Category Archives: Green Magma

Detoxification, Green Magma, Healthy Gut

The marvel that’s Green Magma: great for detoxification and gut health

It’s all too easy to take vitamins and minerals – in other words the nutrients we consume from healthy foods – for granted. Too often, they don’t seem fun, they don’t seem dynamic and the foods from which they derive don’t seem the exciting, tastiest options come lunch or dinnertime. Taste is subjective, though, of course (and many highly nutritious foods – exotic fruits and delicious vegetables – are, generally speaking, very tasty, indeed), but what’s objective is the importance of nutrients. And what they do for our bodies.

Indeed, it’s all too easy to take this for granted; it’s all too easy, for instance, to take for granted the fact that critical nutrients play a much-needed role in detoxifying the effects of harmful micro-organisms in our bodies. Too often we don’t find that exciting, yet for the good of our health, maybe more of us should. After all, there are nutrient-packed supplements on the market that are highly impressive in the good they can do us thanks to their detoxification capabilities.

 

Green Magma ingredients and nutrients

And one such supplement is Green Magma. Derived from barley grass, it was originally developed by the Japanese scientist Yoshihide Hagiwara, who brought together and encapsulated into this single supplement the many nutrients and phytochemicals of barley grass to boost the body’s energy levels, increase its resistance to disease and improve the health of its skin, nails and hair.

More specifically, this fat-free dietary supplement comprises a trio of main ingredients – barley juice powder, maltodextrin (from tapioca) and brown rice; which means it’s a rich source of the likes of Vitamins A, C and K, folic acid, potassium and chlorophyll, as well as amino acids and enzymes.

So much for what Green Magma contains, but how are these ingredients actually captured from their natural source and Green Magma supplements manufactured? Well, it all comes down to a process of ‘juicing’ and spray-drying barley grass; thus, protecting its nutrients (once they’re fully in powder form) from deteriorating. Additionally, maltodextrin and brown rice are blended in with the supplement’s other crucial ingredients to add texture and prevent them all from falling victim to oxidation.

 

Green Magma benefits

So, in greater detail, here are some of the terrific benefits consumers of Green Magma can take advantage of by incorporating it to their everyday diet:

  • Detoxification – environmental pollutants and other toxins can easily and quickly be consumed by and absorbed into the body in the course of everyday life; the more toxic your insides become due to these chemicals the less impact your immune responses will make and the less successfully will cell division be completed, but possessing so many antioxidant properties (thanks to all its nutrients), Green Magma can help your body to fight back

 

  • A rich mix – it could be that Green Magma offers the vast majority of all the nutrients your body needs; indeed, even in single servings, it possesses greater amounts of calcium, magnesium and Vitamins, A, B1, B2, B3, B6 and C than many types of vegetables, while it’s such an effective antioxidant because it also naturally comprises a whole host of chemicals with dynamic antioxidant properties, including alpha-carotene, beta carotene, catalase, selenium, superoxide dismutase, 2-0-glycosylisovitexin and Vitamins C and E

 

  • Chlorophyll – the chemical that ensures vegetables (and, come to that, many plants in general) appear green, chlorophyll has a history throughout civilisation of being relied on for ensuring blood remains healthy, but in Green Magma (unsurprising perhaps, as it’s a key ingredient in this supplement), it primarily operates as a natural and potent detoxifier

 

  • Cardiovascular function – according to a relatively recent study published in peer-review journal ‘Diabetes and Metabolism’, barley grass supplements (including Green Magma then) may well promote ordinary, good cardiovascular function.

 

Green Magma supplements

Now, it is true that, yes, the dietary supplement market is awash with several different products purporting to contain barley grass – and, thus, they claim to offer its so many beneficial attributes – yet, it’s only actually Green Magma that comprises the active, young barley grass plant that’s so potent. To wit, the following Green Magma products are all available through The Finchley Clinic – and at present they’re at special offer prices too…!

Green Magma (300g) – regular supplementation with Green Magma may improve digestion, increase energy and aid detoxification; manufactured using patented processing methods.

Green Magma (150g) – a less copious version of the green barley juice-derived supplement; for best absorption, mix one teaspoon of Green Magma powder into a glass of water or non-acidic fruit juice (approximately 160ml) 1-2 times per day, then drink the solution 20 minutes before or two hours after a meal.

Green Magma (250 tablets) – the supplement in tablet form; users are advised to take six tablets with water 20 minutes before a meal, twice daily.

 

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.
Crystal Energy, Green Magma, Heavy Metal Reduction, OREA

Toxic fix: protection from and cleansing yourself of heavy metals

When it comes to the danger of being contaminated by toxic (or ‘heavy’) metals, it’s easy to sound like a doom-monger; frankly, though, that’s a risk worth taking – because blithely exposing yourself to such dangerous substances most definitely isn’t.

The truth is, whether we like it or not, many everyday items contain toxic metal at low levels. They can be found in what we eat and drink, as well as the air we breathe (thus, they enter the body through consuming food and drinks, inhaling air and via skin and eye contact). It’s true that our bodies actually require a very small amount of ‘trace metals’ (iron and copper, for instance), but it’s very easy to consume and absorb too much; it’s all too easy because we require so very little.

Continue reading Toxic fix: protection from and cleansing yourself of heavy metals →

Anti-ageing, Green Magma, MSM, OREA

Living life the natural way: anti-ageing diet and supplement solutions

Here’s the bad news: there’s no fountain of youth and, equally, there’s no silver bullet for ageing. As time goes on, we all get older and we all physically age – it’s an inevitable, irreversible fact of life. However, the way you live your life can help minimize the effects of the ageing process as much as is possible. How you live your life – exercising regularly, adopting a good diet and possibly taking the right supplements – can keep your body as fighting fit as it can be while the years pass. To that end then, if you want to call this ‘anti-ageing’, there are things you can do to put it into action.

To start with, your approach should be one of psychology; of perspective. Don’t look on your body as an ageing mass of organs and limbs held together by ever more sagging skin; instead love your body, as the saying goes. Look on it as the well-oiled, incredible machine it is. Many people think of their homes or their cars as their pride of joy; they want them to look as impressive and pleasant and operate as effectively as possible. Why shouldn’t you do the same when it comes to your own body?

An Anti-Ageing Diet

So what does this all mean when it comes to diet? Simple: good nutrition. A person a few years older than someone else is likely to possess a digestion system that’s not quite as efficient. But often this is as much down to diet and lifestyle as to age; too many years of not eating as healthily as you might and not getting all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients possible – and, yes, not getting as much physical activity as you can; no doubt not as much as your youngers self.

But the good news is that exercising more and making positive changes to your diet go hand-in-hand. The more active you are the hungrier you’ll be and the bigger your appetite, while the better you eat the more energetic and positive you’ll feel and, thus, the more up for getting outside and exercising regularly you’ll doubtless become.

As you may have expected, high-quality, organic fruits and vegetables are the way forward, along with healthy proteins and fats, a number of dairy products, whole grain foods and often less salt1.

More specifically, here are some great food ideas for introducing more nutrition to your diet:

  •  Blueberries – truly tasty and packed full of Vitamins C and E, which are antioxidants to combat the likes of harmful free radicals
  •  Broccoli – once declared the healthiest food of all (however that’s actually measured, of course), this vegetable’s chock-full of vitamins, antioxidants and fibre
  •  Fatty fish – we’re talking the likes of sardines, salmon and mackerel here, all of which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are excellent for helping to stave off the threat of heart disease and stroke
  •  Fibre – it’s important to get enough fibre generally from your diet to lower blood pressure, inflammation and cholesterol and reduce the risk of diabetes, as well as ease constipation; that means, in addition to vegetables, throwing into the mix foods like whole grains, bran-based cereals and brown or wholegrain rice
  •  Nuts – also packed with fibre, as well as protein, healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats, nuts make for very heart-healthy food
  •  Olive oil – research from as recent as 2013 suggests that those who regularly consume extra virgin olive oil may see a major reduction in ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL), while their health-enhancing ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) levels may rise
  •  Tomatoes – blessed with lycopene (the phytochemical that makes them red), adding to your diet enough tomatoes may help to prevent the development of both prostate and lung cancer; cooking or mashing your tomatoes may even release more lycopene, experts believe
  •  Yogurt – often a good source of calcium, yoghurt is a food whose contents help to reduce bone-loss as you age; if it’s fortified in Vitamin D, then all the better.

Finally, don’t overlook the incredible health benefits – and, thus, importance to anti-ageing – of water. It may not seem that exciting or exotic, but water remains the most important thing we can put in our bodies (so long as it’s pure and filtered), basically because our bodies are so reliant on it; up to 60% of the human body’s actually made up of water. For instance, drinking more water than you usually do may result in some simple but stark, positive benefits; such as feeling less fatigued, suffering fewer headaches, being able to concentrate for longer and feeling less constipated1. Why? Because these things are all symptoms of dehydration – so stay hydrated, whatever your age!

Anti-Ageing Supplements

As has been hopefully made clear, altering your diet and undertaking decent, regular exercise can work wonders when it comes to staving off the full effects of physical ageing (and the ailments that come with it). Yet, for some, doing these two things isn’t as easy as for others; plus, other people may wish to go the extra mile. In both cases, taking the supplementation route for anti-ageing’s highly advised. The following natural supplements – and many more – can be bought through The Finchley Clinic:

Green Magma 312gGreen Magma (Barley Grass Powder) – a ‘green food’ alkalising powder, this product comprises more than 20 enzymes, as well as a whole host of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, ensuring it aids digestion and detoxification.

 

MSM 500MSM – methylsolfonylmethane (MSM) is believed to help skin, hair and nail growth, enhance connective tissues and joint function, improve enzyme activity, maintain hormone balance and keep the immune system functioning effectively.

 

ZNatural 60mlORËÁ (formerly ZNatural) – taken daily, this supplement can successfully detoxify and cleanse the body, permeating the kidneys and other organs, blood, glands and cellular tissue and supporting the body’s own natural immune defence and disease resistance systems.

 

Reference:

1. Donovan J. ‘Best Foods for Your Anti-Ageing Diet’. Webmd.com. http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/guide/anti-aging-diet#1. Last reviewed: 24 Aug 2016.

Colds and flu, General Health & Nutrition, Green Magma, Probiotics, Winter Health

A gateway to winter illness: treating and preventing a sore throat

It’s something that automatically causes dread in people this time of year – a tickle in or at the back of the throat. The reason? Because, in so many cases, it tends to indicate an oncoming sore throat. Granted, on its own a sore throat’s usually a minor complaint, but too often it’s also a gateway to something that truly has to be endured (a cold, the flu or another type of viral infection), forcing many people to try and battle through work during the cold, dark days of winter while they feel unwell. So what can you do to treat a sore throat – and can you prevent yourself from ever getting one in the first place? Good question…

Causes and symptoms

The causes of a sore throat are many and various. In the vast majority of cases in both adults and children (as many as 95%), the reason for one developing is because of the onset of a virus like the common cold or influenza (the flu)1. Less often but occasionally, a sore throat may be caused by the likes of allergies, dry air, pollution, smoking, tonsillitis or acid reflux 2, 3.

As pointed out then, a sore throat is, of course, a symptom itself, yet owing to the fact some can be more severe than others, it can practically feel like they’re made up of their own various symptoms. For instance, you may merely experience a tickling soreness and a hoarse voice or you might have swollen glands around your throat and neck and find swallowing painful and difficult1. Moreover, you may be suffering from other symptoms in addition to a sore throat, such as congestion, a headache, a runny nose, a fever and even abdominal pain or vomiting. Obviously if you feel your sore throat’s part of something serious, you should consult a doctor – in fact, it’s advisable to do so if it alone lasts more than a week.

Natural remedies

There are several natural sore throat remedies you can turn to:

  • Drink warm beverages – they can moisten and make comfortable an inflamed, painful throat; ordinary tea is an obvious choice here but healthy green or oolong tea are excellent options too
  • Gargle salt water or try garlic – gargling warm water with half a teaspoon of salt is great for quick relief from throat pain4, or how about trying the fantastic health-giving properties of this odourless, aftertaste-free garlic?
  • Honey and black seed oil – research suggests that honey can provide relief to children’s coughs5; just a teaspoon in a drink or on its own will suffice each time and you might add to it two or three drops of black (cumin) seed oil, as it’s anti-inflammatory so ought to further aid pain relief6, 7
  • Essential oils – inhaling the vapours of myrrh8 and eucalyptus are recommended for a sore throat, as is gargling with the former; while applying two drops of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender oil) to the back of the tongue may also prove effective
  • Spices – both turmeric and ginger have been recognised for centuries for their therapeutic aspects9; as such, ginger is thought to alleviate sore throat pain, while turmeric contains the soothing component that’s curcumin (see many of the products we stock that contain turmeric and curcumin here)10.

Prevention

Finding natural resources for relief to a sore throat’s all well and good, but what about preventing one from developing in the first place? Well, you might try to limit your exposure to people whom seem to be ill and could give you one, but this isn’t always particularly practical. However, making sure to wash your hands regularly and avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke are easier achievable aims that’ll cut the likelihood of a sore throat.

Meanwhile, a failsafe way to reduce the chances of catching a cold, the flu or putting yourself at risk from sore throat-causing viruses and infections is to try and boost your body’s immunity. To that end, introducing into your diet cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, bok choy and cauliflower)11 and carotenoid-rich tomatoes12 comes highly advised.

Supplements

That said; it ought to be pointed out that some people have dietary constraints, so it may be best for them to boost the infection-combating Vitamins B and C in their bodies – as well as improving or maintaining their immunity – via vitamin supplements. The following are all advisable and available through us at The Finchley Clinic:

Aerobic O7 (70ml) – nascent oxygen, when taken as Aerobic O7, prompts the formation of white blood cells, which are critical in helping the body fight infections.

vitamin-c-ultra-pure

Tapioca Vitamin C (90 capsules) – contains the immune-building and infection-fighting Vitamin C.

Echinacea Cold Flu Relief (capsules) – a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve symptoms of the common cold and flu-type infections; can be used in combination with our Liquid Oxygen products (including Aerobic O7) and others.

 

References

1. Worrall G. J. ‘Acute Sore Throat’. Canadian Family Physician 53.11 (2007): n.pag.
2. CDC. ‘Sore throat’. Centers for Disease Control. CDC. 23 July 2015.
3. ‘Sore throat’. Medline Plus. National Library of Medicine. 21 Oct 2016.
4. ‘Strep throat’. Medline Plus. 2 Dec 2016.
5. Paul I. M. et al. ‘Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents’. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine. 161.12 (2007): 1140–6.
6. Ali B. H. and Blunden G. ‘Pharmacological and Toxicological Properties of Nigella Sativa’. Phytotherapy Research 17.4 (2003): 299–305.
7. Padhye S., Banerjee S., Ahmad A., Mohammad R. and Sarkar F. H. ‘From Here to Eternity – the Secret of Pharaohs: Therapeutic Potential of Black Cumin Seeds and Beyond’. 6.b (n.d.) (2008): 495–510.
8. El Ashry E. S. H., Rashed N., Salama O. M. and Saleh A. ‘Components, therapeutic value and uses of myrrh’. Die Pharmazie – An International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Avoxa – Mediengruppe Deutscher Apotheker GmbH, 1 Mar. 2003.
9. Baliga M. S., Haniadka R., Pereira M. M., D’Souza J. J., Pallaty P. L., Bhat H. P. and Popuri S. ‘Update on the Chemopreventive Effects of Ginger and Its Phytochemicals’. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 51.6 (2011): 499–523.
10. Lim T. K. ‘Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 12 Modified Stems, Roots’. N.p.: Springer. 2016.
11. Veldhoen M. and Brucklacher-Waldert V. ‘Dietary Influences on Intestinal Immunity’. Nature reviews. Immunology. 12.10 (2012): 696–708.
12. Watzl B., Bub A., Brandstetter B. R. and Rechkemmer G. ‘Modulation of Human T-Lymphocyte Functions by the Consumption of Carotenoid-Rich Vegetables | British Journal of Nutrition | Cambridge Core’. British Journal of Nutrition 82.5 (1999): 383–389.

Colosan, Detoxification, Green Magma

Take on the toxins and win: how to detox – and why you should

The idea of a ‘detox’ is something many of us are familiar with, thanks to it having become trendy with celebrities and so a term that’s bandied about in the media all the time. But how many of us really know what it involves and, more importantly, why it can do us so much good?

In simple terms, a detox – short for ‘detoxification’ – is a process where someone makes lifestyle choices and changes to remove toxins from their body. It often involves abstaining from things that tend to harm the body’s functions in order to optimise how they work.

Toxins

So what exactly are toxins? By and large, they’re all the chemicals and metals, artificial food ingredients, pesticides and pollutants that find their way into the body and cause it harm1. Indeed, it’s likely the health issues many people suffer from can be traced back to the toxins that have built up in their bodies over time2, 3, 4.

How so? Well, whether you like it or not, it’s pretty much impossible to protect yourself from every single toxin out there; that’s because they’re in all the water, food and air we consume. But, as much as it can, your body does counteract their harmful effects through its own natural detoxification processes. And through regular cleansing – or detoxification – you can aid these processes in their work.

How your body detoxes

Of all the body’s systems (for instance, the respiratory and digestive systems), it’s the excretory system that’s involved in detoxification the most – through, yes, defecation and urination. And the main organs involved in this system are the large intestine, the kidneys, the liver, the lungs and the skin5.

The skin? Yes, it eliminates toxins through sweat glands6. Meanwhile, the liver filters general waste, hormones, drugs and other foreign bodies7, the lungs are pivotal in removing carbon dioxide (through us breathing out)8, the kidneys filter the blood, aiding waste removal via urination9 and, finally, the large intestine (after absorbing water and nutrients from food) then converts the remaining waste into stool, which is expelled through the anus10. When it comes down to it, your body’s working to detoxify itself every second of every day – indeed, even your brain actively flushes out toxins during your hours spent in the land of nod11.

How you can detox

Surely then, understanding the importance of detoxification – and how the body does it – underlines the onus on us to help out our bodies in this process. So how exactly can we?

  • Exercise and relax – exercising makes you sweat, thus releasing toxins through the skin, while relaxation (and even meditation) combine with exercise to reduce stress, which just like harmful chemicals can be toxic to us
  • Purify the air – attempting to control the air in your home and work areas is far from a bad idea because good ventilation helps eradicate smoke, fumes, mould, pet dander and micro-organisms from getting into our lungs and harming us; if air-purification equipment’s a bit pricey for you (or not possible at work) then you could turn to house plants, which are great at filtering the air and removing toxins12
  • Drink water – good old H2O is a hugely powerful weapon in your detoxification arsenal, as much because your body’s most fundamental processes can’t take place without it13; moreover, water’s critical to the creation of saliva and sweat and ensuring waste removal takes place14
  • Healthy diet – be aware that genetically modified (GMO) foods, pesticides and processed foods may contain harmful toxins, so opt instead for the likes of fresh juices, garlic, raw nuts, seeds, broccoli, lemon, mung beans, sprouts and other organic fruit and veg, all of which are great for detoxing.

Supplementation

Finally, another option to help you detox is supplementation. Remember that, when turning to detox supplements, you’re looking to focus on products that’ll help remove harmful organisms, chemicals and toxic metals and, ideally, aid the cleansing of your colon, liver and kidneys. To that end, the following supplements are all recommended and available through The Finchley Clinic:

9-day-detox-pack9 Day Detox (capsules) – provides a blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and liver digestive nutrients all in a handy blister strip

colosan-capsulesColosan (120 or 40 capsules/ powder) – a magnesium oxygen product that gently releases oxygen into the digestive tract to cleanse the bowel and ease constipation; may also help with candida and parasites

green-magmaGreen Magma (Barley Grass) (300g, 150g, 80g or 30g powder/ 250 tablets) – regular supplementation may improve digestion, increase energy and aid detoxification

ORËÁORËÁ (formerly ZNatural) (60ml and 30ml) – a natural toxin remover for the whole body, including the blood, organs, glands and cellular tissue.

 

References:

  1. ‘What You Know Can Help You – An Introduction to Toxic Substances’. New York Department of Health. New York State, Oct 2013.
  2. ‘Causes of Food Poisoning’. Foodsafety.gov. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n.d.
  3. ‘National Biomonitoring Program: Toxins’. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Dec 2012.
  4. ‘Toxic Substances Portal: Asbestos’. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Mar 2011.
  5. ‘Reference Terms: Excretory System’. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 16 Mar 2016.
  6. Sears M. E., Kerr K. J. and Bray, R. I. ‘Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury in Sweat: A Systematic Review’. Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2012 (2012): 184745. PMC.
  7. ‘Normal Liver Physiology’. Brown University Division of Biology and Medicine. Brown University, n.d.
  8. ‘What Are the Lungs?’ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health, 17 July 2012.
  9. ‘Large Intestine (colon)’. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 Dec. 2015.
  10. ‘Aging Changes in the Kidneys and Bladder: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia’.MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 27 Oct 2014.
  11. ‘Brain May Flush out Toxins during Sleep | National Institutes of Health (NIH)’.National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 17 Oct 2013.
  12. Luz C. ‘Planting Healthier Indoor Air’. Environmental Health Perspectives 119. 10 (2011): a426–a427. PMC.
  13. ‘Water – a Vital Nutrient’. Better Health Channel. Department of Health & Human Services, State Government of Victoria, May 2014.
  14. ‘Water in Diet: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia’. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 July 2015.
Awake Food 60s, Body Balance, Drive!, Energy boosters, Green Magma, Vitamins & Minerals

Exercise, cleansing and supplements: tips on boosting your energy

Surely all of us know when we’re done in at the end of the day and it’s time for bed. But what if a good night’s sleep isn’t enough? What if, despite however many hours’ slumber you get several nights in a row, you still feel shattered? Well, if that’s the case, you’ll be suffering from chronic fatigue – and there’s definitely something wrong.

That’s because the production and use of energy in the body depends on cellular function – which, in turn, requires the consumption, absorption and transformation of vitamins and minerals – thus suggesting all’s not well in your cells. In fact, when your cells are struggling to produce the energy they ought to be, they can become damaged and die, leaving you low on energy yourself.

So what’s causing the problem? There can be several reasons for constant depleted energy – anything from thyroid or adrenal issues to parasites in your digestive system or candida overgrowth to deficiencies in Vitamin B12, chromium, magnesium or iron.

There is hope, however. The following body-enriching activities are highly advised. They’re all excellent – and, many of them, necessary for – boosting energy and helping to keep your mind sharp:

  • Exercise
  • Maintaining a natural, organic diet
  • Hydration through drinking water
  • Regular cleansing of the colon and liver
  • Keeping your hormones balanced
  • Massaging your muscles and body.

Not the best ideas for boosting energy

Conversely, they are a few died-in-the-wool, not so good methods many of us fall back on to supposedly boost our energy levels. Yes, we’re talking the ‘essential’ morning coffee and energy drinks here. Now, while the caffeine and sugar of coffee and energy drinks work as stimulants to ‘wake you up’, the effect is always short-term and will eventually lead to an energy crash. Moreover, caffeine is a powerful drug that results in dependence and puts stresses on the body’s adrenal glands and its endocrine system. When it comes down to it both these so-called energy boosters are mostly nutritionally deficient.

Better ideas for boosting energy

So, for a more effective, less harmful dietary-based energy boost, you’d do better focusing on getting more of these nutrients:

Vitamin B12

You really can’t overstate how much the body needs Vitamin B12. Without it, cellular energy creation (alternatively referred to as the ‘citric acid cycle’ or ‘Kreb’s cycle’) simply wouldn’t take place. The drawback for the body, though, is that it can’t create the vitamin itself – it must draw it from dietary intake. To wit, great natural sources for B12 are red meat, dairy, mussels and clams.

Chromium

Especially helpful in the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream to cells in order to transform proteins, carbohydrates and fats into energy, chromium occurs in a variety of different foods including fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes (not least their skins), whole-grain breads and cereals, meats, cheeses and spices. Moreover, consuming hard tap water and using stainless-steel cookware can increase your chromium intake.

Iodine

Important in the body’s regulation of hormones, iodine is used by the thyroid to form triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), a pair of hormones that are crucial in normalising the levels of other hormones. In general, hormones are critical for keeping the body’s metabolism working efficiently and ensuring energy creation. For dietary sources of iodine, look to seafood and sea vegetables like dulse seaweed and wakame, as well as dark leafy greens.

Iron

Essential for the transportation of oxygen in your blood to tissues and organs, iron helps cells make energy by ensuring the oxygen they need reaches them. Traditionally, red meat was considered a good source for iron, but many people tend to consume less of it nowadays owing to its negative effect on cholesterol levels and heart-health. It’s true that certain fruits and vegetables (including broccoli, spinach, prunes and beans) also comprise iron, but at lower levels, hence why vegetarians can sometimes suffer from iron deficiency without realising it – as well as non-vegetarians who don’t eat red meat, of course.

Magnesium

Necessary to ensure cells activate adenosine triphosphate (ATP – the so-called ‘molecular unit of currency of intracellular energy transfer’), magnesium’s another hugely important mineral.Indeed, it was discovered in a recent study that for postmenopausal women, low magnesium levels directly correlate with low energy and can make completing basic physical tasks difficult1. When it comes to your diet it’s best to get your magnesium fill from spinach, almonds, sesame and pumpkin seeds, avocados and quinoa.

Supplements

Unfortunately, for different reasons, people aren’t always able to get the above minerals from their diets alone (in the manner of non-red-meat-eaters missing out on iron). In which case, a good substitute for energy boosters can be supplementation – and the following supplements are all available via The Finchley Clinic:

Awake_Food_60_Capsules

Awake Food 60s (60 capsules) – designed specifically to drive up the body’s energy levels and improve the mind’s alertness, this supplement’s formula contains B Complex vitamins (not just B12, but also B3, B5 and B6), three forms of ginseng and reishi mushroom

body-balance-powder

Body Balance (powder/ 420g) – supports a healthy metabolism by combining chromium, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), L-carnitine and high-quality whey protein to boost blood glucose and energy levels

Drive-180-capsules

Drive! (180, 90 and 30 capsules) – provides a combination of different nutrients to increase energy levels and help balance brain chemistry, including Vitamins B12, B3 and C, tyrosine, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese and folic acid

Green Magma (Barley Grass Powder) – a staple food of several different civilisations for thousands of years, green barley grass has been popular for so long because of its energising and anti-ageing properties, which isn’t surprising given it contains Vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12, as well as at least 50 minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium; available as a 10-day trial pack in 300g, 150g and 80g packs and in tablet form (250).

Reference:

  1. Garrido-Maraver J., Cordero M. D., Oropesa-Avila M. et al. ‘Clinical applications of coenzyme Q10’. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). Jan 1 2014. 19: 619-33.