All posts by Eleanor Wilson

Curcumin, Curcumin Liposomal Liquid

Six of the best: 6 reasons you should try natural curcumin supplements

Spices… what would we do without them? How bland would our food be without them as ingredients? Take, for instance, a curry without turmeric – a yellowy-orange spice that’s a member of the ginger family – what would the impact of a curry be without it? That said, spices like turmeric do far more than merely flavour our food; consumption of them do our health a great deal of good too. For example, the highly active phytochemical in turmeric that’s curcumin (which, in fact, is what gives that spice its colour) is enormously beneficial to practically every part of our bodies. Yes, really. Indeed, so inexhaustible are the curcumin health benefits that you might want to consider introducing it into your diet right now – here are just six of its major benefits:

 

  1. Aids gut health

First up then, while playing a critical role in stimulating the gall bladder to generate and release bile1 (a fluid produced by the liver that aids the digestion of lipids – fats – in the small intestine), curcumin also eases discomfort caused by stomach ulcers because it inhibits stomach acid secretion as well as the activity of pepsin (a digestive enzyme)2.

 

  1. Combats autoimmunity – and autoimmune-related conditions

Research has found that curcumin is adept at ameliorating the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), all of which are either accepted as autoimmune diseases/ conditions or are strongly tied to autoimmunity3. Indeed, in terms of helping to treat IBD4, curcumin appears to be effective in aiding remission in those with inactive ulcerative colitis5, while for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis, the phytochemical (in combination with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac) showed high efficacy6. And, if that’s not enough, it appears to help protect against autoimmune diabetes too7.

 

  1. All the ‘anti’s – anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal

Curcumin can also play an important role in combating infections because of its innate capacity to activate the body’s vitamin D (or calcitriol) receptor protein. Moreover, in anti-viral terms, it helps to combat influenza, adenovirus, coxsackievirus and HIV, as well as reduce hepatitis C gene expression8. Meanwhile, operating as an anti-fungal agent, curcumin (when combined with the alkaloid piperine, a common ingredient in traditional medicine) works effectively against the yeast Candida alcibans bacteria; so often harmful to the gut9. And, when putting its anti-bacterial hat on, it helps protect against septicaemia; as proved by a study on mice, in which subjects exposed to Vibrio vulnificus (a pathogenic bacteria responsible for cholera) experienced a reduction in mortality rates10.

 

  1. Helps treat obesity and diabetes

It’s also been proved through research that curcumin, in bioavailable forms, can considerably contribute to weight loss in overweight people11. And when it comes to treating diabetes, the phytochemical’s capable of lowering blood sugar levels thanks to it stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic cells12 and preventing insulin resistance. Moreover, it appears to drive up cardiovascular function while driving down oxidative stress in diabetic patients13, in addition to impeding obesity-induced inflammation14. Furthermore, curcumin can help reduce the chance of prediabetes evolving into type-2 diabetes and, at the same time, aid in the improvement of the overall functioning of pancreatic cells15.

 

  1. Fights oxidative stress and is anti-inflammatory

As noted already, the chemical possesses anti-inflammatory qualities; so much so, in fact, that it’s a more powerful anti-inflammatory agent than either of the over-the-counter synthetic treatments that are aspirin and ibuprofen – not least because it inhibits the chemokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) in lung cells16. Indeed, it appears its efficacy here for eye diseases is comparable to corticosteroid therapy17. Moreover, studies have discovered that it protects against oxidative stress, specifically, by impeding lipid peroxidation, as well as by boosting glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and by driving up the activity of the oxidative-damage-combating enzyme that’s catalase in the brain, kidneys and liver.18

 

  1. Benefits the liver and kidneys

Finally, by being so effective at both moderating inflammation and lipid peroxidation as well as boosting antioxidant enzymes (like catalase), curcumin does great work in the liver, in particular, because it can help to prevent alcohol-driven oxidative stress19 – and it’s been proved to play a significant role in the fight to prevent liver disease19. Furthermore, when it comes to the kidneys, it can aid in averting kidney cell damage that would otherwise be caused by taking too much paracetamol20.

 

Supplements

So, with curcumin boasting all these fantastic benefits, you’ll doubtless be wondering just where you can get your hands on it – and easily at that. Well, as mentioned at the outset, curcumin can be found in turmeric, but what if – for any reason – you find it difficult to purchase this spice, or if you’d prefer not to, of course? What if, you’d prefer to purchase curcumin directly? In that case, curcumin natural supplements are undoubtedly your best bet. Indeed, you’re well advised to check out the ‘Curcumin’ page of The Finchley Clinic website, where you’ll find, for example, these three excellent supplements:


Curcumin (Liposomal liquid) – developed with a new nano-particle technology, this product ensures much higher absorption of its curcumin content.


Curcumin Forte (Epigenar) – features a micellar formula, which ensures the curcumin is both water- and fat-soluble (185 times more absorbable than standard powder, in fact).


BioCare Curcumin Plus – provides curcumin in a micellised form for maximum efficacy, with antioxidants from pine bark, ursolic acid, sage and ginger.

 

References:

  1. Rasyid A. and Lelo A. ‘The effect of curcumin and placebo on human gall-bladder function: an ultrasound study’. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Feb; 13 (2): 245-9.
  2. Mei X., Xu D., Wang S. and Xu S. ‘Pharmacological researches of curcumin solid dispersions on experimental gastric ulcer’. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2009 Nov; 34 (22): 2920-3.
  3. Bright JJ. ‘Curcumin and autoimmune disease’. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007; 595: 425-51.
  4. Holt P. R., Katz S. and Kirshoff R. ‘Curcumin therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study’. Dig Dis Sci. 2005 Nov; 50 (11): 2191-3.
  5. Hanai H. et al. ‘Curcumin maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial’. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Dec; 4 (12): 1502-6. Epub 2006 Nov.
  6. Chandran B. and Goel A. ‘A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis’. Phytother Res. 2012 Nov; 26 (11): 1719-25. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4639. Epub 2012 Mar.
  7. Aggarwal B. B. and Harikumar K. B. ‘Potential Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin, the Anti-inflammatory Agent, Against Neurodegenerative, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Metabolic, Autoimmune and Neoplastic Diseases’. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2009; 41 (1): 40–59. Published online 2008 Jul 9. doi:  10.1016/j.biocel.2008.06.010.
  8. Kim K. et al. ‘Curcumin inhibits hepatitis C virus replication via suppressing the Akt-SREBP-1 pathway’. FEBS Lett. 2010 Feb 19; 584 (4): 707-12. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.12.019. Epub 2009 Dec 17.
  9. Neelofar K. et al. ‘Curcumin as a promising anticandidal of clinical interest’. Can J Microbiol. 2011 Mar; 57 (3): 204-10. doi: 10.1139/W10-117.
  10. Na H. S. et al. ‘Protective mechanism of curcumin against Vibrio vulnificus infection’. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2011 Dec; 63 (3): 355-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-695X.2011.00855.x. Epub 2011 Sep 8.
  11. Di Pierro F. et al. ‘Potential role of bioavailable curcumin in weight loss and omental adipose tissue decrease: preliminary data of a randomized, controlled trial in overweight people with metabolic syndrome. Preliminary study.’ Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015 Nov; 19 (21): 4195-202.
  12. Abdel Aziz M. T. ‘The effect of curcumin on insulin release in rat-isolated pancreatic islets’. Angiology. 2010 Aug; 61 (6): 557-66. doi: 10.1177/0003319709356424. Epub 2010 Apr 14.
  13. Usharani P. et al. ‘Effect of NCB-02, atorvastatin and placebo on endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 8-week study’. Drugs R D. 2008; 9: 243–250.
  14. Woo H. M. et al. ‘Active spice-derived components can inhibit inflammatory responses of adipose tissue in obesity by suppressing inflammatory actions of macrophages and release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 from adipocytes’. Life Sci. 2007; 80: 926–931.
  15. Chuengsamarn S. et al. ‘Curcumin extract for prevention of type 2 diabetes’. Diabetes Care. 2012 Nov; 35 (11): 2121-7. doi: 10.2337/dc12-0116. Epub 2012 Jul 6.
  16. Biswas S. K. et al. ‘Curcumin induces glutathione biosynthesis and inhibits NF-kappaB activation and interleukin-8 release in alveolar epithelial cells: mechanism of free radical scavenging activity’. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2005 Jan-Feb; 7 (1-2): 32-41.
  17. Lal B. et al. ‘Efficacy of curcumin in the management of chronic anterior uveitis’. Phytother Res. 1999 Jun; 13 (4): 318-22.
  18. Agarwal R. et al. ‘Detoxification and antioxidant effects of curcumin in rats experimentally exposed to mercury’. Onlinelibrary.wiley.com. 2010 Mar. doi: 10.1002/jat.1517.
  19. Varatharajalu R. et al. ‘Protective Role of Dietary Curcumin in the Prevention of the Oxidative Stress Induced by Chronic Alcohol with respect to Hepatic Injury and Antiatherogenic Markers’. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016; 2016: 5017460. doi: 10.1155/2016/5017460. Epub 2016 Jan 5.
  20. Kheradpezhouh E. ‘Curcumin protects rats against acetaminophen-induced hepatorenal damages and shows synergistic activity with N-acetyl cysteine’. Eur J Pharmacol. 2010 Feb; 628 (1-3): 274-81. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.11.027. Epub 2009 Nov 15.
Glutathione, Liposomal Glutathione

The grateful eight? 8 top benefits of glutathione to the body

Let’s be honest, the likelihood is you’ve never heard of glutathione. Why should you have? It’s not a vitamin, is it? Well, no. But it is a simple molecule – specifically, a peptide – to be found in every cell in the human body that comprises three amino acids (cysteine, glutamine and glycine). Fair enough; but if it’s as simple as all that, why’s it worthy of mention? Basically, because scientists believe it’s so important to humans and their health that they’ve suggested that the levels of glutathione in the body’s cells are an excellent predictor of life expectancy – that is, how much glutathione you have in your cells may greatly suggest how long you’ll live1, 2. All the more reason to boost your levels of the chemical through natural supplementation so they don’t run too low? Absolutely!

So, what is it about glutathione that makes it so essential to the healthy functioning of the human body? Why is its presence in the body’s cells so significant? Well, the reality is that this little substance helps to do a great many important things – here are eight of the most common and crucial of them…

 

Benefits of glutathione

  1. Fights oxidative stress

You may have heard of the awesome antioxidant properties of both Vitamins C and E, but don’t doubt it; glutathione is just as impressive and important an antioxidant – not least because it likes nothing more than locating itself right inside cells, the ideal position to do this work1. As an antioxidant then, it plays a critical role in reducing oxidative stress. It removes from the body free radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) and defends against the harmful effects of toxic xenobiotics (such as carcinogens, pollutants and drugs); all of which contributes to protecting the body’s cells and DNA from damage and the body’s systems from deterioration and diseases – including, it’s believed, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and some cancers 1, 2, 3. And, as if that wasn’t enough, it’s also great for helping regenerate other antioxidants; the likes of the aforementioned Vitamins C and E.

 

  1. Helps anti-aging

Free radicals, mentioned above, can cause much harm in the body because they like to find other health-benefitting molecules with which to pair off and ensure the latter become useless. To that end, among the myriad problems this can cause is the fact it contributes to the aging process – something then that replenished glutathione levels can naturally mitigate against1. Specifically, it’s believed that when glutathione levels are low, the efficacy of the immune system’s compromised, which speeds up the aging process – and the knock-on effect of this is that, as it ages, the body naturally produces less glutathione to keep itself healthy and, yes, ‘younger’1. Plus, it’s been posited that the drop-off in glutathione generation during the menopause may be a factor in why women tend to age dramatically during this time of life1.

 

  1. May aid brain health

Owing to the fact the brain tends to consume around 20% – that’s one fifth – of the oxygen absorbed into and created in the body, it’s critically important your glutathione levels remain high to ensure reactive oxygen species are detoxified here; indeed, research suggests that unless this takes place effectively the likelihood of the following brain-related diseases increases1:

  • Alzheimer’s disease – in part caused by oxidative stress (proved by the fact that oral Vitamin E intake can slow its progression1, 2), Alzheimer’s is notable for the DNA-binding protein TDP-43 amassing in the nervous system, a result of which is a reduction in glutathione in the body1 (creating then, yes, a vicious circle). That said, glutathione can treat symptoms of the disease – a study proved that in mice, a gluthatione-level-boosting protein increased memory in mice suffering with Alzheimer’s1.

 

  • Parkinson’s disease – again, in part, brought on by oxidative stress (specifically in the nervous system); Parkinson’s, so research has proved, ensures sufferers experience a deficit of glutathione in a specific part of the brain linked to the disease1.

 

  • Huntington’s disease – it seems it may also be possible to thwart this disease, once again caused by oxidative stress (in addition to mitochondrial dysfunction)1, in part by increasing the body’s glutathione levels so as to improve mitochondrial health1.

 

  1. May help fight infections

Reduced levels of glutathione in the body can also worsen the effect of viral infections, as it helps enable the infecting bacteria and parasites to run amok and cause abnormal amounts of oxidative stress in cells1, 2. Moreover, depleted glutathione means, as mentioned, a less effective immune system, which results in more virulent infections and worse inflammation, (certainly, for instance, in the case of influenza, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis and AIDS)1. Additionally, one study has proved that keeping the body’s amino acid cysteine content (and thus the glutathione content) high, enhances the destruction of harmful, infection-causing mycobacteria1.

 

  1. May enhance gut health

The glutathione compound, glutathione peroxidase, is a crucial ingredient in the natural renewal of the gut wall (thereby helping to prevent leaky gut, which occurs when the gut wall becomes weakened)1, while it’s known that the peptide also works to protect the intestinal mucosa from harmful alien elements1. Plus, there may be a linkage between glutathione deficiency and the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – its sufferers appear to experience less activity of the enzymes that feature in the glutathione synthesis process and have reduced levels of the glutathione building block, cysteine1.

 

  1. May help prevent heart disease

Research has showed that an increased risk of heart attack can be linked to deficient amounts of both systemic and cardiac glutathione, as well as reduced activity of glutathione peroxidase in the body1, 2, 3, while cardiovascular disease is, to a large extent, the result of oxidative stress traced to the heart tissues (itself far less likely to take place, as is a stroke, if a body contains healthily high levels of glutathione with all its antioxidant duties1).

 

  1. May treat diabetic problems

There’s a very strong linkage between the accumulation of free radicals in the body and many harmful complications connected to type-2 diabetes (cardiovascular issues and neurodegeneration); thus, increased glutathione intake can definitely limit (if nor prevent) these complications1. Indeed, as with Alzheimer’s disease (above), a vicious circle can be created via glutathione deficiency and type-2 diabetes as, while the former can help cause the latter, type-2 diabetes and high blood sugar go on to reduce the body’s glutathione content1.

 

  1. May combat rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

Finally, not only has research suggested that antioxidant mechanisms may be compromised in the bodies of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, but also that – unsurprisingly – their glutathione levels may be significantly lower than average1; to match the high demand their bodies have for the chemical then, it more than makes sense to top up their glutathione levels via supplementation.

 

Glutathione supplements

That said, as should now be clear, it makes perfect sense for everybody to try and ensure their glutathione levels are healthily high – so many potential ailments are its deficiency linked to. But how might you go about this? Naturally-derived supplementation is the answer – rather than any unnecessarily artificial alternative. By all means, take a look at the ‘Glutathione’ page on our website to check out the range of products available through us at The Finchley Clinic, which includes the following three examples:

Liposomal Glutathione – supplies the body’s primary detoxifier via a state-of-the-art supplement development process resulting in an extremely highly absorbable form of the chemical.

Epigenar Glutathione HPU – offers a reduced form of glutathione, but in a supplement also comprising zinc, magnesium, Vitamin B6, manganese, selenium, copper SOD and catalase.

Super Antioxidant Protection – a powerful formula that delivers the key antioxidant nutrients that are Vitamins C and E and glutathione, in addition to the key glutathione building-block N-acetyl cysteine as well as Vitamin B2, zinc, manganese and selenium.

 

References:

  1. Kern J. K., Geier D. A., Adams J. B., Garver C. R., Audhya T. and Geier M. R. ‘A clinical trial of glutathione supplementation in autism spectrum disorders’. Med Sci Monit. 2011; 17 (12): CR677–682. Published online 2011 Dec. doi:  10.12659/MSM.882125.
  2. Cascella R., Evangelisti E., Zampagni M., Becatti M., D’Adamio G., Goti A., Liguri G., Fiorillo C. and Cecchi C. ‘S-linolenoyl glutathione intake extends life-span and stress resistance via Sir-2.1 upregulation in Caenorhabditis elegans’. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Aug; 73: 127-35. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.05.004. Epub 2014 May.
  3. Perricone C., De Carolis C. and Perricone R. ‘Glutathione: a key player in autoimmunity’. Autoimmun Rev. 2009 Jul; 8 (8): 697-701. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2009.02.020. Epub 2009 Feb 13.

 

BioCare Vitamin C, Liposomal Vitamin C, True Food Vitamin C, Vitamin C

Fighting Free Radicals, Heart Disease, Skin-Ageing and More: Vitamin C’s Benefits

Of all those essential nutrients we recognise as vitamins, few spring to mind so readily as Vitamin C. Why is that? Is it ‘healthier’ than the others? No, not necessarily; but it is incredibly important we all get our regular fill of it (as this article will outline). Actually, perhaps the reason it’s so mentioned and such a permanent fixture is because we – or rather, our bodies –have trouble with it; that is, they can’t store it naturally, ensuring we have to source it from our food and drink each and every day. And this means, since its discovery in 1930, there’s always been an understandably big to-do about the necessity to get as much Vitamin C as we can from dietary sources.

Just what Vitamin C – or ascorbic acid, to give its more scientifically precise name – does for our bodies makes for a very long list, indeed. It truly is indispensable. First up, it’s a highly effective antioxidant, which means it combats the harmful effects of free radicals1. For, unless stopped by antioxidants, each of these nasty single-electron molecules destroy other molecules – and cells – in the body in its attempt to try and find another electron with which to pair off and ‘complete’ itself. Should they be given a free rein, once they’ve found their way into the body, free radicals can run riot and contribute to serious conditions developing like arthritis, heart disease and even cancer1. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties are absolutely critical in making sure they don’t.

In this way, the vitamin helps to protect and maintain the health of the body’s cells and, thanks to its involvement in the creation of collagen, it plays a crucial role in supporting the structure of connective tissues throughout the body, given that collagen’s a protein involved in the production process of skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels1. Furthermore, Vitamin C’s a contributor to boosting the body’s iron levels (iron being a nutrient that’s a key ingredient of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood from the lungs to the organs and cells it needs to reach). And, as if all that wasn’t enough, Vitamin C’s also just as crucial to wound healing here, there and everywhere in the body1.

Benefits of Vitamin C

As should now be clear then, this vitamin’s influence on the body – so long as it’s regularly consumed – is enormous and extremely varied. Its benefits extend into all areas of physical health; to be clear then, Vitamin C can help with all the following ailments:

  • High blood pressure – developing this condition runs the risk of eventually experiencing heart disease and a stroke; eating foods rich in Vitamin C isn’t just good for your overall health, but research suggests especially so for those at risk of high blood pressure2.
  • Skin-ageing – everybody’s skin ages; that’s just a natural rule, right? Well, yes, but it appears that regular Vitamin C consumption may help in the fight to keep your skin appear and feel healthy. Research suggests the higher the intake of the vitamin the less likely someone will experience a wrinkled appearance and the more likely their appearance will reflect healthy skin-ageing3.
  • Gout – a study has shown that Vitamin C can be associated with a lower risk of gout in men; the study’s results proved that, among its subjects, those that took Vitamin C supplementation reduced their risk by nearly a third (31%) and by upping their intake further they cut their risk by nearly one-half4.
  • Urinary tract infection – there may also be evidence to suggest that daily Vitamin C supplementation could reduce the chance of a urinary tract infection (UCI) developing in women while they’re pregnant; presumably because the nutrient is effective at preventing bacteria growing due to it adding a greater acidic content to urine5.
  • Macular degeneration – should you have advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), it seems that Vitamin C – in collusion with zinc, beta-carotene and Vitamin E – can work to tackle this eye-destroying ailment (it’s the biggest cause of legal blindness in those over 55 years-old in the United States)6.
  • Asthma – not all studies have found that Vitamin C aids asthma treatment beyond all doubt, yet some research does seem to suggest that it could help reduce the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma7.

Incorporating more Vitamin C into your diet

So much for what Vitamin C can do for your body, but seeing as this water-soluble nutrient isn’t naturally stored in the body, how can you ensure you get enough of it? Well, the traditional and simplest way is to do so through a healthy, sensible diet that’s deliberately rich in as many nutrients as you can reasonably squeeze into it.

To wit, the following foods are all excellent sources for Vitamin C: blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries; broccoli; Brussels sprouts; cabbage; canned and fresh tomatoes; cantaloupe; cauliflower; citrus juices (and other juices fortified with Vitamin C); grapefruit; kiwis; mangoes; oranges; papayas; pineapples; potatoes; red and green peppers; watermelons; winter squash and finally, raw and lightly cooked leafy greens (turnip greens, spinach and more).

Vitamin C supplements

You may feel, however, that you’ll struggle to incorporate a majority, or even several of those above foods into your diet to get your fill of Vitamin C – or should you be a smoker (and are having trouble/ have no desire of giving up) you’ll no doubt find that improving your diet isn’t enough to get all the Vitamin C you need. What to do then? Well, you could, of course, turn to naturally-derived, non-synthetic, nutrient-rich products to supplement your diet’s Vitamin C content. For instance, take a glance out our ‘Vitamin C’ section here at The Finchley Clinic and you’ll see how many appropriate and highly beneficial supplements we stock – three examples of which are:

Liposomal-VitaminC

Liposomal Vitamin C – by deploying state-of-the-art technology, this product’s nutrients are blended with tiny nanoparticles (phospholipids) to ensure its Vitamin C reaches the body’s cells more precisely and simply; also contains aloe vera, potassium sorbate and Vitamin E.

True-Food-Vitamin-C

True Food Vitamin C – offering a potent form of the vitamin (thus large doses aren’t necessary), this product offers a food-based formula so it can be easily absorbed by the body; also comprises citrus bioflavonoids for additional immune support.

Vitamin-C-500mg

BioCare Vitamin C – a bio-available, buffered and low-acid source of Vitamin C; combined with magnesium and bilberry extract, the latter providing flavonoids for a potently high antioxidant content.

References:

  1. ‘Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)’. UmmEdu. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid. Last reviewed: 16 Jul 2013.
  2. Juraschek S. P., Guallar E., Appel L. J. and Miller E. R. ‘Effects of vitamin C supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012; 95 (5): 1079-88.
  3. Cosgrove M. C., Franco O. H., Granger S. P., Murray P. G. and Mayes A. E. ‘Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women’. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Oct; 86 (4): 1225-31.
  4. Choi H. K., Gao X. and Curhan G. ‘Vitamin C Intake and the Risk of Gout in Men – A Prospective Study’. Arch Intern Med. 2009 Mar; 169 (5): 502–507. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2008.606.
  5. Beerepoot M. and Geerlings S. ‘Non-Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Urinary Tract Infections’. Pathogens. 2016 Jun; 5 (2): 36. Published online 2016. Apr 16. doi: 10.3390/pathogens5020036.
  6. Zheng S. J., Rautiainen S., Lindblad B. E., Morgenstern R. and Wolk A. ‘High-dose supplements of vitamins C and E, low-dose multivitamins, and the risk of age-related macular degeneration’. Am J Epidemiol. 2013; 177 (6): 548-55.
  7. Kaur B., Rowe B. H. and Ram F. S. ‘Vitamin C supplementation for asthma (Cochrane Review)’. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001; 4: CD000993.
Maca, Prostate health, Saw Palmetto Complex

Protecting Your Prostate: The Benefits of A Balanced Diet And Supplements

Whether you’re a man or a woman, you’re bound to have heard of the prostate – even though it’s a gland that only occurs in the male body. Shaped and sized like a walnut, it’s situated between the bladder and the penis and plays a pivotal role in successful sexual activity for a man, being that it produces a proportion of the fluid in semen; specifically, this fluid nourishes and protects sperm.

By and large, though, the prostate has made a name for itself over recent decades because of what can go wrong with it; as men get older the prostate tends to enlarge and, although in two-thirds of those aged over 50 this isn’t an issue, in doing so it can press into the tube that transports urine from the bladder, thus causing urinary problems (benign prostate enlargement). It may also swell due to an infection (prostatitis) or, as is becoming ever more widely known, could be the source of cancer developing in the body. In fact, prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease among UK men – more than 47,000 men in Britain are diagnosed each year and more than 11,000 die from it annually1. Those statistics sound stark – let’s not pretend they don’t – but, if it’s diagnosed early, survival from prostate cancer is more than likely; 90% of those diagnosed early live at least five more years and 65-90% live at least 10 more years2.

Considering those facts then, it becomes obvious it’s imperative for men to check their prostate regularly (feeling for any potential cancerous lumps) and to see their doctor as soon as possible if they think they’ve found anything. That said; every man should also seek to look after their prostate, hopefully aiding the body to ensure cancer and other ailments are kept at bay from the gland. And a highly advisable way to do this is through diet.

Adopting a balanced diet

Just to be clear, sensible, good nutrition on its own is not going to prevent prostate problems, but the chances are adopting a balanced diet that’s nutrient-rich and full of heart-healthy foods in place of those sugary, saturate fat-packed snacks will reduce the risk of such problems taking root and developing2. So, what should such a balanced diet comprise? What are particularly good foods for prostate health? Here are some suggestions:

  • Berries – what recommends the likes of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries is that they’re full to the brim with Vitamin C and antioxidants. So what, you may ask? Well, because antioxidants battle and kill off free radicals, they reduce cancer risk as free radicals are harmful molecules that like nothing more than attacking healthy cells, leaving them vulnerable to cancer3. It’s also believed Vitamin C may be particularly effective in reducing prostate swelling and promoting urination. Also for Vitamin C, you might turn to broccoli, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, mangoes and spinach.
  • Fatty fish – not only do the Omega-3 fatty acids in certain fish (like anchovies, herring, sardines, tuna and wild salmon) do great work in lowering cholesterol levels and high blood pressure and reduce the chances of heart attack, they can also increase prostate health4 and lower the risk of prostate cancer5 – it’s thought this may be because they offer great anti-inflammatory benefits, thus inhibiting potential tumour growth.
  • Brazil nuts – nuts in general contain lots of healthy fats and are good for brain health; however, Brazil nuts are specifically advisable for prostate health owing to their high levels of selenium, according to research6. Additionally, almonds, pecans and walnuts are all thought to be good for men’s general health.
  • Beans, chia and hemp seeds – fantastic for your diet’s protein needs; beans, chia and hemp seeds may promote prostate health owing to all the fibre they contain7 (one cup of such beans comprises around 15 grams of protein and 15 grams of fibre). Note that hemps seeds also contain essential amino acids.
  • Green tea – like many nuts, green tea is thought to improve memory and attention span and like fatty fish it’s thought to be good for lowering cholesterol, but (like every food type in this list), evidence suggests it may also promote prostate health; in particular, helping to protect against prostate cancer8.
  • Watermelon – free of saturate fats and sodium and bursting with Vitamins A and C, this colourful, lively food is also an excellent source of the handy antioxidant lycopene; a chemical that not only gives this fruit (and tomatoes) their colour but may well reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer9. Estimates suggest a cup-and-a-half of watermelon comprises between 9-12 milligrams of lycopene.

Prostate supplements

Undoubtedly then, adjusting your diet and including in it the above, wonderfully healthy foods could do your prostate health an awful lot of good. That said, in today’s world it’s not always as easy done as it is said to revolutionise one’s diet and keep it on ‘the straight and narrow’. Some of the healthiest foods aren’t always that simple to come by and, depending on other health issues, certain foods may even be off-limits for some individuals.

In which case, to reduce the risks of prostate-related ailments, you may wish to embellish an improved diet via natural supplementation. Do check out the ‘Prostate Health’ section of our website – where you’ll find a good number of supplements (including the following) available to buy through us at The Finchley Clinic:

Saw-Palmetto-Complex

Saw Palmetto Complex – formerly known as Prostate Complex, this supplement comprises a synergistic offering of ingredients, specifically blended together to support the healthy functioning of the prostate gland and urinary tract; contains saw palmetto, lycopene, zinc, selenium, celery seed, beta sitosterol, l-glycine, l-alanine and Vitamins A and B6.

prostrex

Prostrex Natural Prostate Balance Supplement – a combination of premium herbs, designed to encourage a healthy prostate, support normal urinary function and provide nutrition for ageing; ingredients include organic forms of turmeric, pumpkin seed, smartweed, fulvic acid, stinging nettle and saw palmetto.

maca-180-capsules

Maca – a traditional Peruvian herb that may protect against prostate cancer (and help promote all-round prostate health) owing to its high concentration of glucosinolate, a compound known to contain anti-cancer properties; Maca’s also reputed for combatting fatigue, increasing stamina and libido, supporting the adrenal glands and aiding hormonal system balance.

References:

1. ‘Know your prostate’. NHS Choices. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Prostatehealth/Pages/knowyourprostate.aspx. Last reviewed: 20 Nov 2016.

2. George N. ‘6 Superfoods for a Healthy Prostate’. Everydayhealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/superfoods-for-a-healthy-prostate. Last updated: 19 Feb 2015.

3. ‘Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention’. Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/antioxidants-fact-sheet. Last reviewed: 16 Jan 2014.

4. Dewailly E., Mulvad G., Sloth Pedersen H., Hansen J. C., Behrendt N. and Hart Hansen J. P. ‘Inuit are protected against prostate cancer’. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2003 Sep; 12 (9): 926-7.

5. Reese A. C., Fradet V. and Witte J. S. ‘Omega-3 fatty acids, genetic variants in COX-2 and prostate cancer.’ J Nutrigenet Nutrigenomics. 2009; 2 (3): 149-58. doi: 10.1159/000235565. Epub 2009 Sep 23.

6. Kumi-Diaka J., Merchant K., Haces A., Hormann V. and Johnson M. ‘Genistein-Selenium Combination Induces Growth Arrest in Prostate Cancer Cells’. Journal of Medicinal Food. July 2010, 13 (4): 842-850. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2009.0199.

7. Raina K., Ravichandran K., Rajamanickam S., Huber K. M., Serkova N. J. and Agarwal R. ‘Inositol Hexaphosphate Inhibits Tumor Growth, Vascularity, and Metabolism in TRAMP Mice: A Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Study’. Cancer Prev Res. 2013 Jan. 6 (1); 40–50. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-12-0387.

8. Zheng J., Yang B., Huang T., Yu Y., Yang J. and Li D. ‘Green tea and black tea consumption and prostate cancer risk: an exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies’. Nutr Cancer. 2011; 63 (5): 663-72. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2011.570895. Epub 2011 Jun 11.

9. Soares N. C., Teodoro A. J., Oliveira F. L., Santos C. A., Takiya C. M., Junior O. S., Bianco M., Junior A. P., Nasciutti L. E., Ferreira L. B. et al. ‘Influence of lycopene on cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis of human prostate cancer and benign hyperplastic cells’. Nutr. Cancer. 2013. 65: 1076–1085.

Ginseng, Ginseng Fuzion, Mitoguard, Vyta-Myn Complex

Super Ginseng: The Multiple Health Benefits of The Legendary Plane Extract

Would you believe it if you were told that there’s a plant in existence whose properties are so beneficial for the human body it can help with everything from maintaining good brain function to preventing inflammation; from lowering blood-sugar levels to treating the symptoms of menopause to combating erectile dysfunction. Perhaps not, right? But you ought to because ginseng can do all this – and more.

Having been a favourite herbal remedy throughout the many civilisations of Asia and North America for thousands of years, its fame has spread far and wide in the last century and is now a popular supplement in every corner of the earth. Six million people in the United States alone take ginseng on a regular basis – but just what is it they’re consuming?

Ginseng – the lowdown

As noted, the ginseng plant – belonging to the genus Panax of the Araliaceae flora family – occurs in Asia and the Americas and, in total, there are 11 different species. Perhaps the most reputed and commonly used species as supplement-based extracts are American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Korean/ Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). Yet, for all its renown, the plant is yet to meet universal approval across the entire medical community; although evidence continues to mount – not least first-hand proof among ordinary members of the public – of its profoundly beneficial attributes. In which case then, let’s take a closer look at some of the extract’s major health-giving properties.

Positive mood and stress reduction

One of ginseng’s most lauded benefits is its effect on mental outlook and its relaxing properties. When it comes to mood, a UK-based study found that, over the course of an eight-day period, just 200 milligrams of ginseng each day slowed a fall in mood among the study’s participants1, while Indian-based research discovered that Panax ginseng, when consumed by rats, could be used to treat stress-induced illness owing to possessing ‘significant’ anti-stress properties2.

Anti-inflammatory benefits

As you’re probably aware, any chemical or supplement ingredient that possesses anti-inflammatory properties is capable of aiding in the body’s efforts to reduce swelling (in other words, inflammation). How does ginseng excel here? Well, a 2011 study conducted in China (again, on rats) found that Korean red ginseng not only reduced inflammation in their bodies – which, if left untreated, could contribute enormously to the development of many diseases – but also tackled inflammatory damage to their brains3.

Cognitive performance

Let’s be honest; who among us couldn’t do with feeling a little sharper of mind; a little faster of thought; a little more intelligent? Well, evidence suggests that ginseng ably stimulates brain cells, thus helping to improve concentration and cognitive performance. A study showed that the consumption of Panax ginseng root for 12 weeks among people suffering with Alzheimer’s disease impressively improved their mental capabilities – indeed, this trend of improvement continued for three months4. Tantalisingly then, these results suggest ginseng may even have the capacity to be considered a treatment for Alzheimer’s.

Combating sexual dysfunction

One of the most widely considered benefits of ginseng is that it can help men recover a fall in sexual libido. Indeed, a 2008 study using Korean red ginseng appeared to bear out this very fact; out of 28 reviewed but randomised clinical studies of erectile dysfunction, all of them reported positive effects when it came to the consumption of ginseng coinciding with an improvement in sexual arousal5. Furthermore, other research discovered that ginseng works effectively in facilitating penile erections thanks to helping dilate blood vessels and thus relaxing the penis’s erectile tissue6, while the plant’s chemical make-up also works to improve sexual desire directly in the brain by targeting the central nervous system and thus altering activity in the body’s biggest and most complex organ to boost hormonal activity.

Targeting menopause symptoms

Away from what ginseng can do for men, it seems it can also be of significant use to women – or, more specifically, women experiencing the uncomfortable, unflattering and sometimes downright difficult symptoms of menopause. A certain amount of evidence suggests that ginseng can aid them through such menopausal experiences as mood swings, nights sweats and hot flushes during the day, irritability, decreased sex drive (again), weight gain and insomnia – three different clinical trials have suggested that Korean red ginseng can aid in increasing sexual arousal, boost well-being and general health and thus reduce depressive thoughts and behaviour among menopausal individuals7.

Controlling blood-sugar levels

For those suffering from type 2 diabetes, it also appears ginseng may be of major benefit. This is because it can effectively lower blood-sugar levels, so a recent UK-based study found – taking Panax ginseng may result in reduced blood glucose levels just a single hour after glucose consumption, thus underlining the fact ginseng is efficient when it comes to maintaining glucoregulation8. Moreover, ginseng also appears to aid type 2 diabetes sufferers when it comes to boosting their insulin sensitivity (something their bodies are chiefly and dangerously lacking in because of the condition)9.

Boosting immunity

Finally, as if all that wasn’t enough, ginseng is also a dab hand at increasing the efficacy of the human body’s immune system, thus aiding it in its constant fight to keep at bay infection, illness and potential disease. This – rather like its use for driving up sexual libido – isn’t much of a surprise, as ginseng extracts have been used for centuries as an immune homeostasis. Nonetheless, recent research seems to prove it – pointing to the fact that ginseng is capable of regulating every kind of immune cell (including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages and the elaborately named natural killer cells). Specific evidence can be gleaned from studies conducted on mice that demonstrated the plant’s ingredients worked to reduce the amount of bacteria present in the animals’ blood, kidneys and spleens, thus helping to safeguard them from septic death owing to inflammation10.

Ginseng supplements

So, should you be convinced of all the beneficial effects for the body and mind ginseng provides (and, as said, those outlined above are far from all of them), where you might be wondering can you realistically get your hands on this most positively potent plant extract? Your best bet is in the form of natural supplementation. By all means visit our website’s ‘Ginseng’ section to see all such products we stock here at The Finchley Clinic – examples of which include:

ginseng-fuzion

Ginseng Fuzion – a ground-breaking ginseng supplement that’s a blend of six different types of powerful adaptogens for maximum benefits.

vytamyn-complex

Vyta-Myn Complex – a specialist multivitamin-mineral blend, comprising boosted Vitamin B5 and Vitamin A, in addition to Siberian ginseng; designed to provide the body with much-needed, considerable nutritional support.

mitoguard

Mitoguard – provides a combination of Korean Ginseng, D-Ribose, CoQ10, B Vitamins, NADH and antioxidants; designed to maintain mitochondria function and support energy balance.

 

References:

  1. Reay J. L., Scholey A. B. and Kennedy D. O. ‘Panax ginseng (G115) improves aspects of working memory performance and subjective ratings of calmness in healthy young adults’. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2010 Aug; 25 (6): 462-71. doi: 10.1002/hup.1138.
  2. Rai D., Bhatia G., Sen T. and Palit G. ‘Anti-stress effects of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng: a comparative study’. J Pharmacol Sci. 2003 Dec; 93 (4): 458-64.
  3. Lee J. S., Choi H. S., Kang S. W., Chung J. H., Park H. K., Ban J. Y., Kwon O. Y., Hong H. P. and Ko Y. G. ‘Therapeutic effect of Korean red ginseng on inflammatory cytokines in rats with focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury’. Am J Chin Med. 2011; 39 (1): 83-94.
  4. Lee S. T., Chu K., Sim J. Y., Heo J. H. and Kim M. ‘Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease’. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2008 Jul-Sep; 22 (3): 222-6. doi: 10.1097/WAD.0b013e31816c92e6.
  5. Jang D. J., Myeong S. L., Shin B.-C., Lee Y.-C. and Ernst E. ‘Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review’. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Oct; 66 (4): 444–450. 2008 Aug. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2008.03236.x.
  6. Murphy L. L. and Lee T. J. ‘Ginseng, sex behavior, and nitric oxide’. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 May; 962: 372-7.
  7. Kim H. S., Yoon Y. J., Lee J. M., Lee C. H., Jang J. B., Lee K. S. and Cho J. H. ‘A clinical study on the effect of red ginseng for postmenopausal hot flushes’. J Orient Obstet Gynecol. 2009; 22: 132–139.
  8. Reay J. L., Kennedy D. O. and Scholey A. B. ‘Effects of Panax ginseng, consumed with and without glucose, on blood glucose levels and cognitive performance during sustained “mentally demanding” tasks’. J Psychopharmacol. 2006 Nov; 20 (6): 771-81. Epub 2006 Jan 9.
  9. Gao Y., Yang M.-F., Su Y.-P., Jiang H.-M., You X.-Y., Yang Y.-J. and Zhang H.-L. ‘Ginsenoside re-reduces insulin resistance through activation of PPAR-γ pathway and inhibition of TNF-α production’. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol 147; Issue 2; 2013 May; pp 509-516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.03.057.
  10. Kang S. and Min H. ‘Ginseng, the “Immunity Boost”: The Effects of Panax ginseng on Immune System’. J Ginseng Res. 2012 Oct; 36 (4): 354–368. doi: 10.5142/jgr.2012.36.4.354.
Burbur-Pinella, Detoxification, Liposomal Glutathione, OREA

The Detoxification Lowdown: Removing Toxins from Your Body Naturally

Chances are you’ve heard of toxins. And if you’ve heard of toxins you’ll have probably have heard of detoxification – which, in simple terms, is the practice of removing toxins from the body. A large array of different illnesses can be caused by the consumption and absorption of toxins – or toxic substances – into the body. To that end then, detoxification is all about reducing the opportunity for these ailments and conditions to develop or, should they have already developed, treating them via a number of tests and techniques – many of the latter ideally being derived from natural sources.

What can detoxification do for you?

As noted then, giving your body a detox may prove to be of great benefit should you suffer from one or more of many varied chronic diseases or conditions. What sort of ailments are we talking about here? Well, everything from diabetes to digestive disorders; high cholesterol to low blood-sugar levels; allergies to arthritis; anxiety to depression; and obesity to chronic infections. Essentially, the reason for this is because all these conditions are likely to be – whether you’re aware of it or not – influenced by environmental factors. Of course, some people can be exposed to high levels of toxic substances due to their occupation and living arrangement or merely by accident, but unfortunately in today’s world, billions of us are increasingly being exposed to more and more toxins on a daily basis.

Furthermore, if you’re a long-time sufferer of immunity issues or one or more allergies then there’s a good chance that detoxification – via testing and a resultant toxin cleanse – could do you a lot of good. Indeed, it may be that in these cases, conventional modern, synthetic medicine has both failed to correctly diagnose and successfully treat exactly what’s wrong with you – the likes of chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, environmental illness or fibromyalgia (a body-wide pain-causing condition that also inhibits mental/ memory function). Symptoms to such conditions are obviously very varied, but together commonly include allergic reactions, hypersensitivity to commonplace chemicals and materials, insomnia, reduced resistance to infection, low-grade fever, insomnia, aches and pains and intolerance to particular food ingredients. If you find yourself often – or simultaneously – suffering from these symptoms, don’t doubt it; detoxification could well help.

The origins of detoxification

As you may have guessed, the idea of purifying the body of harmful things that find their way into it isn’t new. Civilisations have for centuries believed in, nay sworn by their versions of detoxification. Indeed, in the practice of medicine across the millennia, fasting has been deployed as a ‘purifying’ technique since the year dot – the ‘father’ of Western medicine, the ancient Greek visionary Hippocrates (on whose name modern doctors take their oath), highly recommended fasting.

You may also be aware that detoxification traditionally plays a prominent role in so-called alternative medicine – much of whose philosophy and techniques are derived from those of age-old civilisations. And now, conventional medicine is also waking up to the power of cleansing the body of toxins and detoxification benefits; appreciating, as it now does, the influential role environmental factors play in a worryingly high number of ailments. Asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity and, indeed, cancer are all examples of such illnesses that are often attributable to (multiple) toxin or allergen exposure. Believe it or not, the United States’ Centers for Disease Control now claims that the cause behind more than eight in every 10 illnesses lies in environmental or lifestyle factors.

It’s not the just the experts who are waking up to the positive power of detox, however; increasingly so large numbers of the public are too. For instance, more and more people are seeking to rid their bodies of ‘heavy metal’ poisoning via detoxification. The toxicity of ‘heavy metals’, including arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, can do untold damage to the human body.

Toxin bioaccumulation

Meanwhile, through media coverage, people are becoming ever more aware of the dangers posed by synthetic agriculture chemicals, which find their way not just into the food we eat, but also the water we drink and even the air we breathe in. There’s much debate over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in crops, but the use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture is far from diminishing – in the US alone, almost 4.5kg of the stuff is in the food supply, per person per year.

To that end, it’s become almost impossible to avoid the toxins present in much of the food, drink and more we consume everyday. The pesticides and herbicides sprayed on crops aren’t just present in these crops then, but in the fatty tissue of animals that feed on them and these animals, like it or not, tend also to be injected with synthetic hormones and antibiotics; all of which we, as human beings at the top of the food chain, readily consume. So we’re exposed to the full gamut of harmful chemicals added at the different stages of the agricultural process. Experts refer to this as a bioaccumulation of toxins – and it’s precisely this that, over the years, can cause ailments like asthma, chronic fatigue, hypersensitivity to various chemicals and more. All of which means then that people by the barrel-load are turning to detoxification treatment.

Detoxification treatment

So what does detoxification actually involve? The term ‘toxin cleanse’ has cropped up in this article already, but there are one or two things that should take place before the cleansing proper begins. The first all-important step should be eliminating exposure to as many toxic and/ or allergenic substances and materials as possible. Ideally, this should be informed by tests carried out by a trained healthcare professional. That said (as mentioned above), if conventional medicine and its application has failed to pinpoint the actual cause for a sufferer’s ailments then they might conclude to just start eliminating, one by one, as many toxic sources in their life and the environment around them as they can – as Sherlock Holmes opined, once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth!

So, in this scenario, what should you seek to cut out of your everyday experience? Well, think along the lines of heavy metals and other potentially harmful chemicals you come into contact with; that includes then radiation sources (microwaves and x-rays, for instance); polluted water; pesticide- and herbicide-rich food; unnecessary synthetic medication and drugs; caffeine and alcohol; and perfume and scents. The sort of thinking you should apply here extends even to your teeth – do you have fillings? Depending on your age they may have trace levels of harmful mercury; if so, look to have them removed.

Having taken these steps then, you can now move on to the toxin cleanse. First of all, this takes the form of dietary alterations. Switching to a better all-round diet focused on fresh (preferably) organic food and definitely cutting out sugar-heavy, saturate-fat-packed foods is highly advisable, but adopting specific foods here will also aid detoxification (often those that are high in fibre and low in fat; raw vegetable- and fruit-based foods usually get a big up-tick). It’s best to check with a nutritionist and ask them what they advise for you personally.

Detoxification supplements

The second element in your toxin cleanse could well be naturally-derived nutritional supplements crammed full of vitamins and minerals – and so the amino acids, essential fatty acids and antioxidants that are brilliant for driving the flushing out of the digestive and gastrointestinal systems. It’s common among those seeking detox-focused products to go for those that will aid a liver cleanse or a kidney cleanse, or both; it’s an excellent idea, certainly. For starters, though, you may want to take a look at the ‘Detoxification’ section of our website – indeed, by way of example; at The Finchley Clinic we sell (among many detox-promoting products) the following supplements:

burbur-pinella

Burbur-Pinella – a synergistic combination of the plant extracts Burbur (great for blood, kidney, liver and lymphatic system detoxification) and Pinella (for detoxing the nerves in the brain of aluminium and mercury and supporting the immune system).

liposomal-glutathione

Liposomal Glutathione – supporting detoxification, immune health and skin health, the chemical Liposomal is the body’s primary detoxifier and a potent antioxidant; it’s provided in this supplement via the latest, state-of-the-art technique to ensure product stability.

orea

ORËÁ – a whole-body supplement that aims to remove environmental toxins such as biotoxins, heavy metals and solvents from the blood, organs, glands and cellular tissue.

Androtex, Female Fuzion, Nutramedix Libido Support, Sexual Health & Libido

Does Your Libido Need A Boost? Give Natural Supplements A Try

Unfortunately, decreased sexual libido – often referred to as sexual dysfunction (especially in men) – may prove embarrassing to talk about and address for many people, mostly owing to social convention and the natural privacy that tends to surround sexual activity. And, perhaps because of that reason, when things aren’t right in the bedroom, so the saying goes, a good number of people turn to synthetic medication – in other words, tablets – to treat whatever may be wrong. Sure, this keeps things as private as possible, but is it the right solution? Well, in too many cases pills may actually make things worse (they do tend to cause side-effects), so is there anything you can do to stimulate libido in a more natural way? The answer is a resounding yes – there are several different things you can look to try.

Get up and get exercising

This first step shouldn’t come as any sort of surprise when you think about it; physical intimacy is a physical activity so other kinds of physical activity will surely only help when it comes to reinforcing, strengthening and reigniting libido. Indeed, research proves that men suffering from impotence tend to get more out of their specific erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment when they combine it with general, sensible exercise1.

Such beneficial exercise shouldn’t just be restricted to men, though. One of the reasons women tend to experience a loss – sometimes dramatically so – of sexual desire is due to depression (and this can only be exacerbated by side-effects of certain antidepressant medication). Yet, recent research suggests that, thanks to exercise before engaging in physical intimacy, women in such a situation enjoy an increased experience and more satisfying response to the sexual act2.

… And don’t forget to exercise your mind

Don’t doubt it; stimulating your mind with also help with your sexual stimulation – so much of which is down to the effect it engenders in the mind, after all. A sharper, on-the-ball brain will only help. Indeed, a study conducted in the last few years found that, in both men and women, imagination proved hugely beneficial in stimulating arousal – with unstructured fantasies the most successful. Mind over matter, as it were3!

Breathing and stretching exercises

Going back to getting your body into good physical shape, another of the sexual libido tips that’s highly advised is breathing and stretching. Deep breathing is widely regarded to be good for the body; filling the lungs with air so they can pull in oxygen (and emit poisonous carbon dioxide), ensuring the muscles and organs receive extra helpings of that all-important chemical element for the processing of food for cells throughout the body.

Similarly, stretching (so long as it’s sensible and not overdone) is excellent for keeping one’s muscles in good shape – hence why we all tend to have an urge to stretch after waking up from a night’s sleep when our bodies have been in a single position for a good deal of time. And to underline all this, another study among men proved that those of them who undertook 20 sessions of such breathing and stretching exercises did genuinely enjoy increased sexual desire and response compared to those that didn’t4.

Give your body the sunlight it needs

Surely everyone’s aware that sunlight’s good for you. Not only does it boost your Vitamin D levels, which in turn boosts your serotonin levels thus driving up positive outlook by helping the effective regulation of mood, anxiety, appetite, cognition and sleep, but – essentially because of this process – it also encourages sexual activity in both genders5. Specifically, because sunlight stimulates Vitamin D synthesis it also stimulates the body’s neurotransmitter function which inevitably helps stimulate sexual desire and satisfaction. Plus, of course, when you’re outside getting sunlight, you can also get that aforementioned physical and mental exercise. 

And what about chocolate?

What about it, indeed? It’s long been suggested – somewhat light-heartedly, admittedly – that eating chocolate ‘targets’ the same part of the brain (and, thus, can arouse you in essentially the same way) as sexual activity. Is that really true? Well, there may be something in it. Either way, when it comes to libido enhancement, a study found that among Italian women eating chocolate actually coincided with them enjoying higher sexual activity6. So, does the fact chocolate contain so many antioxidants and phytochemicals actually help in the bedroom? Who really knows. Yet, the giving and receiving of chocolate is a time-honoured tradition of, if you will, the ‘mating dance’ performed by human couples, which can surely then only help boost libido – so why turn down the chance of sharing chocolate with your loved one?

Sexual libido supplements

All the same, a far more recognised and far more dependable route to take in attempting to naturally boost your libido is to try naturally-derived supplements, designed and produced specifically for the purpose. If you check out the ‘Sexual Health & Libido’ section here on our website at The Finchley Clinic, you’ll see we sell a selection of such products – suitable for both men and women. Here are three examples for you to consider:

libido-support

Libido Support – created and designed explicitly to improve libido, this supplement contains several natural ingredients traditionally associated with the natural boosting of sexual desire; namely Epimedium leaf extract, Tribulus fruit extract, Jatropha macrantha stem extract, Muira Puama bark extract, Maca root extract, Eurycome root extract and Eustephia bark extract.

andrrotex

Androtex – this product may assist the male body in regulating proper hormone balance to create superior vitality, thus promoting the body’s natural responses; note: no preparation or special timing is required.

female-fuzion

Female Fuzion – a preparation of herbs forming an elixir whose aim is to deliver health and longevity in terms of sexual libido; in essence, a female-focused equivalent to Androtex.

References:

  1. Maio G., Saraeb S. and Marchiori A. ‘Physical activity and PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: results of a randomized controlled study’. J Sex Med. 2010 Jun; 7 (6): 2201-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01783.x. Epub 2010 Mar 30.
  2. Cormie P., Newton R. U., Taaffe D. R., Spry N., Joseph D., Akhlil H. M., Galvão D. A. ‘Exercise maintains sexual activity in men undergoing androgen suppression for prostate cancer: a randomized controlled trial’. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2013 Jun; 16 (2): 170-5. doi: 10.1038/pcan.2012.52. Epub 2013 Jan 15.
  3. Goldey K. L. and van Anders S. M. ‘Sexual arousal and desire: interrelations and responses to three modalities of sexual stimuli’. J Sex Med. 2012 Sep; 9 (9): 2315-29. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02845.x. Epub 2012 Jul 12.
  4. Bay R., Ismail S. B., Zahiruddin W. M. and Arifin W. N. ‘Effect of combined psycho-physiological stretching and breathing therapy on sexual satisfaction’. BMC Urol. 2013 Mar 25; 13: 16. doi: 10.1186/1471-2490-13-16.
  5. Kontula O. and Väisälä L. ‘How does summer affect sexual desire?’. Duodecim. 2013; 129 (13): 1375-8.
  6. Salonia A., Fabbri F., Zanni G., Scavini M., Fantini G. V., Briganti A., Naspro R., Parazzini F., Gori E., Rigatti P. and Montorsi F. ‘Chocolate and women’s sexual health: An intriguing correlation’. J Sex Med. 2006 May; 3 (3): 476-82
Banderol, Lyme Disease, Magnesium Citrate, Samento

Lyme Disease: A Growing Problem – What To Do About It And How To Treat It

You may well have heard of it and, should you live in the UK, not believe it’s a big deal. Well, when you consider the statistics, how you feel about then depends on your interpretation. Certainly for those living outside the UK – in particular North America – it’s a growing issue, even if it’s nowhere near as talked about as it might be. As it maybe should be. In short, Lyme disease could just be the most serious, under-talked-about health problems in the world today.

The rise of Lyme disease

It’s on record that between 2,000 and 3,000 cases of Lyme disease occur in England and Wales every year1, while in the US that figure has even more alarmingly risen by 17,000 in the last 25 years to currently stand at 27,000 cases. That said, Lyme disease isn’t at all new, but it seems to be getting worse. The reasons for this aren’t clear, but it has been posited that it might have something to do with climate change. Warmer weather inevitably speeds up the life cycle of the tick that carries the illness and bites its human hosts, ensuring many of these beastly ticks are able to reproduce more than ever before they die2.

How do these ticks carry the illness? Well, the bites of the ticks concerned, whose habitats include the likes of woodlands and heaths, are laced with a class of bacteria named Lyme borreliosis (or borrelia), which once it infects the human host results in a variety of unpleasant symptoms. We’re talking the lies of headaches, fever and fatigue here3 – and yet, that can be just the tip of the iceberg. In time, anything between months or even years, as Lime disease takes a hold on the body, it can go on to prevent and harm normal function of joints, the heart and the central nervous system4.

The debilitating nature of Lyme disease

Yes, don’t doubt it; Lyme disease can be so debilitating it can disrupt a sufferer’s entire life. Because it can take time to diagnose, it’s far from unusual for it to take hold in the body without you realising it. During this period, the aforementioned flu-like symptoms are common and, thus, unlikely to suggest a sufferer has actually contracted the illness. When this phase passes, however, things tend to get much more serious. It’s now that more advanced and concerning Lyme disease symptoms are likely to surface – the likes of joint pain/ swelling (inflammatory arthritis); nervous system problems (numbness, facial muscle paralysis and memory issues); heart problems (heart muscle inflammation – myocarditis – and potential heart failure) and brain and spinal cord membrane inflammation (meningitis)1.

The trouble, of course, is that because it takes time for these symptoms to assert themselves – and they’re preceded by others that suggest you’ve caught from something far more common and less serious – many people aren’t diagnosed until some time into their suffering. Thus, this can result in extended emotional distress as they simply don’t understand why they’re feeling so debilitated and incapable of living life normally.

Is Lyme disease contagious?

This area is a little sketchy. Officially, there’s no evidence that definitely proves Lyme disease can be passed from one human being to another; indeed, the likelihood of catching it from someone else that has it seems very remote. At least, outside of childbirth – when it comes to whether a mother may be capable of passing it along the womb and on to her unborn child; like it or not, the jury appears to be out5.

There are several first-hand accounts from doctors suggesting it’s possible and there has been the recorded case of American citizen Justine Donnelly5, whom has always suffered from anxiety and memory issues, while her mother was diagnosed with viral meningitis before Justine’s birth. Eventually, the mother was correctly diagnosed with Lyme disease, which it turned out Justine too suffers from. Although it could be a coincidence that both mother and daughter caught the illness entirely separately – by coming into contact with ticks carrying the borrelia bacteria – Justine believes that in her case it was definitely passed on to her in the womb from her mother5.

Treating Lyme disease

All in all then, Lyme disease does sound like a rather worrying, nay frightening condition. In many ways it is, so should you suspect you may not have a bout of flu, but something more, something worse and maybe Lyme disease, then you most definitely should seek a medical consultation and have yourself checked out. It can be adequately treated, that’s for sure; usually by a course of intravenous antibiotics. Indeed, beyond mere ongoing flu-like symptoms, you may be able to spot you’ve been bitten by a Lyme disease-carrying tick owing to a rash coming up on your body – it’ll be a large circular rash (scientific name: erythema migrans), which looks a little like the bull’s eye on a dart board. Such a rash is likely to appear 3-30 days after you’ve been bitten1.

Yet, beyond the post-infectious phase of the illness, it’s likely sufferers will wish to seek treatment of the fatigue symptoms caused by Lyme disease, while for some people large doses of antibiotics don’t suit their gastrointestinal systems at all (often resulting in diarrhoea) and, lest we forget, antibiotics are unfortunately becoming an increasing cause of bacterial infections owing to our over-reliance on them – harmful bacteria are growing ever more resistant to antibiotic medication6.

In which case, like many visitors to this site before you, it could well be you’re very interested – if you’re a sufferer from Lyme disease and its many symptoms – in taking the naturally-derived supplement route to help your everyday life. To that end, the following Lyme disease supplements are all available through us at The Finchley Clinic:

banderol-30ml

Banderol – an extract produced from the bark of the Otoba sp., a tree that’s native to Peru and other parts of South America; it may help support the immune system, often being used for treating candida overgrowth and Lyme disease.

samento-15ml

Samento – deployed throughout the globe to treat Lyme disease, this product’s derived from a variety of the Peruvian herb Cat’s claw (a climbing vine native to the Amazon rainforest); it’s also used in the treatment of candida and viral and bacterial infections.

magnesium-citrate

Magnesium Citrate – magnesium is crucial to the body’s Krebs cycle (the sequence of reactions through which cells generate energy), thus helping to reduce fatigue; it’s no coincidence that fatigue-afflicted long-term Lyme disease sufferers lack magnesium.

References:

  1. ‘Lyme disease’. NHS Choices. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lyme-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx. Last reviewed: 31 Mar 2015.
  2. Lavelle M. ‘Lyme disease surges north, and Canada moves out of denial’. The Daily Climate. http://www.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2014/09/canada-lyme-disease-spreads. 24 Sep 2014.
  3. Piesman J., Mather T. N., Sinsky R. J. and Spielman A. ‘Duration of tick attachment and Borrelia burgdorferi transmission’. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 25(3); Mar 1987; pp. 557-558.
  4. Hu L. ‘Clinical Manifestations of Lyme Disease in Adults’. UptoDate. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-of-lyme-disease-in-adults. Last updated: 17 Aug 2016.
  5. Lavelle M. ‘Catching Lyme disease in the womb?’. The Daily Climate. http://www.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2014/09/gestational-lyme-disease. 22 Sep 2014.
  6. Soffar H. ‘Antibiotics advantage and disadvantages’. Online Sciences. http://www.online-sciences.com/health/antibiotics-advantages-and-disadvantages. 13 Jan 2016.
Green Magma, Kidney Health, Kidney Health Kit, OREA

10 Tips To Keep Your Kidneys In Top Shape

When it comes to the excretory system, many of us tend to think of constituent parts like the anus, the large intestine and the liver; all of them massively important in the processing and excretion of waste products from the food and fluids we consume. But too easy to forget, it seems, are the kidneys, the two small, fist-like organs that sit either side of the spine within the ribcage and, tasked with filtering the blood to remove waste from the body in the form of urine, are an undeniably essential part of the intestinal tract and the excretory process.

How could we overlook them? Sadly, too many of us arguably do, as we don’t concern ourselves with looking after them – and, thus, our health – as well as we might. Here then are 10 ways to put that right…

  1. Keep an eye on your blood pressure

What’s less known about high blood pressure, unlike with heart attacks or strokes, is that of all causes it’s actually the most common of kidney damage. If your blood pressure’s between 120/80 (the normal level) and 139/89 you should generally look to make both dietary and lifestyle changes, as it’s liable to be too high; however, there are factors to consider alongside this that a medical professional would doubtless discuss with you. High blood pressure’s most likely to damage the liver when it occurs in conjunction with high cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

  1. Keep your blood sugar levels under control

If you have difficulty controlling your blood sugar levels, it could be a sign you have or might develop diabetes – and diabetes can lead to kidney damage; as many as half of all diabetes sufferers experience damaged kidneys. If it’s detected early – and there’s a good chance it will be, as detection of diabetes itself is likely to result in all sorts of medical tests – kidney damage can certainly be reduced. Seeking the help of medical experts to properly manage your blood sugar levels, should you need to do so, is undoubtedly the best course of action; indeed, with diabetes it’s absolutely critical.

  1. Keep fit and stay and active

Generally speaking, human beings aren’t designed to lead sedentary lifestyles; therefore, at practically every stage of life it’s important for us to remain active via natural or recreational physical exercise. Just like with almost every aspect of the body, exercise benefits the kidneys as it’s excellent for reducing blood pressure and so diminishing the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

  1. Adopt a healthy diet

As noted already, diabetes and heart problems are among the many conditions associated with kidney damage and, potentially, CKD – and you can take a big, healthy step towards showing them the door by changing your dietary habits. That means reducing your salt intake, ditching the processed foods, sugar-rich snacks and junk food and opting for more balanced sensible offerings, such as organic, fresh fruits and vegetables. In particular, though, diet-wise, the following foods are all excellent kidney health tips:

aloe-gold-cherry-cranberry

  • Cherries – crammed full of nutrients, so incredibly healthy in any case (Vitamins B6, C and K, folate and magnesium), it’s the citrate they contain, in particular, that’s so beneficial for the kidneys, as this decreases uric acid levels in the bloodstream1, large levels of which can lead to gout, arthritis and the development of kidney stones2

concentrated-cranberry

  • Cranberries – often recommended to help fend off urinary tract infections (UTIs), consumption of pure cranberry juice, when diluted in water, appears to reduce the levels of oxalate and phosphate in urine, which also decreases the risk of forming kidney stones3
  • Java tea – actually the herb Orthosiphon stamineus, which has played a role in folk medicine for many centuries, not least to treat kidney disorders; which recent research confirms it’s effective at doing, as well as supporting the liver and overall gastrointestinal tract and helping to stabilise blood pressure and blood sugar and provide antioxidant protection4
  • Onions and garlic – specifically, it’s the antioxidant flavonoid named quercetin that’s so beneficial for the kidneys in these root vegetables, particularly for smokers5.
  1. Keep hydrated

It’s very well established, of course, that drinking lots of water is one of the healthiest things you can do; when it comes to the kidneys, it helps to ensure these organs can clear out sodium, urea and other toxins, which means less damage for the kidneys, a reduced risk of developing CKD and better health for the overall body.

It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that one shouldn’t seek to excessively take on fluids for this reason – perhaps around two litres daily is about right for what the kidneys and the wider body requires; that said, exactly how much a body needs depends on various factors, such as pre-existing health conditions, climate, exercise levels and gender-specific dynamics like pregnancy and breast-feeding.

  1. Cut down your alcohol intake

Everybody knows drinking excessively is bad for you; it puts particular stress on the liver, the organ charged with detoxification in the body. That said, owing to the high level of toxins drinking to excess can introduce to the gastrointestinal system, it can toxify much of the system, which can help cause blockages and ill-health throughout and, thus, has a knock-on effect on the kidneys. It can also slow the rate of blood to the kidneys.

  1. Stop smoking

Quite obviously, quitting the cigarettes, tobacco and nicotine would be a very good move for your all-round health, but especially for the kidneys it’s very important because, as with alcohol, smoking slows blood flow to these organs. It’s more than worth noting too that smoking increases the risk of developing kidney cancer by a whopping 50%.

  1. Be mindful with pharmaceutical drugs

You should be careful of taking certain over-the-counter or prescription medication regularly (such as the painkiller Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIs) because, unless consumed with restraint, they’re widely accepted as causing kidney damage. Taking such drugs in times of emergencies or infrequently probably won’t pose your kidneys a risk if yours are relatively healthy, but doing so often – due to chronic pain issues like arthritis – could indeed be bad news for your kidneys.

  1. Get checked out if you’re ‘high risk’

The term ‘high risk’ here isn’t intended to sound alarming, merely to suggest that should you have any pre-existing medical issues like diabetes, hypertension, obesity or you’re aware kidney disease runs in your family, then you should have your kidneys tested by medical professionals as you may fall into a ‘high risk’ category of potentially developing kidney-related conditions, such as CKD.

  1. Cleanse your kidneys

Finally, there are few things more helpful you can do for your kidneys than to give them a thorough and regular cleanse. Why? Because it aids them in their natural efforts of removing all the toxins and harmful micro-organisms that like to take root but don’t belong in them, ensuring these little organs function as effectively as possible. To that end, do check out the ‘Kidney Health’ section of The Finchley Clinic website, where you’ll find many naturally-derived products to aid your kidney-supporting efforts, including these kidney cleanse supplements:

kidney-cleanse

Kidney Health Kit – a full cleansing kit for the kidneys; it gives them a boost with Renaltrex and supports and drives toxin removal thanks to Oxy-Powder and Latero-Flora.

znatural-60ml

ORËÁ – a whole-body, natural toxin remover (thus ideal for organs, glands, cellular tissue and the blood); it’s great at eliminating environmental toxins, such as arsenic, biotoxins, lead, mercury and solvents.

green-magma

Green Magma (Barley Grass Powder) – a certified organic extract of young Green Barley juice that may well aid detoxification, improve digestion and increase energy.

 

References:

  1. Zhang Y., Neogi T., Chen C., Chaisson C., Hunter D. J. and Choi H. K. ‘Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks’. Arthritis Rheum. Dec 2012; 64 (12): 4004-11.
  2. Saito J., Matsuzawa Y., Ito H., Omura M., Ito Y., Yoshimura K., Yajima Y., Kino T. and Nishikawa T. ‘The alkalizer citrate reduces serum uric acid levels and improves renal function in hyperuricemic patients treated with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol’. Endocr Res. 2010; 35 (4): 145-54.
  3. McHarg T., Rodgers A. and Charlton K. ‘Influence of cranberry juice on the urinary risk factors for calcium oxalate kidney stone formation’. BJU Int. Nov 2003; 92 (7): 765-8.
  4. Ameer O. Z., Salman I. M., Asmawi M. Z., Ibraheem Z. O. and Yam M. F. ‘Orthosiphon stamineus: traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology’. J Med Food. Aug 2012; 15 (8): 678-90.
  5. Wilson R. T., Wang J., Chinchilli V., Richie J. P., Virtamo J., Moore L.E. and Albanes D. ‘Fish, vitamin D, and flavonoids in relation to renal cell cancer among smokers’. Am J Epidemiol. Sep 2009; 170 (6): 717-29.
Colon cleansing, GHC Colon Cleanse Kit, Harmful Organism Cleanse Kit, Liver Health

Keep Your Colon And Liver Clear: Do They Need Cleansing?

Undeniably, a good deal of our ill-health can be traced to the colon – the large intestine in the digestive system – owing to this being where so many of the harmful toxins and micro-organisms that we consume congregate before they get carried away elsewhere in the body or start doing no good. So taking care of the colon ought to be a top priority for all of us, but how many of us actually do? How many of us even consider doing so? Not enough. Not to put too fine a point on it, keeping your digestive tract in good working order and ensuring your colon’s healthy is crucial – and a regular colon cleanse can go a very long way here. Moreover, you may consider a liver cleanse too; the liver being the utterly crucial organ involved in detoxifying the content that passes through the colon.

The importance of the colon

To understand just why the colon’s so critical to your body and why its upkeep’s so critical to your health, it’s important to appreciate just what it does. To put it crudely, the colon could be considered the waste management station of the human body. As digestion of the food you consume takes place, the left-over, non-nutritious and unnecessary waste products pass from the stomach, via the liver (in charge of detoxification) and into the colon as a conduit on their way to being excreted from the body altogether; that said, important nutrients are still absorbed and hormones produced in the colon while this happens.

All of which means that it’s essential for the colon to be capable of working as efficiently as possible – so many cells and tissues throughout the body (among them again, the liver) rely on this being the case. If not, waste can’t be properly processed and nutrients yet to be absorbed from ‘waste food’ (including the likes of vitamins, electrolytes and even water) won’t be removed from the otherwise digested food for the body to use and so benefit from.

So, the colon isn’t just an organic tunnel that waste passes through on its way to the anus; it also plays an absolutely crucial role in the determination of what nutrients are pulled from food (and redistributed) and what’s discarded along with the waste.

Colon and liver cleanse benefits

As noted then, in order to help the colon and the liver keep themselves in tip-top condition; it’s highly advisable to regularly cleanse them. More specifically, you might do so to clear health-endangering blockages. Like it or not, it’s estimated that the average person has between seven and 10 pounds of pre-existing faecal matter in their colon at any one time – and that’s even the case should they have a regular bowel movement each day.

While that probably doesn’t sound like something you want to ponder on, it’s prudent to note that an accumulation of waste on the colon’s walls creates an ideal environment for parasites, ‘bad’ bacteria, yeast and viruses to set up home and multiply. Plus, waste that’s clogging up the colon means the new waste that ought to be passing into it from the liver is backed up (and here’s why it’s wise to cleanse your liver if you’re considering on cleansing your colon).

Indeed, too often, in a worryingly high proportion of people the detoxification pathways of the liver are essentially blocked. And the trouble with this is that, in time, toxins can build up in them – food for thought, as it were, given that it’s believed the average person’s exposed to more than 120 toxins every day thanks to the food, fluids and water they consume, the personal care products they use, the stress they experience and the air they breathe.

Cleansing the colon and the liver in order to prevent blockage of detoxification pathways is highly advisable then; not least because the latter can potentially lead to what’s known as autointoxication (poisoning by a toxin created in the body). Indeed, one expert even believes so many ‘undesirable consequences’ in the body can be traced back to autointoxication that it’s essentially the cause – as far as the body’s concerned – of many of the today’s illnesses and diseases1.

What undesirable consequences, though? Well, we’re talking symptoms like aching muscles and joints; candida (or a general yeast) infection; congestion; constipation; diarrhoea; difficulty breathing; difficulty concentrating and ‘fuzzy thinking’; eye vision issues; fever; fatigue; flu-like symptoms; hormonal imbalance; insomnia; mucus discharge; vomiting and weight gain. If you find yourself suffering from a good number of these problems and issues at the same time then there’s a chance your liver’s detoxification pathways are blocked and, because of that, you might be suffering from autointoxication.

Autointoxication – the ins and outs

Just to be clear, though; as you’d no doubt assume, autointoxication isn’t an occurrence that’s altogether straightforward – or, at least, its causation isn’t. While blockages in the colon and liver can often be behind the problem, it’s worth bearing in mind there could be other reasons for such toxin trouble in the body. The causes for autointoxication then tend to be one of the following:

  • Blockages backing up waste in the colon – as noted, this causes a traffic jam in the intestinal tract, trailing back to the liver and possibly the kidneys
  • Congestion in the liver – should the liver on its own be blocked up thanks to toxins and, thus, perform sluggishly, it can be further compromised thanks to toxins in the colon enjoying a freer rein and further poisoning the liver, slowing down the liver even more
  • Adrenal fatigue or low thyroid – if you have issues with either (or both) the adrenal glands and/ or the thyroid gland and they’re not producing the hormone levels they ought to be, then it’s almost inevitable your body will become fatigued, resulting in a sluggish colon, constipation and autointoxication; if you’re not sleeping well, it’s bound to have a knock-on effect on the efficacy of these glands as well.

Colon and liver cleanse supplements

So, should you have established you’re suffering from autointoxication thanks to colon (and/ or liver) blockages or you merely suspect your colon and liver are more clogged up than they should be, cleansing them is the answer. In addition to cutting-out junk food, excessive alcohol intake and any recreational drug use (all of which you’re highly advised to do to ensure your gastrointestinal system functions to the best of its ability), you might to take a look at the following cleansing supplements collections available from us at The Finchley Clinic:

liver-cleanse

 

GHC Colon Cleanse Kit – a combination of naturally-derived supplements to aid effective and easy cleansing of the colon, featuring the intestinal flora-promoting Oxy-Powder and the excellent probiotic Latero-Flora.

colon-cleanse-kit

GHC Liver Health Kit – an all-natural approach to cleansing and rejuvenating the liver and gallbladder, which calls on the power of Livatrex to kick-start the organ’s own natural cleansing abilities and Oxy-Powder to facilitate toxin removal, alongside the unique probiotic that’s Latero-Flora.

harmful-organism-cleanse

Harmful Organism Cleanse Kit – designed to flush and cleanse your body of harmful organisms; it includes one bottle of Latero-Flora and two bottles of Paratrex, which aims to help create an environment inhospitable to unwanted organisms.

 

Reference:

  1. Jensen, B. ‘Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management’. Escondido. 1981. p 20.