells when to convert oxygen and calories into energy. Of all the hormones awash in your body produced by the thyroid, 80 percent of them are T4, so while there’s far less T3 about, it’s actually a more powerful form of the thyroid hormone.

So much for T4 and T3; yet neither can perform their critical work unless they’re created and secreted by the thyroid, in the first place. And, for that to happen, the gland requires the body to consume the right nutrients, such as the all-important chemical that’s iodine – which is why a good, healthy, nutritious diet is important and perhaps, too, thyroid-health-focused supplementation.

How your thyroid can be disrupted

When, like the endocrine system’s other glands (and, indeed, other parts of the body), the thyroid isn’t aided in by you consuming nutrition and vitamins, its work is most susceptible to disruption. In particular, the thyroid’s efforts to regulate processes like growth, development and reproduction get interfered with because its hormones’ work as chemical messengers in the body is disrupted – often due to the sabotaging efforts of chemicals referred to as endocrine disruptors.

And, don’t doubt it, endocrine disruptors are very bad news. The likes of dioxins, pesticides and PCBs, they’re past-masters at blocking, altering or even mimicking the production of hormones, causing hormone secretion levels either to spike or plummet and, therefore, potentially resulting in on a roster of development, reproductive, neurological and immune disorders, including birth defects and possibly even cancer.

Unfortunately, you can consume endocrine disruptors from practically anywhere; they’re ubiquitous in all the environments of our modern world. Because, as mentioned, they tend to come in the form of dioxins, PCBs and pesticides, these chemicals can be traced to a plethora of common products we use and keep in our homes, such as cosmetics, food containers, household chemicals, plastics and plastic bottles.

And yet, although it’s difficult to manage your environment so it’s satisfyingly free of endocrine disruptors, there’s no question that inadequate nutrition can also result in thyroid concerns – and that’s definitely something you can successfully address through good diet and/ or thyroid supplements.

Thyroid disorders to be aware of

There are several different disorders associated with the thyroid:

• Hypothyroidism – occurs when an underactive thyroid isn’t making sufficient amounts of T4 and T3; symptoms can include brittle hair and fingernails; constipation; depression; fatigue and weakness; hair loss; heavy or irregular menstrual cycles; hoarseness; increased sensitivity to cold; joint and muscle pain; puffy face, hands and feet; slow heart rate; weight gain

• Hyperthyroidism – not to be confused with the aforementioned hypothyroidism, especially as this condition is its opposite, it’s effectively an overactive thyroid gland; symptoms can include frequent bowel movements and diarrhoea; goitre (see below); hair loss; heart palpitations; high blood pressure; increased appetite; irregular menstrual cycles; reduced concentration; nervousness; sweating and increased sensitivity to heat; protruding, itchy eyes; restlessness and insomnia; weight loss

• Goitre – an enlargement of the thyroid gland, often leading to swelling in the neck; goitres often occur due to iodine deficiency, the thyroid increasing in size to try and capture as much iodine as it can

• Graves’ disease – an autoimmune disorder that forces the body’s immune system to mistakenly identify the thyroid as an alien entity, attacking it with antibodies; most common in women over 20 years-old and a major cause of hyperthyroidism

• Thyroiditis – an inflammation of the thyroid, often occurring because of a viral infection, trauma, immune disorder or a drug-related cause; usually painful

• Thyroid cancer – the endocrine system’s most likely-to-develop cancer and rates of thyroid cancer are growing; fortunately, though, cases tend to develop slowly, so are often detected early and can be treated, ensuring survival rates are good.

Thyroid health supplements

So, to help a thyroid stay in tip-top condition is surely in everyone’s best interests. In which case, we’re only too happy, here at The Finchley Clinic, to introduce you to the Thyroid Health Kit, a carefully crafted 60-day plan to naturally enhance and help take care of your thyroid function, which features three critical nutrient components and – for added peace of mind – comes complete with a one-year-money-back guarantee.

To ensure it can help deliver more energy, increased sharpness and less ‘brain fog’, improved sleep and a more balanced metabolism, the Thyroid Health Kit includes:

• B12 Tri-Blend – a blend of the three most bioactive forms of Vitamin B12; people who suffer with an underactive thyroid may well also be B12-deficient

• Selenium​​​​​​​ – required by the thyroid to generate and secrete T4 and T3, selenium is also needed by the body to produce antioxidant enzymes for thyroid protection

• Detoxadine – an organic, nascent form of iodine that’s great for nourishing the thyroid and encouraging a normal hormone balance in the body.

As is true with so many products you come across, not all supplements are produced to the same standard. But, then, to look at this fact more positively, you might say it’s because some products are improved on. Such is the case with Optibac Probiotics For Every Day EXTRA Strength, which is fantastic news for enthusiasts of probiotics and those who are yet to learn and benefit from the fantastic work probiotics can do for their intestinal tract, their immune system and their overall health and wellbeing.

Good gut health is all about balance. To reverse the damage done to the intestinal tract by ‘bad bacteria’ through a combination of bad diet, toxins, stress and long-term use of antibiotics, it’s important to turn to the one thing that can bring peace by banishing these harmful gut organisms and, thus, establish balance – it’s important to turn to probiotics. Thanks to their symbiotic relationship with the body, they balance the gut by detoxifying the substances you’ve consumed and ingested, and so generate a healthy microbiome in gut; made up of a varied microbiota.

Probiotics are the answer

How? Well, due to the presence of an increasing number of probiotics (owing to the body’s owner keeping to a course of probiotic supplements), the digestive system’s able to reactivate its live bacteria with the probiotics’ ‘good bacteria’ – to counter its pathogens (‘bad bacteria’) – with the former quickly setting to work and colonising the gut over the latter.

To that end then, turning to the market-leading, gluten-free and dairy-free Optibac Probiotics could well do your overall health a good deal of benefit. Especially if you combine Opitbac’s For Every Day EXTRA Strength capsules with Optibac’s Saccharomyces boulardii probiotics, both of which are available from us at The Finchley Clinic. And that’s because these two highly recommended, well-reviewed supplements could blend together as a potential solution for gut-based complaints, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). After all, given it’s the centre-point of your immune system, when your gut’s not well, neither can be the rest of your body.

Extra Strength – extra ingredients

Each capsule of Optibac Probiotics For Every Day EXTRA Strength contains the following bacteria strains and additional ingredients:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM
• Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37
• Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07
• Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04
• Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb-02
• Its other ingredients include:
• Micro-crystalline cellulose (filler)
• Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (capsule)
• Titanium dioxide (capsule)
• Vegetable magnesium stearate (anti-caking agent)
• Silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent)

(Optibac claims each capsule comprises 20 billion micro-organisms)

Meanwhile, each Optibac Probiotics Saccharomyces boulardii capsule contains the following bacteria strains and additional ingredients:

• Saccharomyces boulardii (250mg)
• Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (capsule)
• Potato starch (filler)
• Magnesium stearate (lubricant)
• Silicon dioxide (an anti-adherent)

(Optibac claims each capsule comprises 5 billion live cultures)

How do these probiotic supplements help gut health?

As noted above, these two types of probiotics are regarded for their positive effects when taken for intestinal conditions. Research studies have shown that some of the bacteria strains in Optibac’s Saccharomyces boulardii may help prevent flare-ups of Crohn’s disease and so aid a sufferer in controlling the condition, as well as act an effective agent in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, maybe even helping to push the condition into remission.

Moreover, the bacteria strain Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, to be found in For Every Day EXTRA Strength capsules, may well deliver positive results for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A study has discovered the strain helps IBS sufferers in several different ways – such as reduced bloating (73%), passing less wind (54%), less abdominal pain/ fewer cramps (62%), and reduced diarrhoea (62%) and constipation (54%).

And can they help with hayfever?

Finally, it might surprise you; but, yes, it does appear For Every Day EXTRA Strength capsules may not just help to balance the microbiome, improve immunity and safeguard general health – but also, possibly, help treat hayfever for those allergic to pollen. Results from a clinical trial suggest the probiotic reduced symptoms of nasal irritation among those allergic to birch tree pollen, which isn’t to be (ahem) sniffed at, given the fact one fifth of people in the United States, alone, are allergic to this particular pollen. 

All in all, then, there’s many a good reason to seriously consider purchasing Optibac Probiotics For Every Day EXTRA Strength (combined with Optibac Saccharomyces boulardii) – it may do you a lot of good in the pollen-packed spring and summer months and, frankly for the good of your gut and body, any time of the year.

Inflammation… what do you think of when you read that word? A minor cut from a sharp object? A bump on the head? A rash from an insect bite? If so, you’re certainly thinking along the right lines; yet, there’s another lesser known type of inflammation, too – one that takes place inside the body. It’s not usually accompanied with pain, but it can do you real damage. This, though, is where an anti-inflammatory diet can help. How? Read on…

What exactly is inflammation?

Of course, inflammation isn’t always bad for the body; far from it. That’s because, as noted above, inflammation is often a reaction to an injury generated by the immune system – or, likewise, that system’s reaction to an allergy or bacteria. In general terms, when it occurs to help combat a short-term concern like this (acute inflammation), it serves a good, important purpose. It’s when it lingers inside (chronic inflammation) that it’s bad news because it can reduce the body’s overall immunity and cause damage to your body.

How will an anti-inflammatory diet help you?

Because inflammation’s directly related to immunity, it has direct connectivity to the digestive tract; for it’s here where the body’s microbiome (the ‘healthy’ bacteria and other micro-organisms that play a critical role in the regulation of the immune system) actually reside. This means then, a poor diet can very quickly trigger an unnecessary inflammatory response, given that – obviously – what’s in your diet winds up in your digestive tract faster than it does practically anywhere else in the body.

Conversely, a healthy, balanced diet will only aid your body in its tireless work to thrive and so, naturally, help boost your immunity. So, a diet balanced with the likes of  omega-3 fatty acids (which help regulate inflammation) and omega-6 fatty acids (which serve to stimulate inflammation), in addition to getting exercise, good sleep, drinking water and trying to reduce your stress levels, ought to aid the normalisation of inflammation.

Recommended anti-inflammatory foods

Ideally, an anti-inflammatory diet may well share many characteristics with a plant-based Mediterranean diet, the likes of which research suggests can extend your life and improve its quality. Studies, too, show that many vegetarians and vegans enjoy less inflammation, as well as less risk developing heart disease.

When following such a diet, though, try not to overdo carbohydrates (not least sugar) because these might just tip your hormonal balance, which might spur on inflammation. Experts in inflammation often agree on the ‘40-30-30 rule’ when it comes to diet: 40 percent complex carbohydrates, 30 percent low-fat protein and 30 percent healthy fats:

• Fruits and vegetables – boldly colourful, non-starchy vegetables and fresh fruits are highly advised because they’re rich in antioxidants (which help the immune system combat free radicals and prevent inflammation), such as dark leafy greens (collards, kale and spinach), cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower), root vegetables (rutabaga and sweet potatoes) and garlic, onions, peppers and tomatoes.

Fruit-wise, try to concentrate on berries (blackberries, blueberries, cranberries and raspberries), citrus fruits (lemons, limes and oranges), stone fruits (avocados, cherries, nectarines, olives and plums) and pome fruits (apples, pears and quinces).

• Gluten-free whole grains – these deliver the double-whammy that’s antioxidants and fibre, while it’s believed they also aid the rise in the body of the C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker; aim for the likes of barley, buckwheat, brown rice, oats and quinoa.

• Nuts and seeds – monounsaturated fat features highly in both, as well as heart-healthy fibre; go for almonds, cashews, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and unsalted walnuts.

• Herbs and spices – these contain many antioxidants; turmeric is particularly potent because it comprises curcumin, which is excellent for helping to normalise redness and swelling.

Inflammatory foods to avoid

Conversely, important foods to avoid are:

• Processed food – usually low in nutrients and fibre, the likes of chips, white bread, pasta, boxed breakfast cereals and frozen dinners tend to be high in omega-6 fats (not good without omega-3 fats because, on their own, they encourage inflammation; see above), as well saturated fats, trans fats and added sugars.

• Sugar – because it causes the body to release cytokines (chemical messengers that wake up the immune system), sugar can help generate systemic swelling in the body; so try to avoid cakes, cookies, ice cream, sodas, sweets and sweet tea, as well as chemical sweeteners and natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup.

• Fried food – most often fried in unhealthy oils, these contain inflammation-triggering saturated fats and trans fats; steer clear then of the likes of snack foods and doughnuts.

Inflammation supplements

Obviously, the above list you’re advised to buy from, for an anti-inflammatory diet, is full of very specific foods. Now, that’s all very well and good but, as we all know, it’s not always easy – sometimes next to impossible – to get your hands on very particular foods on every supermarket shop. What to do instead? Well, naturally-derived, anti-inflammatory supplements may well be something you want to take a look at. We advise you check out our ‘Pain and Inflammation’ products page for exactly this sort of supplement; examples of what you’ll find there, which we highly recommend, are:

Very high-strength Serrapeptase (1,000,000iu/ 90 capsules) – a natural supplement form of the powerful anti-inflammatory enzyme Serrapeptase, it could well prove useful for post-traumatic swelling and fibrocystic breast disease and bronchitis, as well as for balancing fluid levels and for muscle- and joint-health.

Liposomal Curcumin C3 Complex (250ml) – comprises a blend of curcuminoids, not just curcumin; in addition to reducing inflammation (see above), it may well soothe and support the gut’s lining, support immunity and maintain prostate wellness.

MSM Powder (1,000g) – important not just for collagen generation and cartilage formation, MSM helps to maintain joint and muscle health and may also aid the immune system and so keep inflammation in check.