The human body operates as a well-oiled machine; most of the time. Unfortunately, now and again, things don’t always run quite as they ought to and our bodies could do with some help – whether that’s a bit of a tune-up or a resetting. Or both.

A part of the body that’s crucially important – and quite remarkable – is the gastrointestinal tract, often loosely referred to as ‘the gut’. It encompasses the organs that digest and detoxify all the food and drink we consume and, from that, excretes the waste we don’t need (whose presence in the body would otherwise make us ill and harm us, in the short- and long-term). This ensures nutrients in our food and drink that do us good can be used around the body to build and keep healthy muscle, bone, the brain and other critical body tissues.

And, of course, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the gut’s also where the basis of the body’s immune system’s to be found. Indeed, the six-feet-long colon, a u-shaped section of the intestines, is where much of the gut’s bacteria resides – not just toxins and ‘bad bacteria’, but also so-called ‘good bacteria’/ probiotics, the presence of which is critical for keeping the body’s immune system working effectively.

Do you need a gut cleanse?

Sometimes, though, and often for a combination of different reasons, the gut can become overwhelmed with toxins absorbed from our food and drink – and the gut’s ‘good bacteria’ becomes outnumbered. When this occurs, obviously help is needed. An excellent answer is a gut cleanse; or, if you rather, a colon cleanse, as it’s also called. In fact, experts suggest that cleansing the gut should be a regular activity, as opposed to relied on as a quick-fix every now and then. This is because the gut can benefit greatly from decent care and maintenance.

Doing it for the first time, though, a gut cleanse boasts an extra incentive over and above a much-needed clear-out of gunk – it presents an excellent opportunity to begin new, healthier dietary and lifestyle habits. All of which should aid the long-term aim that is maintaining levels of beneficial probiotic bacteria and smoother digestion – and all-round fitter and healthier living.

The three stages of a cleanse

So, what does a colon cleanse entail? Well, the first step is, for several days, eradicating all toxin-filled foods from your diet, the likes of dairy, gluten-rich foodstuffs and meat. Instead, replace them with foods that are much more agreeable to your gastro-intestinal system – fruits are ideal.

The next step is the cleanse itself, which involves flushing your system clean of all unnecessary waste, toxins and, then, this is followed by the final step, topping up or, indeed, building back up your gut’s natural need for beneficial organisms – ‘good bacteria’/ probiotics.

Signs you might need to cleanse your gut

Is something in your gut off-balance? If so, your body more than likely will send you a signal via a symptom of some kind – this is, after all, how the body tries to naturally communicate with us when something’s amiss. In which case then, you might want to consider a gut cleanse if you find yourself experiencing one – or definitely more than one – of the following symptoms:

• Bad sleep hygiene
• Body aches
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Low energy
• Mental fog
• Poor appetite

Colon cleanse benefits

So, in more detail then, here’s a rundown of what can a colon cleanse can do for you:

• Aid emotional balance – gut inflammation tends to increase any anxiety and stress you may be feeling and, of course, the former naturally can happen due to bad diet; a colon cleanse can ease and help cease gut swelling, aiding emotional balance
• Steer your immune system in the right direction – detoxing your gut of harmful toxins helps it heal itself and so can play a critical role in improving your immune system, while topping up your ‘good bacteria’ count via consuming probiotics is the icing on the cake
• Keep constipation at bay – Doing away with processed foods in your diet, such as certain meats and sugar, will reduce the compacted waste in your gut and, in turn, reduce the constipation you feel, from time to time; a colon cleanse doesn’t just ensure you do this, but sees you focus instead on consuming water and fibre-rich foods, further aiding the flushing out of your system
• Help fight obesity – research proves that gut flora (‘good bacteria’/ probiotics) can help lower obesity rates, so giving your gut flora a helping hand via a colon cleanse can only be good news if you want to fight the flab
• Boost brain health – research has found that a number of probiotics can positively influence brain activity, so in the final stage of your colon cleanse activity when you refuel – or, if you prefer, re-tool – your gut microbiota, be sure to seek out brain-health-friendly probiotics, if you can
• Increase absorption of nutrients – insufficient absorption of the all-important nutrients from your food into your gut due to ill-health can leave you at risk of developing gut-related illnesses and conditions; the likes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), malabsorption syndrome, leaky gut and Crohn’s disease. Granted, this is something of a worst-case scenario, but regular colon cleansing can help your body steer clear of poor gut health, for sure.

Colon cleansing supplementation

Now, if you’ve read this far, you’ll have learned all about the ins and outs of colon cleansing, as well as read advice on the three stages you might want to follow, but you may remain a little daunted by pulling together all that’s necessary to start your first cleanse and, subsequently, daunted at the prospect of launching yourself into it. That’s understandable. Yet, we’ve more to share with you here because, at The Finchley Clinic, we can offer you an all-ready gathered-together kit of products, to get you off and underway with your cleanse.

The Global Health Center (GHC) Colon Cleanse kit, then, comprises the extremely powerful and well-reviewed supplements Oxy-Powder (an oxygen-based colon cleanser) and Latero Flora (a hugely beneficial strain of ‘good bacteria’), to cleanse your small intestine, large intestine and the colon of any toxins residing in them, as well as impacted faecal matter.

And the combination of these supplements is specifically designed to flush out and neutralise toxins in your gastro-intestinal tract and help restore its all-important probiotic levels, in order to lead to healthy digestion, improved well-being and boosted immunity. Good luck – and happy cleansing!

The location and purpose of the liver

The liver is the largest gland in the body and it’s located at the beginning of the small intestine. It has many purposes but one of the main ones is to produce bile, which is an essential secretion for breaking down digested lipids into smaller particles so fats and fat-soluble vitamins can be absorbed by the small intestine. Adults produce between 400 and 800 ml of bile each day and it’s stored in the gallbladder until needed. Besides manufacturing bile, the liver works as a filter to detoxify and purge harmful chemicals (such as alcohol) from the body. Along with the kidneys, the liver is the most important organ of elimination in the body.

Christmas, alcohol, and a healthy liver.

Unfortunately they don’t go together terribly well. Latest studies reveal that although the more alcohol you consume the greater the burden you place on your liver, in actual fact any amount of alcohol is harmful. Whilst abstention is probably the ideal, let’s be realistic, many of you will drink.

Other things that don’t exactly help the liver

Drinking is not the only thing that does in your liver. The liver can also be weakened by a rubbish diet, in particular too much sugar, fried foods, refined foods (white rice, white bread, white pasta for example), excessive meat intake, and regretably countless orthodox medicines. Our old “friend” candida overgrowth also harms the liver through free radical damage. As my own mentor put it in the article Conquering Candida  “The liver takes the full brunt of candida toxins emanating from the bowel (at least one of which – acetaldehyde – is a known hepatotoxin) and also, candida itself is likely to disseminate to the liver readily.  Liver function might therefore be expected to be disturbed in candidiasis, and this could encourage the development of food allergies since the liver is responsible for removing foreign proteins from the circulation”. 

Fortunately help is at hand.

Livatrex

Livatrex is a blend of powerful, carefully-selected herbs that contain antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. The compounds in GHC’s enhanced Raw Herbal Extract™ naturally detoxify, flush, and purge the liver of fatty deposits, built-up toxins, and other impurities. This 30-day supply (at the maintenance dosage) can help to : –

• Clean and strengthen the liver
• Improve Energy
• Purify the Blood
• Protect from free radicals

Livatrex is our most popular liver support product. Here is some additional information on its 9 active constituents that goes beyond what we publish on the web site

1. Borotutu Bark
Borotutu bark is by far one of the most powerful substances when it comes to liver cleansing and digestive system support. It has even shown promise for biliary colic and jaundice. This herb contains powerful antioxidants which are known to help protect your liver cells from serious damage.

2. Milk Thistle Seed
Milk thistle has been used for over two thousand years due to its remarkable effects on the liver and gallbladder. Galen and Pliny, the ancient philosophers, recognized and used the power of milk thistle for liver cleansing and support. Milk thistle helps with the detoxification of poisons such as alcohol, regeneration of damaged liver tissue, stimulation of bile production, and digestion.

3. Chanca Piedra
The indigenous people of the Amazon have used chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) for centuries to promote the body’s natural elimination of liver, gallbladder, and kidney stones. It also stimulates the liver to purge itself of harmful toxins and foreign particles. Chanca piedra soothes the liver, boosts bile production, and may inhibit the formation of calcified stones in the body.

4. Greater Celandine
The ancient Greeks and Romans considered celandine one of the most powerful liver cleansing herbs. Maurice Mességué, the famous French herbalist, used greater celandine for all liver concerns. Celandine stimulates enzyme production from the pancreas, helps the liver eliminate foreign particles, stimulates the production of bile, helps relieve gallbladder spasms and improves a sluggish liver.

5. Chicory Root
Known for its vibrant blue flowers, chicory is also a medicinal herb celebrated for its ability to help cleanse the liver. Ancient Roman, Persian, Arabian, and Indian physicians used chicory leaves and root to aid against a slew of liver ailments including jaundice, gallbladder and liver stones, urinary stones, constipation, indigestion, depression, and headaches

6. Dandelion Root
This humble weed, often disliked by suburban lawn lovers, is a liver cleanser that has been celebrated throughout the ages. Dandelion root stimulates bile flow from the liver and is often used by herbalists to help resist undesirable liver conditions, including fatty liver, cirrhosis, estrogen dominance, and even acne.

7. Organic Turmeric
This yellow root, a cousin of ginger, is a powerful liver protector and even liver cell regenerator. It not only helps stimulate enzymes responsible for flushing out toxins from the body, but turmeric is also capable of combating the effects of certain carcinogenic substances.

8. Peppermint
Peppermint isn’t just for fresh breath. This herb stimulates bile flow and relaxes bile ducts, helping to break down fats. It also helps reduce bad cholesterol, which makes the liver’s job of filtering toxins easier. Peppermint also inhibits blockages in the kidney and gallbladder and calms the stomach for optimal digestion.

9. Organic Yellow Dock Root
This herb is known as a blood purifier and commonly used to cleanse toxins from the body. Yellow dock helps break down fatty foods by stimulating bile production, enhancing normal liver detoxification, improving the flow of digestive juices, helping the liver eliminate toxins, and has mild diuretic effects to help flush out harmful substances. It also helps reduce irritation of the liver and digestive system.

Dandelion Formula

A polyherbal supplement containing 8 ingredients synergistically blended to support optimal liver function developed by the author of “Conquering Candida” mentioned above. It consists of 60 capsules compared to the 2 oz liquid contained in Livatrex. The developer describes it’s development thus “For each formula we screen hundreds of herbs and then having made the initial choice we test for antagonism, synergism, allergenicity and tolerability before we decide on the final selection. In all we conduct around three thousand separate tests for each formula.”  The same approach belies all the herbal products found here. Consisting of Dandelion root, Dandelion leaf, Red clover, Yellow dock, Fennel, Burdock, Turmeric, Ginger (typically 400 mg blend per capsule), you’ll notice that it contains some of the same ingredients as Livatrex.  Totally additive-free

Which one is better?

Can’t really answer this one I’m afraid. Inevitably most suppliers say something to the effect of “our product is the best one, and all the rest are rubbish”. But in reality, individual results vary with virtually everything. Whichever one you try, if you’re serious about supporting and rejuveanting your liver you’ll be wanting to regard this as a three month programme, not a 3 day programme! To some extent that’s why we offer volume discounts on these products – to encourage you to buy enough to give it a fair crack of the whip. Try not to be excessively influenced by the fact that Livatrex has a prettier label. That’s because livatrex is manufactured by a relatively big company, whereas Dandelion Formula is more of an “artisan” product developed by someone who remains deliberately “low profile”. At the end of the day, I believe they are both great products. Follow your intuition, and also consider whether you prefer a liquid extract (Livatrex) or capsules (Dandelion Formula).

Depending on what you celebrate in December, I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, Chanukah, Winter Solstice, Bodhi day, Yule, Kwanzaa, Zarathosht Diso or Knees-Up! And if I missed anyone’s religion out, let me know, and I’ll add your celebration in next year!

Mark G. Lester
Director and overall Clever Cloggs
The Finchley Clinic Ltd
www.thefinchleyclinic.com

Like or not, science has yet to reach the stage where it can prevent us all from ageing. And yet, leveraging the best and most appropriate of what science has to offer, we can at least do our best at slowing down the ageing process of our bodies.

Now, of course, there’s been a lot of misinformation, mythology and, frankly, outright lying over the years here, but research studies have proved that, by consuming and using the right combination of nutrients, we can do much to help our bodies remain as healthy, fit and young-looking as possible. And, in this article, we’re going to take a look at a few of them…

Adopt a nutritious diet

Like it or not, as we start to age it becomes increasingly important that what we put in our bodies is genuinely good for them. That means adopting and maintaining a richly nutritious diet; one that’s packed full of the alphabet of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E and K). And protein too – especially organic protein, if possible – because protein is necessary for maintaining good energy levels, strong muscles and healthy skin that looks as youthful as it might.

It should go without saying that seeking out foods that contain these many nutrients ought to replace bad eating habits in a diet. That is, processed foods packed full of refined sugars and unnatural chemicals; the sorts of foods whose inorganic toxins become harder and harder for your body to remove and excrete.

Treat your body right

Away from a sensible, healthy diet, though, what else can you do to try to hold back the ageing process for as long as possible? Well, there’s much to be said for what’s often referred to nowadays as ‘wellness’. As a phrase and when it’s sold, it can sound airy-fairy and gimmicky, but dial down into what it is and it suddenly becomes far more practical. It’s all about a healthy, seize-life state-of-mind translated into behaviour – positive, optimistic, ‘youthful’ thinking; yet being sensible along with it, so you treat your mind and body right.

That means engaging in appropriate amounts of regular exercise to help keep your heart and your body, in general, in good trim; as well as keeping your brain sharp. Such exercise boosts the body’s oxygen levels too, which can aid in reducing stress. Sleep hygiene’s also important; getting enough good sleep – and even the occasional nap. Research suggests that those of a certain age, having indulged in naps, do better in memory tests and enjoy improved motor skills.

What works for wrinkle-free skin?

You might not be surprised to learn there’s no silver bullet for keeping your skin healthy- and young-looking. What it may work, as with everything concerning anti-ageing, is a combination of things. Age is demonstrated obviously by our skin, especially on the face (e.g. wrinkles and crow’s feet); tell-tale signs that one’s skin simply isn’t as naturally moisturised as it once was.

But you can give it a helping hand via good diet and lots of rest and sleep – and, yes, as stress-free living as possible. Yet don’t rule out lotions and creams either; at least, those that can genuinely aid skin rejuvenation via their organic, naturally-occurring ingredients.

For instance, of all skincare products, topical Vitamin C comes highly recommended in successfully nourishing and protecting skin. The evidence? A three-month-long trial of topical Vitamin C showed an 84 percent improvement in skin smoothness and brightness in subjects who used it over those who didn’t. That said, there are other, entirely naturally-derived alternatives you may also want to try too (see below).

Give anti-ageing supplements a go

Improved diet and lifestyle and nutrient-rich skincare products will definitely set your body (and mind) on the road to healthy living and hopefully improved longevity, but frankly, why stop there? Why not pack the anti-ageing deck in your favour by also trying one or two totally naturally-sourced, organic supplements; supplements that have been developed to aid the body in eliminating age-stealing, disease-contributing toxins and boosting nutrition in its organs, cells and skin?

Here are just three such supplements from our ‘Anti-Ageing’ section that we strongly recommend you try…

Liposomal Carnosine – a powerful antioxidant that may support those wishing to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, as well as aid those of a certain age suffering from memory concerns.

Green Magma (Barley Grass Powder) – an alkalising powder that, rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and chlorophyll, may aid digestion and detoxification.

Aeterna Gold Collagen Crème Serum – containing a highly concentrated pure marine (non-shark) collagen, this cream seeks to help maintain plump and firm facial tissue; also comprises MSM and other plant extracts for supporting young- and healthy-looking skin.

Just imagine food you’ve consumed, but not fully digested, instead of passing through the digestive system naturally (where its nutrients are extracted from its waste), passing through perforations in the intestines. And then just imagine toxins from your food and drink doing the same. Doesn’t sound good, does it? Unfortunately, this is exactly what sufferers of leaky gut syndrome know only too well.

Also called intestinal hyperpermeability, this intestinal disorder often develops when the gut has become inflamed, usually thanks to dietary, metabolic or environmental factors. But what can sufferers do to mitigate its symptoms or even prevent the syndrome developing in the first place? Well, tackling the environment factors that could be behind it might for many people be far easier said than done, but another approach is through diet – through trying to introduce into your diet (and replace ‘bad foods’ in your diet with) foods that are especially good for a leaky gut.

Here are five examples to consider:

• Coconut – it’s the medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in coconuts that make them so good for those suffering from a leaky gut. Why? Because digestive systems find MCFAs easier to digest than other fats (healthy fatty acids or not), which means they’re, of course, easier on the gut itself. Plus, the fermented yogurt-esque food that’s coconut kefir also comprises probiotics, with their terrific health-friendly properties (see below).
• Fermented foods – packed full of the ‘good bacteria’ that are probiotics, which are essential for reducing the level of ‘bad bacteria’ in your gut, fermented foods (such as sauerkraut and kimchi) are great for helping to restore gut health.
• Flaxseed oil – an excellent concentrated source of Omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed oil is something of a given for this list. Omega-3s are renowned for the good they do the human body, not least because they can aid in reducing gut irritation, as well as help to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms.
• Low-glycaemic fruits – with their ability to release their glucose slowly and steadily (thus, encouraging a leaky gut to work less hard), fruits low on the glycaemic index (GI) scale are great for those with a leaky gut because they’re also full of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Note: because of their low sugar content, berries are the top option among these sorts of fruits.
• Non-starchy vegetables – these kinds of vegetables that lack starch (such as dark, leafy green vegetables) are also high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and so great for helping reduce irritation in your digestive system, ensuring what you eat is easier on your gut.

Leaky gut supplementation

Yet, what if incorporating into your daily diet non-starchy vegetables or any of the other foods mentioned above (or, indeed, any other foods that are good for leaky gut that your own research might discover), isn’t as easy as you might hope? Some foods just aren’t as easy to get hold of (and/ or as affordable) for some as they are for others. And, of course, sometimes there are specific dietary restrictions – for other health reasons – that can put a spanner in the works when it comes to specialising a diet.

Well, you may find help’s at hand through naturally-derived supplementation. And at The Finchley Clinic we’ve definitely got you covered here, thanks to the following pair of leaky gut-focused supplement kits. Below you’ll find outlined what they contain and what their contents could well do for your gut, but please also click on their links and take a look at the kits – and their products – in more detail:

• The Finchley Clinic Leaky Gut Healing Kit – designed by The Finchley Clinic founder Mark Lester, along with Revive Yourself’s Ryan Martin, this kit is both a comprehensive and affordable offering for treating the effects of leaky gut and improving gut health.

It comprises 1 x Biokult (wide spectrum probiotic), 40 Pau d’Arco teabags (anti-candida), 1 x Restore (ideal for healing gut mucosa), 2 x Marshmallow Formula (suitable for leaky gut, gut inflammation and food intolerance) and 1 x Aloe Fuzion (aloe vera capsules).

• Global Healing Center (GHC) Gut Health Kit – comprises the very best of the most relevant Global Healing Center products so you can follow a dedicated 30-day programme to cleanse your gut, balance its microbiota and lay the foundation for abdominal comfort and peace.

It comprises Oxy-Powder (potent intestinal cleanser), Floratrex (probiotic), VeganZyme (features plant-based, digestive and systemic enzymes), Aloe Fuzion (aloe vera capsules) and Turmeric (optional; high in curcuminoids and natural antioxidants).

Nowadays, with almost every natural food (and health food item) getting referred to as a ‘superfood’, it provokes an inevitable question – just what is a superfood really supposed to be; what should qualify a food as a superfood?

Well, perhaps a good example of a superfood is the likes of a blueberry. Why? Because blueberries aren’t just low-caloric but also highly antioxidant in their content. And, really, like any superfood probably should be, blueberries offer up an impressive helping of raw nutrition, as well as many different phytochemical and flavonoid compounds (in other words, the aforementioned antioxidants).

Happily enough, there are many more foods than just blueberries that reputable experts recognise as superfoods. The majority of them tend to be bursting with antioxidants, ensuring they have the potential, once consumed, to help combat diseases and illnesses and, yes, slow the aging process, while a good number of them may also be beneficial for cardiovascular health and normalising the body’s blood sugar.

Three terrific superfoods

So, while there are a large number of known superfoods, here are five of the best known and best respected:

• Mulberries – research has discovered these rich-tasting berries offer up a large helping of anthocyanins (powerful compounds with strong antioxidant properties), as well as being of particular benefit to the body’s blood sugar
• Goji berries – great for stimulating the immune system (they promote the increase of white blood cells), these berries also offer high levels of antioxidants and may help in offsetting specific degenerative illnesses.
• Coconut water – a naturally-occurring beverage that’s so revered for its health-giving properties among those in the know that they refer to it as ‘nature’s sports drink’, coconut water is rich in electrolytes and carbohydrates, which means it’s great for rehydration and replenishment following physical activity (i.e. playing sports or working out).

Additionally, research suggests that it may be capable of boosting L-arginine levels in the body. What’s so good about this? Well, L-arginine is an amino acid that, it seems, can aid cardiovascular health and anxiety response. Plus, coconut water appears to promote lipid levels in the body, which suggests it may just help in fighting against heart disease.

Superfood supplements

Fair enough; it’s all very well and good listing the very best superfoods in existence, but that doesn’t make it any easier to come by them both affordably and regularly. However, your task here might be aided by seeking out reputable, well-reviewed superfood-featuring supplements.

At The Finchley Clinic, a whole section of our products is dedicated to superfoods and, as our loyal customers would expect, we only stock such supplements whose superfood-content is processed as minimally as possible and, thus, resembles its natural state as much as possible. In which case, our superfood supplements – you can be assured – all comprise valuable vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, just like their naturally-occurring sources do. Here are three such examples:

Acai – an antioxidant superfood, which is naturally rich in anthocyanins, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and the Omega 6 and 9 essential fatty acids.

Green Magma (Barley Grass Powder) – available in powder form, this alkalising superfood offers in excess of 20 enzymes, as well as chlorophyll and many vitamins, minerals and amino acids; ensuring it may aid in both digestion and detoxification.

Spirulina – a phyto-plankton superfood that contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA), vitamin B12 and trace amounts of vitamins B3, B5, B6 and E, as well as biotin, inositol and folic acid.

If you struggle to control your weight, chances are you’ve thought to yourself it’d be wonderful to find a sure-fire way to drop a few pounds – or even a few stones. But, of course, as you’re no doubt aware, a fail-safe method to reduce weight is difficult to come by.

A sensible option isn’t just to try to eat less… but to eat *right*. That’s to say, eat the right foods. So, that means cutting out the fast food, pizzas, sugary drinks and high-process foods and replacing them with something altogether more friendly for the health of your body; foods that, as they’re digested, won’t actually fight your body as it tries to stay healthy.

All of which means then, that naturally-occurring foods are, as you may well have guessed, the correct choice here. But just which foods, in particular…?

Fruits

• Bananas – Thanks to being high in fibre and low in calories, bananas are great for weight-loss; it’s also worth bearing in mind that less ripe bananas contain less sugar content than their riper (i.e. older and browner) counterparts.
• Berries – again, the likes of taste-tastic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are fantastic sources for fibre, but are also crammed-full of Vitamin C, antioxidants (especially flavonoids) and smaller amounts of sugar than many other fruits.
• Grapefruit – particularly low in calories and great for fat-burning aims, this fruit – so one scientific study has discovered – aided dieters to significantly reduce their weight via eating half a grapefruit a day over a 12-week period.

Vegetables

• Broccoli – a typical cruciferous vegetable, broccoli is (again) high in fibre and low in calories; plus, it’s full of naturally-health-friendly nutrients. Indeed, experts believe that a single serving of broccoli (heated) will provide as much as twice the recommended amount of Vitamins C and K for daily intake.

Additionally, broccoli holds the distinction of being a negative-calorie food. What does this mean? It takes more calories to digest broccoli than it puts into the body (which, incidentally, is also true of grapefruit).

• Cabbage – another cruciferous vegetable, cabbage is also advantageous in the fibre stakes and, like its other cruciferous vegetable cousins, offers up rare sulphur-based compounds (glucosinolates), which may just offer anti-cancer properties.

Plus, it’s definitely worth mentioning that cabbage tends to be far from the most expensive among highly healthy foods, which may make it a particularly favourable option for many when it comes to doing the weekly shop.

• Cauliflower – a favourite ingredient in low-carb diets because of its reputation for being something of a rice-alternative (thereby potentially reducing carbohydrate levels), cauliflower again delivers in the high fibre department, just as it does in terms of many and various nutrients, including Vitamin C; a crucial component in oxidising (breaking down) saturate fat when you during moderate exercise (thus ensuring cauliflower is, without question, a boon for weight-loss).

An alternative – weight management supplements

Now, it’s worth pointing out that, if you suffer from certain allergies or know you’ll struggle to maintain healthy-eating plans that incorporate specific fruits and vegetables, there is another option. You may want to give the naturally-derived supplement route a go.

The following three products are popular examples of supplements available at The Finchley Clinic, which have been expertly created – wholly, mostly or in-part – to help people to lose weight…

Slimirex – vegan-safe and kosher- and halal-approved, this supplement’s herbal nutrients may help deliver weight loss, when combined with a low-calorie diet and an exercise plan.

Thinner G – a dynamic selection of botanicals that can bring about healthy weight loss via the blocking of sugar-uptake, fats and carbs, while appetite and cravings are also suppressed.

MicroCell Lipotone Intensive – a powder containing CL (conjugated lipoic acid), with l-carnitine and garcinia cambogia, this supplement may aid the natural management of fats and carbohydrates, when used as part of an exercise and dietary regime.

Millions across the globe are constantly on the lookout for ways to boost their health and wellbeing. And many experts are coming around to the conclusion that one of the best methods to improve general health is through improving the welfare of the gut – or, perhaps to use a more descriptive term, the body’s intestinal tract. This is because the intestinal tract is the part of the body not just tasked with digesting food and excreting waste but also, chiefly, with detoxifying harmful substances that have found their way into the body.

To that end then, cleansing the gut is becoming increasingly popular. A proper gut cleanse should comprise three principal stages. First, eliminating food items known to cause digestive issues (we’re talking the usual suspects here – dairy, meat, gluten and other allergens), which should be done while replacing these foods (at least for the cleanse’s duration) with much cleaner, healthier and easier-on-the-gut alternatives – see below for examples.

This is followed by the second stage; the digestive system needs to be flushed of all the unnecessary waste, toxins, and organisms that, over time, have built up in it. And then, the third stage focuses on replenishing all the beneficial organisms the gut needs to remain healthy and function well; in short, naturally-occurring chemicals called probiotics, which you may well have heard of.

Gut cleanse diet options

Two traditional paths you might follow for a diet-driven gut cleanse are a specialist fruit-only diet or a specialist non-fruit diet. Experts suggest that, for best results, the fruit-only route is the one to opt for – this means, ideally, a six-day course that focuses on the likes of apples, avocados, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, grapefruit and oranges.

Alternatively, the non-fruit option will, of course, deliver a more varied diet for the duration of your cleanse (again, for around six days). The idea here is to replace all meat, dairy, eggs, soy, wheat and gluten-rich foods with non-fruit but organic foods – the likes of salads, vegetable soups, raw nuts and seeds.

A gut cleanse alternative

Changing your diet, albeit only for a relatively short period of time, can be difficult. Whether it be due to pre-existing health issues, allergies or the availability (or, rather, lack of availability) of certain foods, following a diet-based gut cleanse may not be the easiest method to give your intestinal tract the clean-out it needs. So, what to do? Well, you may well find that the best answer for you lies in naturally-derived supplementation.

One such supplement solution we recommend trying is the GHC Gut Health Kit. Conceived by Dr Edward Group, who runs the US-based supplementation company, Global Healing Center, it’s a comprehensive 30-day-long programme. The kit comprises step-by-step instructions (including guidelines for initiating and following the 30-day organic diet), as well as a digital copy of Dr Group’s best-selling book, The Green Body Cleanse, and the very best gut health products put together by Global Healing Center and available through us at The Finchley Clinic.

Thanks to these supplement products then, when they purchase the GHC Gut Health Kit and following its 30-day programme, our customers can look to:

• Cleanse and detox the gut – the power of oxygen, released by the great Oxy-Powder supplement, can gently flush the digestive system of its waste and toxins
• Balance the gut’s microbiota – the millions-strong community of helpful bacteria that aids digestion, the immune system and overall health is the microbiota and, via the diverse probiotic and prebiotics strains of the Floratrex supplement, this community can be balanced and strengthened
• Gain digestive system support – the VeganZyme supplement provides a mixture of digestive and systemic enzymes to support digestion and gut health, thanks to the enzymes’ innate ability to break down food and help release the nutrients that the food contains.
• Reduce gut inflammation – the Aloe Fuzion supplement is rich in acemannan, which can soothe the gut and support digestive health; in the wake of previously consumed refined sugar, artificial ingredients, GMOs and other toxic food additives that, together and individually, inflame and irritate the gut lining, promoting ‘bad bacteria’ increase.

All told then, the GHC Gut Health Kit is a highly recommended solution for those seeking a relatively simple, guided gut cleanse. It’s designed to successfully cleanse the intestinal tract, balance the microbiota that resides there (so there’s more ‘good bacteria’ than ‘bad bacteria’), thoroughly reset the gut and ensure that, going forward, the ideal platform’s in place for comfort, peace and wellbeing in the abdominal region – and throughout the rest of the body.

You may well have heard of the hormone that’s cortisol. The likelihood, however, is you’re unclear about exactly what it does – and why it’s bad news if its production level rises too high, with too much of it slopping about your body, and what issues and problems that can cause.

In simple terms, cortisol – because it’s a stress hormone – plays a significant role in the body’s fight-or-flight response. As you may be aware, this concerns how the body reacts in cases of what it deems are threats or, yes, stress. In such situations then, the human body will produce cortisol as a natural response.

To that end, cortisol concerns itself with affecting many different areas of the body, which ensures it boosts heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, blood sugar levels and the rate at which you breathe (so basically, when you’re feeling stressed, a pounding heart, sweating and heavy-breathing is down to cortisol).

But it also has an effect on other processes in the body, such as digestion and reproduction – why? To conserve energy as the body deals with stress or an outside threat. As a part of this, cortisol has a natural tendency to suppress the immune system, the danger of which, of course, is the risk of infection rises.

Causes for increased cortisol levels

What, though, does the body deem an outside threat or a stress cause – is it simply just literal dangers and other stressful situations (i.e. work and family life)? Well, these are the classic things that cause cortisol levels to rise; what’s less obvious is that the likes of not maintaining a healthy enough diet, poor sleep and consuming too much caffeine (coffee) are also highly typical causes.

Moreover, specific drugs and medication may, as a side effect, raise cortisol levels in some people. This can be true of corticosteroids, for instance (which are often taken to treat autoimmune diseases), and it can be true too of birth control pills taken for contraception. And, should you suffer from issues with your body’s adrenal glands or its pituitary gland (located in the brain), cortisol levels, again, can rise, as a result.

Symptoms and disorders – including adrenal fatigue

If your cortisol levels increase too much, it could give rise to several different symptoms to be very wary of – especially as a number of them observed in combination could cause a medical professional to suspect you’re suffering from what’s commonly referred to as Cushing’s syndrome (also known as hypercortisolism)⁴. Above all else, tell-tale signs of Cushing’s syndrome are put-on weight around the middle section of the body, as well as the face and upper back, and, conversely, weight lost from the legs.

Additionally, too much cortisol production can result in another issue you may well have heard of – adrenal fatigue. If in doubt, make a check-list of the following symptoms; a combination of them is likely to suggest dangerously elevated levels of cortisol:

• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar (type 2 diabetes)
• Irregular menstrual cycles and excess hair growth in women (face and elsewhere)
• Mood swings and/ or depression
• Obesity
• Purple stretch marks (stomach and elsewhere)
• Reduced fertility (in men and women)
• Unusual bruising of the skin
• Weakened muscles
• Weight gain (face, chest and stomach)

Managing your cortisol levels

So, we’ve looked at cortisol in the body – and the causes for its increased production in the body and symptoms and issues that creates – but how to manage your cortisol levels? How to keep your body’s cortisol on a healthy, efficient and even keel? Well, trying to control your stress levels is an obvious starting point; albeit a challenging thing to do. Even so, there are different ways you might try to manage stress effectively – improve relationships, do aerobic exercise, take time out to relax and enjoy yourself, meditate and practice yoga and so on.

It’s all about recognising what you can do to improve things, rather than always worrying about what you can’t do to improve things. For instance, sleep tends to be a big factor in controlling stress; so why not aim for better sleep hygiene (i.e. buy a good mattress and pillow and try to keep to a sleep schedule)?

And, don’t doubt it, diet is another area you can target to try and help with everyday stress. When you become stressed, it’s normal to begin craving food that’s packed with fats, sugars and carbohydrates. So, introducing more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and ‘healthy fats’ will help you here (you’ll naturally turn to such foods if they’re commonplace in your diet, whatever your mood). But a big boon of having a healthier diet due to such foods is down to how antioxidant-rich they are; the antioxidants they naturally contain can help to decrease physical stress in the body (or oxidative stress, as it’s known), as well as help to decrease emotional stress. Of course, both of these kinds of stress drive production of cortisol.

Plus, it’s important to remain hydrated – dehydration can raise cortisol levels. And try drinking green tea too; research suggests it may also help lower cortisol levels.

Supplements

Finally, another way to keep your body’s cortisol levels in check is to try supplements, which comprise entirely naturally-sourced ingredients. We stock a wide variety of them at The Finchley Clinic (so check our ‘Adrenal Support’ section); here are a few we highly recommend:

Drive! – comprises Tyrosine that, when combined with co-nutrients, supports the adrenal and thyroid glands and may deliver improved energy, balanced brain chemistry and combat depression.

NADH Rapid Energy – the active coenzyme form of Vitamin B3, NADH provides adrenal support, antioxidants and energy-boosting properties, and may aid heart and immune health, anti-ageing and memory maintenance.

Tulsi Stress Relief – this supplement’s adaptogenic properties encourage a healthy response to stress, boost natural energy production and promote mental wellbeing.

I’ve written newsletters in the past about the scourge of parasites infecting our intestinal tracts, organs and blood, and if you know me, you will know that I tend to regard parasites as “guilty unless proven innocent beyond doubt, even if tests have been carried out which came back ‘negative'”. I am not going to go into the symptoms and types of parasites here, as I like to keep my messages original and different rather than just re-hash what I have written before. Read the article Could Parasites Be Troubling You? if you want to venture into that topic.

Prior to the question of whether it’s better to take capsules or liquids, first here is some information on our top options.

Enula (this one is a liquid)

Enula is a combination of three herbs – Elecampane root, Jalapa root and West Indian Grape that are known to possess powerful anti parasitical properties. Practitioners have reported that Enula is very effective against Round Worms, Guinea Worm, Ascaris and certain species of Babesia, a parasite commonly associated with Borreliosis (Lyme disease). Elecampane contains inulin (44%), a phytochemical that coats and soothes the lining of the bronchial passages and acts as an expectorant in the body. Inulin helps promote beneficial intestinal bacteria, very important since 80% of the immune system is located in the digestive system. The antitussive (cough prevention and treatment) and carminative (soothing effect on the intestinal tract) effects of elecampane may possibly also be due to the inulin and mucilage content. Studies have also shown two other active ingredients in elecampane, alantolactone and isoalantolactone, to be useful in treating parasites, including Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, and Threadworm; this research supports the traditional use of elecampane to treat digestive disorders and parasitic infections. Elecampane root and rhizome contain approximately 1–4% volatile oils. Most of these volatile oils are composed of sesquiterpene lactones, including alantolactone.

Paratrex (this one comes in capsules)

Firstly paratrex contains Black walnut hull which is one of the most potent herbs for removing harmful organisms from the intestinal tract. The high tannin content of the green hull is primarily responsible for this effect. Other constituents such as juglandin, juglone, and juglandic acid are also involved in the purging process. Research suggests black walnut can oxygenate the blood to create a hostile environment to harmful organisms. The green husk also contains organic iodine, which assists the cleansing of harmful organisms. The next ingredient is Wildcrafted Epazote (leaves, seed) which is a herb of choice for attacking and expelling various harmful organisms that take up residence in the intestinal tract. Diatomaceous earth Recently is an interesting ingredient, as there has been an increasing area of interest for its use lie in human and animal applications, particularly for its exciting benefit as a safe and effective anti-parasitic. (Being is rich in silica, it has also been suggested that it may have positive effects on skeletal health and metabolism).Organic Neem used to expel anything that’s unwanted in the body in Ayurvedic medicine more or less as far back as records go. Clove Bud is considered one of the best herbs for killing eggs from harmful organisms and it also discourages fungus. And finally Wormwood, which has been used as an intestinal cleansing herb as far back as 1600 BC. Wormwood creates an extremely hostile environment for harmful organisms in your intestinal tract and promotes healthy digestion by increasing liver and gallbladder secretions. It also contains Fulvic Acid which enhances absorption of everything else.

Aniseed Formula (this one also comes in capsules)

This is our own product and is the most cost effective option of the polyherbal products where money is an object. No, it doesn’t have a sexy label like the above products,it doesn’t have expensive marketing behind it, and its not it’s mass produced. It contains culinary herbs but don’t let that kid you. Lot’s of herbs used in the house (though its often the roots that are used medicinally) are seriously powerful for therapeutic purposes. Its claim to fame is the unique way this, and of The Finchley Clinic herbal range were formulated. As the developer put it “These formulae have been developed because we were dissatisfied with currently available products. Using our test system (Vega Biokinesiology), we find that single herbs “power score” (a measure of efficacy) 5-20, currently available herbal formulae power typically score 15-30, and our formulae power usually score 35-50. We therefore believe that our formulae are up to three times more effective than existing herbal formulae”. This maybe an exaggeration as the industry in general has raised its game in the two decades since he wrote this, but make not mistake, it’s a good product. Formulated for those who want something which combines a mixture of anti-worm, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ingredients. Obviously very useful for those who don’t know what kind of parasites they have (in other words 95% of us). The ingredients are Aniseed, Licorice, Cranberry, Turmeric, Celery Seed, Thyme, Pomegranite, Fennel, Peppermint. People often find this surprising as they are “culinary” and often take the view of “well that obviously can’t do anything” And they are wrong. Take pomegranite for example. It’s rich in the unique tannins punicalin, pedunculagin, punicalagin, which are all antifungal and antiparasitic. The issue here isn’t that the ingredients are ineffective. The issue is that people tend to treat the familiar with contempt.

Stop press: If you are on of the less than 5% of people who SPECIFICALLY know (or at least believe) that your parasite problem is protozoa as opposed to parasites in general, for example B. Hominis please use Pimpinella Formula instead of Aniseed Formula. Our formulator tweaked this one to focus on this particular class of parasite and it would work quicker than Aniseed Formula.

Biocidin (grapefruit seed oil) or Citricidal (grapefruit seed extract)

These are available in both liquid and capsules. This is very useful as an additional product to enhance any of the above for its general anti parasite activity, though my understanding is that its especially good for its ovicidal activity (ovicidal meaning “egg killing”). Also helps candida sufferers as it’s anti-fungal.

These products aren’t the be all and end all. We do have other products you can use. But they are usually my top choices when I am put on the spot.

What should you combine with anti parasite products (apart from a low sugar diet)

Everyone working to eradicate parasites should take one of our colon cleanse products before going to bed or first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.If you’re in London or Hertfordshire (within reasonable distance of my sister clinic, in High Barnet on the London / Herts border) you can also enhance the work with colon hydrotherapy or find a practitioner in your area. We can also recommend people in a few parts of the country, and you can contact us about this if you want to, but via the Contact Us form on the web site NOT by replying to this email. Colonic irrigation is not essential, but it will make everything else you do work quicker.

Secondly, you should take a good probiotic an hour or more away from the herbal products once or twice a day.

Die-Off problems

If you start taking these products and feel rubbish, which happens in a few cases, as the body rids itself of parasitic toxins, please take Burdock Formula (if you prefer capsules) or Burbur-Pinella (if you prefer a liquid). Personally if it were me, I would take double the label dosage no matter which one I used. These are both wonderful general detox products for the blood, lymph, and brain. But I am suggesting them here specifically to help with the ‘die-off’. For those who have strong reactions, they will normally make the entire experience more comfortable. If even if this doesn’t work. then the only option is to use a much slower and gentler approach, in which case you should contact me, and book a consultation (which I’m afraid would be chargeable).

“Is is better to use capsules or liquid products?”

In all honesty, I really don’t think it matters. They both work. What IS important is that you take them persistently for at least 6 weeks. Personally I’d rather you took them for at least 12 weeks, but hey what do I know, I’ve only been doing this stuff my entire adult life. A lot of people ask me how long does it take to get rid of these damn creatures. Well, individual results vary, and if you carry on eating sugar, which tends to feed them, it will take vastly longer than if you don’t (though you will get there in the end either way). It also depends on what sort of thing you’re dealing with. As a general rule worms you can get rid of pretty quickly (under a month, and often much quicker even than that), but protozoa (singled celled bacterial parasites) and candida (a parasitic fungus) take a few months rather than a few weeks.  At least that’s what the man who developed Aniseed Formula maintains, who in my opinion has exceptional knowledge (which even makes me look like a beginner), and in my experience he usually turns out to be right about virtually everything.

That’s it for now. Wishing everyone a healthy parasite free summer

Mark G. Lester
Director
The Finchley Clinic Ltd
www.thefinchleyclinic.com

Like so many things in life, maintaining the health of your intestinal system is all about balance. Too much stress, too many toxins, too many ‘bad bacteria’ and the balance in your gut (small intestine) can tip in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make much to do that – it’s all too easy to encounter stress and toxins in everyday life – so how to turn the balance back in your favour? The answer is probiotics.

Derived from specific fermented foods and supplements, probiotics are adept at helping to detox the intestinal system, digest fibre, generate vitamins and balance the system – and, especially, balance the gut. In the gut then these living bacteria and yeast (which essentially exist in the body in a symbiotic relationship with it) promote a healthy microbiome full of ‘good bacteria’ – health-promoting micro-organisms – resulting in much improved digestion, immunity and mental and emotional wellbeing; when your body’s in better physical balance, so often tends to be your mind.

The benefits of probiotics

There are many and various advantages of populating your gut with probiotics; but some of the most important are that they can:

• boost immune system response
• cancel out the adverse effects of antibiotics (e.g. diarrhoea)
• help improve food digestion and nutrient absorption
• promote lactose tolerance
• improve yeast balance in the gut
• help the body to synthesise (produce) B vitamins and K vitamins.

Research findings

Furthermore, an increasing number of research studies are discovering more and more benefits of probiotics for the body. So, research suggests that by boosting your probiotic levels you might:

• enhance the bioavailability of many nutrients in your body (B vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc)
• drastically reduce constipation, if you’re of advanced age
• reduce the chance of developing upper respiratory tract infections
• possibly boost production of the critical mood-affecting neurotransmitter serotonin, thanks to a healthy, probiotic-rich gut.

Highly recommended probiotics

All of which leads us to how to actually boost probiotic strains in your intestinal tract. Well, a quick, easy and effective way is to take acclaimed, thoroughly naturally-derived probiotic supplements. There are many supplement probiotics on the market, of course; but those that we – and our customers – highly recommend include:

Floratrex – contains live and active cultures from 23 probiotic strains, ensuring it’s one of the most complete, full-spectrum live probiotic formulas in the world.

Bio-Acidophilous Forte Plus – provides 75 billion ‘good bacteria’ per capsule; ensuring each capsule’s the most potent probiotic source of all supplements (backed by scientifically proven stability, safety and efficacy).

Alternatively, please take a look at the many and various products available in our probiotics supplement range.