All posts by Eleanor Wilson

Antioxidants, MegaHydrate, MegaHydrate Powder

MegaHydrate: the mega antioxidant supplement

Over the past few decades it’s been drilled into us just how important it is to make sure we’re hydrated. Now, we tend to think this means making sure we don’t feel thirsty and have enough water in our bodies to sate a potential lack of H2O. But you probably weren’t aware of the importance of making sure the individual cells of your body are properly hydrated, were you? This is where MegaHydrate comes in.

An excellent and, therefore, popular supplement, MegaHydrate boasts one of the highest antioxidant potentials on the planet. It was created specifically to boost cellular hydration by reducing the surface tension of water within the body, which really means hydrating the cells in the body. The science behind enables a more efficient elimination of toxins and metabolic by-products on a very specific level within the cells – as well as a boost in the delivery of nutrients to the cells.

In fact, MegaHydrate (which is not only available at The Finchley Clinic but, at present, on special offer through us) is claimed to be more than one hundred times more potent than many plant-based antioxidant sources – including the likes of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, green tea extract, and grape seed extract. How so? Well, containing as it does silica hydride, MegaHydrate has something of a secret weapon, for that appears to be the only antioxidant compound that doesn’t transform into a pro-oxidant after donating its electrons, instead combining with other hydrogen atoms to form a harmless gas or with oxygen and hydrogen to form water.

 

Brilliant benefits

So much for the science, but what about MegaHydrate’s benefits? What specifically does it do for your body…?

  • Boosts negatively-charged hydrogen ions – as a super-concentrated source of these ions, MegaHydrate has a very low oxidation reduction potential (ORP). A low ORP means that the antioxidant is extremely likely to donate electrons and act as a more potent free-radical quencher.

 

  • Could slow ageing – because of its hydration capacities, MegaHydrate may increase moisture in all body parts, giving us a more youthful, vital appearance. This also means that the hair, skin and fingernails may seem more lustrous and shiny.

 

  • Drives up absorption of hydrating elements – MegaHydrate was developed to offer the same benefits as the waters found in high elevation regions of the world. In some elevated areas of places such as Pakistan, Ecuador and Germany, people seem to live longer and with a better quality of life well into 100 years of age. This is because of the water structure of the frozen glacier water of these regions of the world. MegaHydrate mimics these waters in both its structure and health effects. This form of water does not have to work to be absorbed by our cells, but enters into them easily, allowing quicker hydration and nutrient uptake. Good things move into our cells easier, and toxicants also move out easier.

 

  • Counteracts caffeine and alcohol – We may be unaware of it, but caffeine overload can lead to anxiety, insomnia, dehydration, stress, dizziness and headaches. MegaHydrate can help counteract the negative consequences associated with excessive caffeine and alcohol intake.

 

  • Improves negatively-charged ion levels – negative ions have been shown to boost our sense of well-being and overall health. Hydrogen ions are key to the body’s energy balance. Without enough hydrogen ions from the plants and water we take in, the cells cannot effectively counteract the creation of free radicals in the body, leading to cellular damage and potentially shorter cell life.

 

  • Promotes the ‘zeta potential’ – through its principle ingredient, silica hydride, MegaHydrate augments what scientists call “zeta potential” in our blood cells. This compound boosts the charge, as well as stability and space between the blood cells. With more zeta potential, we get more surface area for blood cells. More surface area in these cells allows more room for toxicants such as bacteria, fungus, viruses and pollutants to be expelled. Cleansing waters can reach our cells better due to the increased surface potentials. Studies confirm this heightened zeta response in cells upon taking MegaHydrate.

 

  • Improves total antioxidant levels – studies show that one serving provides more antioxidant content than many of the popular superfoods: including wheat grass, green tea, leafy greens and other vegetable and fruit juices. Heightened antioxidant activity may be a key factor in promoting a multitude of health benefits such as longevity, better memory, better energy levels, improved sight and hearing and reduced chances for chronic disease development.

 

  • Delivers oxygen – the negative hydrogen atoms in MegaHydrate push cells apart, instead of drawing them together. This spaciousness increases fluidity in the lymph system and pulls more oxygen into cells. It also has been found to aid the liver in toxin removal.

 

MegaHydrate – something of an anti-ageing pill, it’s a supplement that’s undoubtedly one of the most powerful antioxidant supplements available anywhere in the world, thanks to being as much as 800 percent more effective than other known products or foods; an amazing remedy for anti-ageing and boosting energy levels throughout the body.

MegaHydrate (Powder) – the same great supplement as the standard above version, only in powder- not, capsule-form; indeed, for those requiring a higher dosage, Megahydrate powder works out much better value for money than the capsules.

Aloe Fuzion, Aloe Gold Natural, Banderol, Immune health

Help your body protect you: how to boost your immune system

The immune system’s a wonderful thing – it’s your body’s very own built-in protection system. It fights the good fight against a plethora of harmful organisms and toxic chemicals that you consume thanks to the food you eat, the water you drink and the air you breathe in. And yet, to do this to its maximum potential, to keep your body as safe as it can, it needs you to properly support it so it can function to its optimum level. How? Well, the following are all ways in which you’d be wise to invest time and effort to aid your immune system:

    • Eating healthily – some foods steal energy and destroy your immune system. Foods to avoid include processed foods and those with unnatural chemicals like added flavourings, refined sugars, and neurotoxins like MSG. Avoid soda, which is one of the top five foods that destroy your immune system. Instead, look for organic fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants, B vitamins and vitamins A, C, and D. Some excellent choices are blueberries, garlic, kale, broccoli, spinach, lemons, eggplant, pomegranate, and avocado. For fruits and vegetables, it’s important to buy organic. If organic isn’t available, give your fruits and veggies a good scrub to eliminate removable residue. Raw, vegan foods are ideal, but if you do choose a vegan lifestyle, make sure to include extra B12 in your diet.

 

  • Getting exercise – yes, that’s right; exercise is one of the best methods to boost immune system vitality. It improves your overall health, increases oxygen intake and lung capacity, and gets your metabolism going. On top of that, it promotes a healthy heart and good circulation. Find the best exercise routine for your lifestyle; keep in mind that consistency is a must.

 

  • Stress management – stress does more than make you anxious or angry, it aggravates your immune system and increases inflammation. Look for ways to reduce stress at home and at work. One way to avoid stress is by not holding onto problems. Get it out, talk to someone who will listen. Meditation is another great way to manage stress and can help you reach mind and body harmony and mental discipline.

 

  • Nutritional support – even natural foods do not provide all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we need. Over-farming, fertilizers, and pesticides have drained much of the nutrient content from the land. As organic farming picks up, nutrients will return, but it will take time. But, even before the soil was depleted of nutrients, alternative health practitioners recognized that people needed herbs and tonics to supplement their diet and support their health and immune system, especially as they aged. Here are a few of the best.

 

  • Echinacea – traditional medicines have used Echinacea for centuries and research indicates it supports a healthy immune response and helps fight off colds and flu.

 

  • Oregano oil – a study by the Georgetown University Medical Center reported oregano oil was great for fighting off harmful organisms.

 

  • Ginseng – this adaptogen helps the body respond to stress and keeps your immune system functioning normally.

 

  • Lemon – high in vitamin C, lemon is one of the most potent fruits you can take to fight illness. Many people recommend taking the juice of one half lemon in a cup of warm water every morning to encourage good health.

 

  • Garlic – studies show people who eat garlic regularly have fewer colds than those who don’t.

 

  • Probiotics – friendly bacteria, aka probiotics, help keep harmful organisms from taking hold. Studies suggest two of the best strains are Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.

 

Alternative ways to help the immune system

In recent years, researchers have taken special interest in aloe vera. Studies show some aloe species contain two powerful substances that help the immune system – acemannan and aloctin A. The active components in aloe vera fight harmful organisms and have antioxidant effects that protect cells from damage. Aloe Fuzion – a high-quality immunity boost supplement, as well as the other following products, is available through The Finchley Clinic:

Aloe Fuzion – a highly concentrated formula that contains the most bio-available, certified-organic aloe with the highest amount of acemannan made today. Acemannan is the active ingredient that supports the immune system, soothes irritation, and encourages a healthy gut environment. Aloe Fuzion is aloin free and does not act as a harsh laxative, unlike many whole leaf aloe products.

Aloe Gold Natural – rich in sulphur and 200 other nutrients, it helps to maintain healthy digestion, provides important nutrients to the cells lining the gut and helps maintain healthy skin and immune function.

Banderol – this supplement may not just help support the immune system but can also be used for candida management and microbial defence; also used by people with Lyme disease and the co-infections associated with it.

Men’s health, Prostrex

Men’s health matters: diet and supplement tips for good prostate health

Sadly, it’s a common problem; too many men aren’t proactive in taking care of their health, not least when it comes to their prostates. A compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland that’s part of the male reproductive system, its specific role is to secrete a milky white fluid into semen, which seems like a simple enough job, but of course, the prostate gland is notoriously associated with poor male health, especially cancer (indeed, in developed countries it’s estimated that as much as three percent of elderly men die from prostate cancer every year).

Fair dos then, it’s imperative that men look after their bodies – especially their prostates (checking in the region regularly for any abnormalities is essential) – and this is often recommended in the form of good, regular exercise. Additionally, though, diet comes into play here. For instance, did you know that consuming a number of different herbs can aid male-specific health; in particular, prostate health, vitality and sex drive? The following are all good examples then of prostate health foods:

 

  • Pine Bark – relied on as a natural therapy by civilisations from different eras and it’s no surprise too, as recently it’s been discovered pine bark not only supports prostate health1, but more specifically, may promote ‘desirable sexual response’ and accentuate both quantity and quality of sperm2

 

  • Pumpkin seed – particularly rich in prostate health-supporting minerals like iron, potassium and zinc, pumpkin seeds (thanks too to their antioxidant qualities) are, thus, great for the prostate; indeed, a study suggests that pumpkin seed extract may help urine to flow normally among men suffering with enlarged prostates3

 

  • Pygeum bark – to aid normal, painless urination, it’s important to try and return an enlarged prostate to its normal size, something (according to several studies) chemical compounds found in pygeum bark may well be able to help with4

 

  • Saw Palmetto – it’s believed that Native American societies relied on this herb to specifically benefit their urinary and reproductive health, which makes sense because research suggests it could inhibit enzymes in the body from nefariously acting to enlarge the prostate5 and it may contribute to ensuring testosterone levels remain balanced and normal

 

  • Smartweed – a terrific source of antioxidants (in order to protect all parts of the body from free radicals)6; research also suggests that smartweed supports good prostate health and soothes tissues to help decrease their swelling7

 

  • Stinging nettle – for children, stinging nettles are potentially painful plants to be avoided, yet their many nutritional benefits have long been understood to be of significant value, not least for prostate glands and urinary tracts8; indeed, chemicals in nettles can prove useful in discouraging testosterone to transform into the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone, which contributes to prostate enlargement

 

  • Turmeric – popular with millions of people for its high volume of antioxidants (great for fighting the activity of harmful free radicals in cells); research also suggests turmeric may aid urinary health in those with a history of prostate issues9.

 

Prostate health supplements

So, be in no doubt about it, the prostate gland is like any other part of the male body; it requires consideration, attention and care to maintain its normal functioning and good health. As noted then, whether via consumption of the likes of the above herbs or any prostate-favouring nutritious foods, the most natural way to go about this is through a sustainable, sensible, balanced diet.

However, a bit of help from a reliable, easy-to-access source never goes amiss either and – to that end – you may well find the following naturally-occurring supplements (both available from The Finchley Clinic) are fine ways to get the nutritional value necessary to support and protect your prostate that your everyday diet presently lacks:

Prostrex – a blend of premium herbs (many of those mentioned above) to assist your body in regulating proper prostate balance; thus, helping men of all ages launch and maintain a natural, targeted approach to prostate and urinary tract health.

Saw Palmetto Complex – a synergistic mix of ingredients that aims to support healthy functioning of the prostate and urinary tract; comprising saw palmetto, as well as beta sitosterol, celery seed, l-alanine, l-glycine, lycopene, selenium, zinc and Vitamins A and B6.

 

References:

  1. Neuwirt H., Arias M. C. and Puhr M. ‘Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPC) exert anti-proliferative and pro­apoptotic effects on prostate cancer cell s’. Prostate. 2008 Nov 1; 68 (15): 1647­ 54. doi: 10.1002/pros.20829.
  2. Ledda A., Belcaro G. and Cesarone M. R. ‘Investigation of a complex plant extract for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction in a randomized, double-­blind, placebo-­controlled, parallel-­arm study’. BJU Int. 2010 Oct; 106 (7): 1030­3. doi: 10.1111/j.1464­410X.2010.09213.x.
  3. Hong H., Kim C. S. and Maeng S. ‘Effects of pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil in Korean men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia’. Nutr Res Pract. 2009 Winter; 3 (4): 323-7. doi: 10.4162/nrp.2009.3.4.323. Epub 2009 Dec 31.
  4. Wilt T., Ishani A. et al. ‘Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia’. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002; (1): CD001044. PMID: 11869585.
  5. Pais P. ‘Potency of a novel saw palmetto ethanol extract, SPET-085, for inhibition of 5alpha-reductase II’. Adv Ther. 2010 Aug; 27 (8): 555-63. doi:10.1007/s12325-010-0041-6. Epub 2010 Jul 10.
  6. Yang X., Wang B. C., Zhang X., Yang S. P., Li W., Tang Q. and Singh G. K. ‘Simultaneous determination of nine flavonoids in Polygonum hydropiper L. samples using nanomagnetic powder three-phase hollow fibre-based liquid-phase microextraction combined with ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry’. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2011 Jan 25; 54 (2): 311-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2010.08.026. Epub 2010 Sep 28.
  7. Yang Y., Yu T., Jang H. J., Byeon S. E., Song S. Y., Lee B. H., Rhee M. H., Kim T. W., Lee J., Hong S. and Cho J. Y. ‘In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of Polygonum hydropiper methanol extract’. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Jan 31; 139 (2): 616-25. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.003. Epub 2011 Dec 13.
  8. Tanagho E. R. and Mcaninch J. E. Smith’s general urology. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2008.
  9. Hejazi J., Rastmanesh R., Taleban F. A., Molana S. H. and Ehtejab G. ‘A Pilot Clinical Trial of Radioprotective Effects of Curcumin Supplementation in Patients with Prostate Cancer’. J Cancer Sci Ther 5: 320­324. doi: 10.4172/1948-5956.1000222.
Floratrex, Immune health, Probiotics

Floratrex: the ultimate probiotic solution?

How much do you know about your body’s intestinal tract – otherwise known as the gut? Are you aware, for instance, it’s naturally home to thousands of micro-organisms? So much so that, taken together, all these microscopic, living entities are referred to as the gut flora (or the gut microbiome)? Well, now you do – and it’s in your interest to be aware that it’s important for not just your intestinal health, but your overall body’s health that this gut flora (mostly made up of bacteria) achieves and retains a balance between ‘good bacteria’ and ‘bad bacteria’ – or, of course, that that mixture of bacteria is weighted in the favour of the ‘good’.

 

Powerful probiotics

Otherwise known as probiotics, these ‘good bacteria’ don’t just reside in the intestines, colon and stomach, but also the mouth, oesophagus and the naval cavity, which ensures they account for more than three pounds in weight (equal to the weight of your brain) in your body. Or, at least, they should do. You see, unlike ‘bad bacteria’, which can cause all sorts of problems throughout the body, probiotics can do all sorts of good, primarily because they absorb so many nutrients and play a pivotal role in converting them into energy for the body – the likes of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc, to name just a handful of them. No wonder your body needs as many of them as possible then.

More specifically, academic studies have, in recent years, underlined the importance of probiotics to general health. For instance, a 2007 study conducted at Duke University in the United States discovered that probiotics are generated by the appendix to contribute to the fight against harmful organisms in the body, while research conducted in 2004 found that colic among infants was reduced among those who consumed them. Plus, it’s believed that around 90 percent of autistic people may experience probiotic imbalance and another recent study recorded that probiotics, owing to their effect on neurotransmitters, may even be relied on by the brain to help control emotions and mood1.

 

Fantastic Floratrex

Increasing the number of probiotics in your intestinal system and throughout your body then is of undoubted importance. The most natural way to go about this, of course, is through a sensible, balanced, healthy diet, rich in foods that are packed full of probiotics. However, it’s only fair to say that for some people, ensuring they get enough of (the right) yoghurts, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut and dark chocolate isn’t particularly easy. Which is precisely why there’s a good number of probiotic supplements on the market – and one of the very best, not least because it’s so comprehensive, is Floratrex.

Boasting 50 billion colony forming units (CFUs; the unit that measures the viable number of fungal or bacteria cells per sample), Floratrex terrifically contributes to populating the digestive track with a vast blend of probiotics, as well as prebiotics (the food ingredients that actively induce the growth of beneficial bacteria). Developed by Dr Edward Group of the Global Healing Center, it’s a supplement that seeks to deliver customers a dynamic and large selection of good bacteria strains (as many as 23 separate ones) together in an all-in-one, full-spectrum, digestive and intestinal health probiotic formula – and it’s entirely suitable for vegetarians and vegans too. For all those reasons then, we’re only too happy to stock it at The Finchley Clinic and recognise the great supplement it is for all those looking to improve their gut flora.

 

What Floratrex can do for you

So, in a little more detail, the following are five excellent reasons why you should consider taking Floratrex:

  • Digestive support – the digestive system operates, machine-like, in a complex way, it’s aim being to convert the nutrients from the food you eat into energy for the body; probiotics plays a critical role in this process because they promote nutrient absorption, which means then, that a probiotic-packed supplement like Floratrex can be of substantial help in making sure your body develops the energy it needs and becomes and remains as healthy as possible

 

  • Improves immunity – believe it or not, that intangible-sounding entity in your body that’s the immune system majoritively resides in your gut (possibly more than 70 percent of it, in fact); this means that the intestinal tract is effectively the front-line of everyone’s immune system and, to that end, it’s probiotic levels have to be topped up to keep it in good shape

 

  • Promotes gut balance – as noted, full as it is with both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria, the gut requires as much help as it can get in ensuring the two kinds of bacteria are balanced out to keep hazardous micro-organisms at bay; Floratrex is tops, indeed, at replenishing the probiotics your gut needs for this

 

  • Magnificent mix – quite simply, one of the most advanced and comprehensive gut health supplements you’ll find anywhere, Floratrex is packed full of goodness for your gut; thanks to (yes) it’s 23 separate, hugely beneficial bacterial strains

 

In summary

Finally then, just to be clear, purchasing and regularly consuming Floratrex will enable and ensure:

  • The intestinal microbiome is boosted with 23 of the most beneficial probiotic strains

 

  • the optimisation and balancing of your intestinal flora

 

  • the aiding of nutrient absorption and synthesis of B Vitamins

 

  • the promotion of normalised digestion and the processing of hard-to-digest foods

 

  • immune system cells in the intestinal tract can be properly supported

 

  • bowel regularity is encouraged and maintained

 

  • further population of the gut flora without the need to turn to dairy, gluten, soy or wheat through an entirely vegan-friendly formula delivered via easy-to-swallow capsules.

 

Reference:

  1. Bravo J. A., Forsythe P., Chew M. V., Escaravage E., Savignac H. M., Dinan T. G., Bienenstock J. and Cryan J. F. ‘Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve’. PNAS. 2011 September. 108 (38) 16050-16055. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1102999108.

 

MegaHydrate, MegaHydrate Powder

MegaHydrate: boosting hydration and eradicating free radicals from your cells

You’ve no doubt heard of the importance of making sure your body’s rich in antioxidants (via eating highly healthy foods or taking specific supplements), given their ability to combat and eradicate the hugely harmful toxins known as ‘free radicals’ from the body. But among all the ways to ensure you get a high concentration of antioxidants, what’s the actual best way to go about it?

Well, have you ever heard of MegaHydrate? This naturally-derived, non-synthetic supplement is specifically manufactured to be one of the most effective antioxidant sources on the planet – which means it’s likely to help deliver a variety of significant health benefits.

And what makes MegaHydrate so potent is that it’s more than 100 times as powerful and, thus, effective at eliminating free radicals than simple plant-derived antioxidants like the Vitamins C and E and grape seed and green tea extracts (although, of course, MegaHydrate is a naturally-derived and non-synthetic supplement itself).

Indeed, the people behind the supplement put, to a large extent, MegaHydrate’s impressiveness down to two things. First, it’s a highly-concentrated source of negatively-charged hydrogen ions, ensuring its oxidation reduction potential (ORP) is low, which means it’s pretty much guaranteed to donate electrons within the body’s cells, thus, enhancing the fight against free radicals.

And, second, there’s the fact MegaHydrate contains the chemical silica hydride; the manufacturers claim this is the only antioxidant compound in existence that doesn’t seek to become a pro-oxidant following the donating of its electrons as it does its all-important work. Instead, it merges with other hydrogen-based atoms to create a gas that’s totally harmless or with hydrogen and oxygen atoms to simply produce water. As such, in no way could it be said to contribute to oxidisation in cells, following completion of its antioxidation work; all in all, then, ensuring it’s a highly effective antioxidant.

 

MegaHydrate benefits

In more detail then, for those who purchase and use MegaHydrate regularly, it can afford them the following health benefits:

  • May help slow down ageing – owing to its advanced hydration properties, the supplement’s likely to increase moisture throughout the body, resulting in a healthier, more youthful appearance on the outside; not least for skin, hair and fingernails

 

  • Enables faster hydration in cells – the waters in streams, rivers and lakes located in high elevated areas around the globe, such as Ecuador, Pakistan and the Alpine region of Europe, are famed for their health benefits, the thinking being that these benefits are due to the specific structure of frozen glacier water; as such, MegaHydrate is specifically manufactured to mimic this water structure and reap its benefits because this ‘type’ of water doesn’t need to be absorbed into cells but seamlessly enters them, which enables rapid hydration, faster uptake of nutrients and quicker eradication of toxins in the cells

 

  • Boosts hydration among low water drinkers – as people age they tend to drink less water because they naturally lose the desire to do so as much; however, as ageing adults replace drinking water with tea, coffee, soda and energy drinks, they’re actually ensuring they became less hydrated and may encounter negative effects, something that MegaHydrate can obviously help redress

 

  • Increases oxygen content in cells – instead of driving cells together, MegaHydrate’s make-up of negative atoms pushes them apart, enabling more fluidity in the lymph system that results in more oxygen filling the body’s cells; this too has been noted to be able to help the liver in eradicating toxins

 

  • Combating the effects of caffeine and alcohol – the always popular tea and coffee are full of caffeine, yet this chemical’s a stimulant and liable not just to contribute to dehydration, but also bring on headaches and dizziness, as well as insomnia, anxiety and stress (in worst-case scenarios); MegaHydrate’s effective, though, in combating the effects that can be caused by high consumption of both caffeine and alcohol

 

  • Drives up zeta potential in cells – MegaHydrate’s singular among supplements in that it’s so effective in boosting the charge and stability within cells, as well as the space between blood cells (what’s called ‘zeta potential’), the result of which is there’s more surface area for blood cells and for the goodness from the supplement’s hydrating water, as well as more space to aid the exclusion of harmful toxins like bacteria, fungi, pollutants and viruses

 

  • Increases antioxidant levels – so potent are Megahydrate’s antioxidant properties that it’s possibly even better in this respect than superfoods like fruit juices, green tea, leafy vegetables and wheat grass; don’t doubt it, the importance of antioxidants and their free-radical-combating activities are underlined by the fact experts have linked them to improved energy, memory, sight and hearing and reduced likelihood of developing chronic disease

 

  • Preservative for juices – finally, MegaHydrate can also be deployed as a preservative when keeping fresh fruit and vegetable juices in the fridge; adding a mere, single capsule of the supplement to any juice should maintain the latter’s nutritional goodness (or ‘redox potential’) for as long as a week.

 

MegaHydrate supplements

So, where can you get your eager hands on MegaHydrate? Why, through us at The Finchley Clinic, of course. Indeed, the following three versions of the supplement are currently all available at special offer prices:

MegaHydrate – as noted, this naturally-derived, dietary supplement offers profound anti-ageing and energy boosting properties and, as an antioxidant, is claimed to be 800% more effective than other products and foods.

MegaHydrate Powder – a powder form of the supplement, which is actually better value for money than the original, as each bottle contains 50g compared to the 18g per bottle the above version offers

Crystal Energy – a great supplement that’s intimately associated with MegaHydrate and ideal to take along with it; by adding Crystal Energy to the water you drink, it will ensure the water actually alkalises the body, thus augmenting the hydrating and antioxidising effects of MegaHydrate.

Optibac Probiotics, Optibac Probiotics for Babies & Children, Probiotics

The power of probiotics: what can probiotics do for you?

It might be said that many things in life are about striking a balance and keeping them in harmony. In many ways, that’s true of your health too – not least your gut health. For, individually (and especially when they’re combined), the effect of toxins, a poor diet and stress on the digestive system is to seriously imbalance its order and cause you issues and problems. Fortunately, however, to combat these malignant forces in the gut, there are probiotics.

These micro-organisms are terrific at keeping the peace in the gut; restoring balance to it by driving out harmful toxins and other organisms that are such bad news. To be specific, a probiotic is either a type of living bacteria or yeast and healthy people carry around a great number of them within their bodies all the time. Neither harmful nor pathogenic, probiotics then enjoy symbiotic relationships with the human body (on the skin and in the mouth, nostrils and gut – the latter of which is home to more than 500 of them1). And, in terms of the gut, they play an absolutely critical role in creating the all-important microbiome there, featuring varied microbiota (or microflora), helping to ensure natural digestion, reliable immunity and good mental clarity.

 

Probiotic benefits

Going into more detail on just exactly why probiotics are so critical to the body then – and why they contribute so much to keeping it in balance and maintaining your good health – the following are all benefits delivered by probiotics when consumed either via foods rich in them or supplementary products:

  • Improve response from the immune system2

 

  • Reduce negative effects of taking antibiotics, such as diarrhoea3

 

  • Reduce irritation experienced in the gut after surgery3

 

  • Contribute to better-looking complexion and skin4

 

  • Encourage easier food and drink digestion6

 

  • Positively contribute to upper respiratory health7

 

  • Ease symptoms of lactose intolerance8

 

  • Aid better yeast balance in the gut and elsewhere in the body9

 

  • Promote good vaginal health10

 

  • Enable improved absorption of nutrients from consumed food and drink11

 

  • Support natural, normal bowel movements12

 

  • May improve oral health and help reduce halitosis (bad breath)13

 

  • Aid the body in synthesising B vitamins (separating them from food and using them)14, absorbing calcium15 and producing Vitamin K16.

 

Probiotic foods

So, armed with the knowledge of all the good consuming probiotics can do for you, as you now are, you’ll be wondering what the best sources for them actually are. Well, you’d be highly advised to try and work into your diet the following as often as possible:

  • Yoghurt – famed the world over as being a food that tends to be rich in probiotics (so long as it’s the right kind of yoghurt, of course), a healthy yoghurt takes some beating here; but, as nudged at, be careful, as too many yoghurts are sugar-rich so, instead, you ought to be aiming for those that contain almond, cashew, coconut or hemp ingredients17

 

  • Kefir – like yoghurt, this is a cultured dairy drink (if you didn’t already know); in addition to being packed with probiotics, kefir also features Vitamins B12 and K, calcium, folate, magnesium, phosphorous and thiamine18

 

  • Kimchi – the great thing is that kimchi, being a traditional Korean side dish comprising fermented vegetables, features a fantastic combo of cabbage, garlic, ginger, onion, radish and red pepper, thus making it a genuine superfood; this means that it’s not just bursting with probiotics and antioxidants, but also Vitamin C, the B vitamins, beta-carotene, calcium, dietary fibre, iron and potassium19.

 

Special offer probiotics

As mentioned above, it’s possible to boost your probiotic intake through naturally-derived, organic supplements as well, so should you find it difficult to work the likes of the above probiotic-rich foods into your diet, this may well be an appealing route to go. The following – all of them currently on special offer – are available (as are more) through us at The Finchley Clinic:

Optibac Probiotics for Every Day EXTRA Strength (90 capsules) – contains 20 billion live micro-organisms in each daily dose, including five probiotic strains, ensuring it supports overall digestive health, immunity and energy.

Optibac Probiotics for Women (90 capsules) – clinically trialled by over 2,500 women, this version of Optibac Probiotics contains the micro-organisms L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14, which may help treat thrush, cystitis, and bacterial vaginosis; safe and appropriate for women experiencing menopause, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Optibac Probiotics for Babies & Children (90 sachets) – ideal for children and infants (specifically for their digestion and natural defences), as well as women during pregnancy; contains three probiotics that highly important for young children’s health: acidophilus, B. infantis and bifidum.

 

References

  1. Bengmark, S. ‘Ecological control of the gastrointestinal tract.’ The role of probiotic flora Gut (1998): 42:2-7.
  2. Cunningham-Rundles S., Ahrne S. and Bengmark, S. ‘Probiotics and immune response’. Am. J. Gastroenterol (2000): 95:22–25.
  3. D’ Souza A. L., Rajkumar C., Cooke J. and Bulpitt C. J. ‘Probiotics in prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhoea: meta-analysis’. BMJ (2002): 324-1361.
  4. Stavrou G. and Kotzampassi K. ‘Gut microbiome, surgical complications and probiotics’. Ann Gastroenterol (2017): 45-53.
  5. Al-Ghazzewi, F. H. and Tester R. F. ‘Impact of prebiotics and probiotics on skin health’. Beneficial Microbes (2014): 99-107.
  6. Syngai G. G., et al. ‘Probiotics – the Versatile Functional Food Ingredients’. Journal of Food Science and Technology (2016): 921–933.
  7. Strasser B., Geiger D., Schauer M. et al. ‘Probiotic Supplements Beneficially Affect Tryptophan-Kynurenine Metabolism and Reduce the Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial’. Nutrients. (2016): 8-11.
  8. Corgneau M., Scher J., Ritié-Pertusa L. et al. ‘Recent Advances on Lactose Intolerance: Tolerance Thresholds and Currently Available Solutions’. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. (2015).
  9. Bao Y., Al K. F., Chanyi R. M. et al. ‘Questions and challenges associated with studying the microbiome of the urinary tract’. Ann Transl Med. (2017): 5 (2): 33.
  10. Reid G. ‘The development of probiotics for women’s health’. Can J Microbiol. (2016).
  11. Krajmalnik-Brown R., Zehra-Esra I., Dae-Wook K. and Dibaise J. K. ‘Effects of Gut Microbes on Nutrient Absorption and Energy Regulation’. Nutrition in Clinical Practice 27.2 (2012): 201-14.
  12. Sebastián Domingo J. J. ‘Review of the role of probiotics in gastrointestinal diseases in adults’. Gastroenterol Hepatol. (2017).
  13. Janczarek M., Bachanek T., Mazur E. and Chałas R. ‘The role of probiotics in prevention of oral diseases’. Postepy Hig Med Dosw. (2016): 70: 850-7.
  14. Capozzi V., Russo P., Dueñas M. T., López P. and Spano G. ‘Lactic acid bacteria producing B-group vitamins: a great potential for functional cereals products’. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. (2012). 96 (6): 1383-94.
  15. Scholz-Ahrens K. E., Ade P., Marten B. et al. ‘Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics affect mineral absorption, bone mineral content, and bone structure’. J Nutr. (2007): 137.
  16. Zhang Y. J., Li S., Gan R. Y., Zhou T., Xu D. P. and Li H. B. ‘Impacts of gut bacteria on human health and diseases’. Int J Mol Sci. (2015): 493-519.
  17. Guinane C. M. and Cotter P. D. ‘Role of the Gut Microbiota in Health and Chronic Gastrointestinal Disease: Understanding a Hidden Metabolic Organ’. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology 6.4 (2013): 295–308.
  18. Moore S. ‘Everything You Need to Know about Yogurt’. Moore Family Center Blog. Oregon State University, 2014 5 Nov.
  19. Brooks A. ‘Kimchi, the Korean Superfood’. Eat Smart Move More. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2014 9 May.

 

Antioxidants, MegaHydrate, MegaHydrate Powder

Anti-ageing ideas that work: how to keep your body as young as possible

Anti-ageing. It’s a wonderful phrase, isn’t it? It sounds mystical in a way; almost magical. Something that’s illogical and oh-so difficult to attain. But then, it depends on how you look at it. Because, of course, if you’re thinking of something along the lines of some sort of silver bullet that stops your body from ageing at all, then you really are in the realms of magic and fantasy.

Yet, in far more realistic terms, anti-ageing refers to the efforts that effective habits can contribute to you slowing the rate of ageing (or, to be bluntly precise, the rate of decline) of your body as you age. And that means adopting such habits as regular, decent physical exercise and a healthy diet based around natural, organic food.

Yes, to that end then, as you age you really are only as healthy as the food you eat. To wit, the following are all anti-ageing foods you should be looking to incorporate into your diet, at the very least.

 

Antioxidant foods

Owing mostly to a poor diet (as well as environmental factors), harmful entities known as toxins find their way into your body, producing micro-organisms called free radicals that are hazardously effective at damaging the body’s cells. The best way to counter their efforts, though, is to pack your diet with anti-ageing foods rich in antioxidants; molecules themselves, which neutralise free radicals. Indeed, a recent study suggests that consuming antioxidants helps people age slower, live longer and encounter fewer health issues1. The following are all great examples of antioxidant foods:

  • Berries – thanks to the two kinds of antioxidants they contain (flavonoids and anthocyanins, the latter responsible for their bright and bold colours), blackberries, blueberries, goji berries, raspberries and strawberries are all capable of contributing to a soothing of inflammation and boosting immunity2

 

  • Cruciferous vegetables – these kinds of veggies (brassicas) are absolutely teeming with the likes of isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol (yes, both of them antioxidants); note that the US National Cancer Institute advises eating broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and/ or cauliflower on a daily basis3

 

  • Dark chocolate – yes, chocolate is officially good for you, so long as it’s dark and contains at least 60% cocoa, ensuring it’s full of antioxidants called polyphenols

 

  • Grapes – thanks to comprising the antioxidant resveratrol (which animal testing has proved is capable of extending lifespan4), red and purple grapes are highly healthy foods; resveratrol also occurs in organic, sugar-free grape juice

 

  • Green tea – the antioxidants in this beverage (the second most drunk on the planet… only after water itself) are so critical in the fight against ageing because they protect cells from oxidative stress (the oxidising of molecules that can so harm cells and their work throughout the body)5

 

  • Pomegranates – as with all the above, pomegranates owe their heath-giving effects to antioxidants (in this case polyphenols6).

 

Unsaturated fat foods

Generally, as far as the human body’s concerned, there are two kinds of fat – and one of them’s definitely not bad, but the other one definitely is. Saturated fat’s the bad one, as it raises cholesterol and puts a person at risk from potential heart disease and stroke; happily, though, unsaturated fat’s the good one, as it helps to promote healthy cholesterol levels.

One kind of unsaturated fat is polyunsaturated fat, which occurs naturally in Omega-3 fatty acids (of which you’ve no doubt heard; they’re fantastic for aiding heart health7). The following foods then are ideal sources of these specific fatty acids:

  • Avocados – those in the know claim these fruits (the source for great guacamole, of course) not only support healthy cholesterol levels, but also contribute to good brain health, all of which may have a connection to their substantial Omega-3 content8, 9

 

  • Flaxseeds – a terrific source for Omega-3 goodness (as well as dietary fibre and several other nutrients), flaxseeds are, of course, cultivated for their oil as well as used whole, cracked or ground up as additions to the likes of salads, smoothies and baked foods.

 

Vitamin and mineral foods

So much for how the clever-clever sounding antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids (and, thus, the foods they contain) combat the ageing process – but, don’t doubt it, you can rely on good old-fashioned vitamins and minerals as well to boost your body’s health in an effort to keep it as young and in as good working order as possible.

The trick here is to consume as part of your daily diet as much natural, unprocessed organic food as you can (and as little processed, saturate-fat- and additive-rich foods as you can). Indeed, these naturally-derived foods are all superb sources for vitamins and minerals:

  • Beans – blessed with assorted nutrients (iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc), the essential-for-life amino acid lysine and the B-complex vitamin folate, without which all-important red blood cells couldn’t be created in the body, beans are incredibly healthy additions to anyone’s diet10

 

  • Dark leafy greens – high in Vitamins A, C, E and K, all such vegetables also feature great levels of calcium, fibre, iron, magnesium and potassium, while the likes of spinach, bok choy, kale and mustard greens are great sources for B-complex vitamins; moreover, dark leafy greens also boast a low glycemic index (GI), meaning they won’t force your blood glucose/ insulin levels to rise, important should you have diabetic issues11

 

  • Whole grains – refined grains lack all of the goodness of the entire grain, by definition then, whole grains do the opposite, comprising as they do all the grains’ natural nutritional value; so, including B vitamins and Vitamin E, calcium, dietary fibre, iron, magnesium and potassium, whole grains like amaranth, buckwheat, kaniwa, millet and quinoa are the ones to go for12.

 

Anti-aging supplements

As noted, fundamentally basing your diet around foods like those above is the best way to pivot your diet in an anti-ageing direction; yet, should you find this difficult, you might try to introduce some of those foods into your daily eating habits and rely on one or two naturally-occurring, organic supplement products as well. The following are all available at The Finchley Clinic:

MegaHydrate – claimed by the company behind it to be one of the most powerful antioxidants on the market, MegaHydrate is 800% more effective than other known products or foods, so much so it’s sometimes referred to as the ‘anti-ageing pill’ (like MegaHydrate Powder – see below – it’s currently on special offer at The Finchley Clinic)

MegaHydrate Powder – obviously a powder form of MegaHydrate, you get more bang for your buck (so to speak) with this format of the antioxidant supplement, as each bottle contains 50g compared to the 18g per bottle the above version offers

MSM Powder (2 lbs) – methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is the body’s most prevalent (and so, definitely one of its most necessary) minerals; it’s key for effective skin, hair and nail growth, keeping connective tissues strong, ensuring good joint function, proper enzyme activity, hormone balance and effective immunity.

 

References

  1. Assmann K. E., Andreeva V. A., Jeandel C., Hercberg S., Galan P. and Kesse-Guyot E. ‘Healthy Aging 5 Years After a Period of Daily Supplementation With Antioxidant Nutrients: A Post Hoc Analysis of the French Randomized Trial SU.VI.MAX’. American Journal of Epidemiology; 182. 8 (2015): 694-704.
  2. ‘Berry Beneficial: Reduce Inflammation with Fruit’. Penn State Extension: Nutrition, Diet, and Health. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences; 2014 27 Oct.
  3. Higdon J. ‘Cruciferous Vegetables’. Linus Pauling Institute. Oregon State University; 2017 3 Jan.
  4. Wein H. ‘How Resveratrol May Fight Aging’. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2013 25 Mar.
  5. Forester S. C. and Lambert J. D. ‘Antioxidant Effects of Green Tea’. Molecular nutrition & food research; 55. 6 (2011): 844–854. PMC.
  6. Ehrlich S. D. ‘Pomegranate’. University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center; 2016 2 Feb.
  7. ‘Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution’. Harvard: T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The President and Fellows of Harvard College.
  8. Indivero V. M. ‘An Avocado a Day Keeps the Cardiologist Away’. Penn State University. Pennsylvania State University; 2015 7 Jan.
  9. DeMello H. ‘Boost Your Brain Health’. Healthy UNH. University of New Hampshire; 2014 30 June.
  10. Messina V. ‘Nutritional and Health Benefits of Dried Beans’. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2014 July.
  11. Yan L. ‘Dark Green Leafy Vegetables’. usda.gov. United States Department of Agriculture; 2016 13 Aug.
  12. ‘Health Benefits of Whole Grains’. Tufts University Health & Nutrition Lette. Tufts University; 2016 Nov.
Cumin Formula, Healthy Gut, Vegan HCl

Gastric acid issues: do you need to increase your stomach’s HCl level?

 

If you suffer from indigestion or heartburn, your instant go-to treatment may well be antacids. Fair enough, you wouldn’t be alone; millions regularly use them (after all, half the population of the United States alone suffers from indigestion1), but the trouble is, they might well not be treating what’s actually your digestive issues – in fact, they may well just make things worse in the long-term. This is because the likes of indigestion and heartburn are often caused by low levels of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid or ‘HCl’) and antacid treatment for its symptoms tends to neutralise its presence further, thus making things worse.

But why is stomach – or gastric – acid so important; what is it about HCl’s presence in the digestive system that makes it so critical to the good running of this part of the body and, thus, the wider body at large? Well, being a potent digestive agent, HCl plays a crucial role in the breaking down of proteins into their constituent parts (amino acids and nutrients), as well as stimulating the pancreas and small intestine to generate the bile and digestive enzymes needed to break down food ingredients further (into proteins, fats and carbohydrates) and killing the pathogenic bacteria and the yeast in food that can cause illness and disease.

 

Low stomach acid problems

So much for what gastric acid actually does, but what happens if your levels of it are too low? More specifically than indigestion or heartburn, what happens? Well, not only could it bring on digestive problems, it could also significantly lower your level of immunity. And throw into the mix too the fact that, as people age they tend to consume more processed food, making for a poor, non-nutritious diet and, thus, reducing stomach acid and the fact that we all produce less of HCl as we get older, and you’ve a recipe for trouble.

As has been noted already, the body won’t digest enough nutrients without sufficient stomach acid and, as part of that, the body will become protein-malnourished and digest protein improperly. This will inevitably result in the blood becoming acidic, owing to mineral deficiency and, naturally, the body will seek minerals from anywhere and everywhere else to balance the blood and turn it more alkaline. Indeed, among the parts of the body from which minerals will be taken (where, of course, they’re much needed already) will even be the likes of bones; potentially causing – or contributing to – osteoporosis.

And, as you may have guessed, this means a feedback loop will begin – low stomach acid ensures the body’s not getting enough minerals, which results in acidic blood, in turn resulting in the scouring of the rest of the body for necessary minerals, which among other harmful problems lowers stomach acid further. And, unfortunately, once this state of affairs has established itself it’s likely to ensure a rise in the body’s cortisol levels (related to stress), affecting not just temperament and behaviour, but also likely raising blood sugar levels. Additionally, the adrenal glands may become depleted (adrenal fatigue), causing the suppression of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which could bring on premature aging.

 

Low stomach acid symptoms

So, what if you are suffering from low stomach acid – how might you know? Well, the following symptoms could all – certainly a combination of many of them – be tell-tale signs1, 2:

  • Acne
  • Adrenal fatigue
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Bloating, belching, and flatulence rapidly following eating
  • Candida (chronic)
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Constipation and/ or diarrhoea
  • Cracked nails
  • Deficiency of iron
  • Food allergies
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Potential hair loss (women)
  • Rectal itching

 

Increasing stomach acid

As you may have expected, the best way to increase your digestive system’s stomach acid is to improve your diet. First up, it’s imperative to reduce or try and eliminate entirely mineral-depleting sugar and sweeteners from what you eat on a daily basis. One of the ways in which you might try to do this is to replace much of the table sugar (or sucrose) you consume with the entirely naturally-occurring sweetener stevia. Second, you might want to add fermented foods and drinks to what you eat – the likes of raw, cultured vegetables, which don’t just taste fantastic but also are packed with vitamins, minerals and probiotics, and young coconut kefir, a fermented drink that can be made at home with the right ingredients.

Hopefully, in improving your diet, your digestion should begin improving and indigestion and heartburn should decrease, while your overall energy should increase; however, if you have long-standing digestive problems, it’s important to be aware it might take longer than you’d initially hoped for your health to improve. Patience and commitment to healthier eating – and a healthier lifestyle – then is paramount.

 

Stomach acid supplements

That said, you may find you’re able to boost your stomach acid levels via organic, natural supplementation – in addition to making the sort of sensible, positive changes to your diet as outlined above. For instance, the following appropriate supplements are available through us at The Finchley Clinic:

Cumin Formula (HCl-Rejuve) – appropriate for vegans, these vegetarian capsule shells contain (in addition to HCl), aniseed, cumin, ginger, cayenne, fennel, caraway and hops.

Vegan HCl – can be consumed in conjunction with Cumin Formula, this supplement may aid protein-digestion and reduce food sensitivities, bloating and gas and improve food absorption.

 

References

  1. Saltzman J. R., Kemp J. A., Golner B. B., Pedrosa M. C., Dallal G. E. and Russell R. M. ‘Effect of hypochlorhydria due to omeprazole treatment or atrophic gastritis on protein bound vitamin B12 absorption’. J Amer Coll Nutr. 1994 Dec; 13 (6): 13:584-591.
  2. Kennedy R. ‘Hypochlorhydria.’ Doctor’s Medical Library. http://www.medical-library.net/hypochlorhydria.html.

 

Pure Pea Vegan Protein, Thinner G, Weight Management

Use your head to lose weight – and go the sensible supplement route

Newsflash: there’s no silver bullet; there’s no quick fix; no life-hack. There’s no way to cut the corner when it comes to losing weight. Should you be seeking and then suddenly think you’ve found a genius product that will ensure you lose weight merely because it persuasively says it will; don’t believe it. If you go on to buy and consume it, you’ll have been conned. No such product exists; no such weight loss programme that supposedly follows a process to result in ‘proven’ success exists. Now, there are naturally-derived supplements out there that will – to a certain extent – help your weight-loss efforts (we’ll come on to them in due course), but primarily, there’s only one way to lose weight properly and successfully and without harming your body: eat healthily and exercise regularly.

 

Responsibility and motivation

Ultimately, without the desire to lose weight and the drive to do what it takes and see it through, you won’t achieve your weight-loss objective. In short, it’s down to you – it’ll be an effort and you’ll have to undertake it and keep going to achieve your goal. There’s no other way. It’s about taking responsibility, making the changes to your lifestyle you must and sticking with them. Food for thought: it’s been said that it takes three full weeks (21 days) to alter and/ or adopt a habit; that in itself then, so the psychology supposedly goes, isn’t an overnight transition – it’s something you have to throw yourself into, commit to and keep going with.

But, at the same time, don’t expect too much too soon; don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Otherwise the whole thing could become overwhelming. To lose weight, you should set an ultimate goal (a particular weight you want to lose or get down to), but in doing so, set smaller, short-term goals as you go on with your healthier-eating and exercise regime. And bear in mind too, though, that because you are losing weight, you’re going to be doing something that’s better for your body day after day, so once you’re away and going, there’s a good chance you’ll feel better as you progress. Does that mean it could easier the deeper you get into it? Perhaps – but prepared for a long slog, nonetheless!

 

Weight loss products – which to trust and which not?

Really, it comes down to engaging your brain and using your common sense – and, of course, not being taken in by easy-on-the-eye, easy-on-the-mind commercials, whether they be print or online ads or infomercials (the likes of which appear to be multiplying on UK TV channels nowadays). If any part of you does feel like it may be swayed or even persuaded by the supposed weight-loss products (either in food- or pill-consumable form or equipment/ apparatus form), it’s crucial you stop for a moment and actually scrutinise what the product claims it will do for you against what it actually contains.

What are the ingredients of the bottle of pills or ‘superfood’ being advertised (aside from doing nothing good for you at all, they may even do your body harm)? How much exercise are you really going to get from that limited-action apparatus being demonstrated in that infomercial? And, in advertising any of these products, is there any admission at all that to lose weight you’ll have to put in the effort to adopt a healthier, more sensible diet and do decent physical exercise? If the answer’s no; ask yourself why that probably is.

 

Sensible supplements

All that said, as mentioned above, there are at least some sensible food-based products you can purchase that, along with a dedicated healthy-eating and daily exercise programme, are likely to help you lose weight. And that’s because such weight management supplements comprise very specific ingredients that have been precisely formulated by experts to deliver optimum effect.

For instance, they may contain naturally-occurring, organic compounds that support digestion, provide a thermogenic effect or stimulate the metabolism. In other words, they’ll comprise nutrients that aim to support the good work achieved through good, regular exercise and an improved diet rich in fresh foods and far, far lower in sugary, additive-packed snacks and drinks. The trick is to try to live healthily first; the weight-loss should follow.

Remember then, to properly research the supplements you’re interested in; what do they contain? If they’re not organically-derived ingredients, ignore them. For starters, here are three highly recommended supplements on sale through The Finchley Clinic:

Pure Pea Vegan Protein – derived from the highest quality pea protein isolate, thus containing many essential and non-essential amino acids that can compensate for common deficiencies in vegetarian/ vegan diets, as well as supporting the reduction of body fat and increasing and repairing lean muscle mass.

Thinner G – a combination of botanicals that seeks to aid weight-loss by blocking both uptake of sugars, fats and carbohydrates and fat formation, as well as reducing appetite and cravings and encouraging the body to burn calories and fat.

MicroCell Lipotone Intensive – powder-based, comprising conjugated lipoic acid (CL), l-carnitine and garcinia cambogia; designed to aid the body’s natural management of fats and carbohydrates, alongside an exercise and dietary regime.

 

Healthy Blood Sugar, NutraMedix Stevia, Weight Management

Stunning stevia: naturally derived and healthier – and sweeter – than sugar

You may not believe it, but it’s true; there’s a sweetener that, despite being hundreds of times sweeter than table sugar, can do your body a great deal of good. It may sound bizarre, but why is that? We’re conditioned to think that sweet foods are bad for us because so many of them contain large amounts of non-naturally-occurring and calorific sugar – but, yes, it’s because stevia is entirely naturally occurring that it’s so full of goodness for anyone who might try to work it into their diet.

So intensely sweet-tasting, it’s believed to be 200-300 times sweeter than table sugar1, stevia’s reputation as a sweetening ingredient in cooking and general food preparation is actually well established; indeed, it’s been used in drinks like tea going back to the 16th Century. Originally native to South American countries like Brazil and Paraguay, but now also grown throughout the South East Asian powers China and Japan, it’s becoming increasingly recognised for its non-nutritive (non-calorific) properties and, thus, as a healthy alternative to added sugar (sucrose)2.

In fact, in recent years, food products that contain stevia have enjoyed a 58 percent increase in sales3 – and that huge leap may be explained by the fact it’s now looked on not just as a great-tasting alternative to sugar, but also as a food ingredient that’s brimming with health benefits.

 

What exactly is stevia?

Specifically then, Stevia rebaundiana Bertoni belongs to the sunflower family, being a bushy shrub that was originally native to both North and South America and boasting 150 separate species. To extract the naturally-occurring sugar-based qualities of the stevia plant (what, thus, becomes known as ‘stevia’ when it’s used as a food ingredient or supplementary extract), the glycosides within the plant’s leaves – molecules that contain sugar bonded with other chemicals – are extracted and purified through a longwinded process, following the harvesting of the leaves themselves.

In all, stevia leaves contain eight of these glycosides: stevioside; rebaudiosides A, C, D, E and F; steviolbioside and dulcoside A – note; the first and second of these, stevioside and rebaudioside (reb A), are the most plentiful in terms of natural goodness4.

 

Stevia health benefits

So, what of stevia’s natural goodness? Well, once correctly and successfully extracted from the source plant, it’s health benefits are, indeed, many. It should be pointed out, though, that although it’s referred to as non-calorific, stevia isn’t absolutely calorie-free, yet it comprises far in a way fewer than sucrose; enough, for sure, to be referred to as containing practically none. And this very low calorie count ensures that, especially in contrast to sucrose, stevia can operate as a sweetener that not only won’t worsen diabetes and weight gain, but aid in helping to control and combat them, respectively. In more detail then, the possible health benefits of stevia include:

  • Weight management – according to US Government figures, consuming added sugars alone accounts for around 16 percent of the total calorie count in Americans’ diet and, unsurprisingly, studies have linked this directly to weight gain5 and (if sucrose is consumed excessively) obesity6, as well as unhealthy blood glucose levels and cardiovascular disease), so switching to many of the food products on the market today that comprise naturally-sourced stevia – everything from snack bars to salad dressings – ensure that people (not least children, who are so attracted to sweet foods and drinks) can transition away from sucrose and enjoy a lower sugar diet

 

  • Blood pressure – the results of a study conducted in 2003 suggest that stevia may be able to help reduce blood pressure7, not least thanks to it containing cardiotonic actions, which work to normalise blood pressure and regulate heartbeat; moreover, some stevia glycosides are believed to dilate blood vessels and boost sodium excretion and urine production (it ought to be pointed out, though, that some experts believe more research in this area needs to take place)

 

  • Diabetes – consuming stevia has been shown to have no negative effect on either blood glucose8 or insulin9 response; in fact, type 2 diabetes sufferers have reported that stevia has contributed to significant drops in blood glucose and glucagon response following meals10

 

  • Pancreatic cancer – there is a possibility that, thanks to comprising the antioxidant flavanol kaempferol, stevia may be able to help cut the risk of developing pancreatic cancer; a study having suggested kaempferol may reduce the risk by as much as 23 percent11.

 

Stevia supplements

Fair dos, for many people, finding, purchasing and blending stevia-derived foods and drinks into their daily diets may not be the easiest thing to do – as noted, stevia is becoming more and more popular, but it’s still far easier for consumers to get their hands on added sugar alternatives… far easier. In which case, while trying to cut down on your sucrose intake, you may try to introduce (or boost) stevia in your diet via these stevia supplements, both of them available through us at The Finchley Clinic:

NutraMedix Stevia (30ml) – boasting 300 times the sweetness of sugar, this form of stevia is ideal for diabetics, those looking to lose weight and those wanting to reduce their sugar intake; can be used as an alternative to table sugar (four drops the equivalent to a teaspoon).

Fizzy C (Vitamin C) – a fantastic addition to water or any juice should you want a ‘fizzy’ drink, but one free of artificial additives, flavours and sweetening (the sweetening being provided by stevia glycosides).

 

References

  1. NHS Choices. ‘Are stevia plant extracts safe?’. https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/are-stevia-plant-extracts-safe.aspx. Last review date: 13/4/2016.
  2. National Agricultural Library. ‘Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweetener Resources’. United States Department of Agriculture. https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/nutritive-and-nonnutritive-sweetener-resources.
  3. Pure Circle Stevia Institute. ‘Appetite and Weight Management’. https://www.purecirclesteviainstitute.com/nutrition-and-health/weight-management/.
  4. Kubica P., Namieśnik J. and Wasik A. ‘Determination of eight artificial sweeteners and common Stevia rebaudiana glycosides in non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry’. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2015; 407: 1505–1512. Published online 2014 Dec 4. doi: 10.1007/s00216-014-8355-x.
  5. US Department of Agriculture/ US Department of Health and Human Services. ‘Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010’. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2010/dietaryguidelines2010.pdf. 2010 Dec.
  6. Yang Q., Zhang Z., Gregg E. W., Flanders W. D., Merritt R. and Hu F. B. ‘Added sugar intake and cardiovascular diseases mortality among US adults’. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Apr; 174 (4): 516-24. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13563.
  7. Ming-Hsiung Hsieh et al. ‘Efficacy and tolerability of oral stevioside in patients with mild essential hypertension: A two-year, randomized, placebo-controlled study’. Clinical Therapeutics. Vol. 25, Issue 11, 2003 Nov, pp 2797-2808. doi.org/10.1016/S0149-2918(03)80334-X.
  8. Anton Stephen D. ‘Effects of stevia, aspartame, and sucrose on food intake, satiety, and postprandial glucose and insulin levels’. Appetite. Vol. 55, Issue 1, 2010 Aug, pp 37-43. doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2010.03.009.
  9. MNT Editorial Team. ‘What is Insulin?’. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/diabetes/whatisinsulin.php.
  10. MNT Editorial Team. ‘Type 2 Diabetes: Causes and Symptoms’. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/diabetes/type2diabetes.php.
  11. Lee J. and Kim J.-H. ‘Kaempferol Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth and Migration through the Blockade of EGFR-Related Pathway In Vitro’. PLoS One. 2016; 11 (5): e0155264. Published online 2016 May 13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155264.