Category Archives: Latero-Flora

Detoxification, Latero-Flora, Livatrex, Oxy-Powder

Supplements Versus Toxins: The Importance of A Liver Cleanse

You’d probably be hard pressed to find anyone who’s unaware their liver processes the toxins they put in their body. Yet it may not occur to many of them that, should they be putting too many toxins in their body, it’ll be putting undue stress, wear and tear on their liver. A healthy liver is vital to ensuring a healthy body; and to ensure a healthy liver, you need to take care of it because, although it may be your body’s toxin processor, it’s not toxic-proof – indeed, nothing is.

Whichever way you look at it then, despite society deeming it normal to maintain a diet of alcoholic indulgence and nutrient-deficient, sugar-rich processed foods, living a toxin-laden lifestyle is not normal biologically speaking. As far as your body’s concerned, it’s abnormal. It overburdens the liver, thus potentially causing problems to the body as a whole, with toxins not just overwhelming the liver but finding their way into all sorts of other nooks and crannies of the body.

To that end, detoxification is becoming increasingly recognised as a sensible, nay necessary activity for the body and, of course, the liver especially. But how do you go about such a toxin cleanse – or, in this case specifically, a liver cleanse? What steps should you follow…?

Step 1: Cut out the toxins

An obvious place to start, sure; but first things first, you have to cut out the processed goods and refined sugars and reduce your alcoholic in-take. By over-indulging in these foods and fluids you might as well be waging war on you liver; that’s how it’ll feel for the poor thing anyway. Call a truce and strike peace with this most essential of your body’s organs – and give it far less to do and the opportunity to have a far easier time of it. How about, instead of the toxic foods and drinks, giving the likes of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables a try? Such toxin-free and liver-friendly foods will help happily push the process along – and tend to taste great too!

Step 2: Give herbs a go

Herb-based remedies have been relied on by specialists in indigenous and other cultures for many centuries as therapies to – wittingly or not – aid in removing toxins from the liver and, therefore, for the stimulation of bile, an alkaline fluid the gastrointestinal system produces to help digestion.

Dandelion-Formula

Granted, herbal remedies don’t detoxify the liver on their own, but they could be said to act as detox agents, as they encourage and help mobilise the natural functions of the liver to start cleansing itself. To that then, consuming herbs like organic dandelion root and leaf and turmeric are an important second step in ensuring improved liver health.

Step 3: Go organic

The drawback with relying on herbal remedies, however, is that they can be pricey. Unfortunately, unless you can find them at affordable prices in a health food shop or online, good quality organic foods in their natural form tend to be expensive – and, don’t doubt it, it’s always best to invest in pure, high quality herbs and extractions. Sure, you might be able to buy discount peppermint extract, for instance – but, if it hasn’t been grown in a natural way and so isn’t genuinely organic, how many of the natural benefits (the whole point of purchasing it) are you going to derive from the product? That said, forking out a small fortune for hard-to-get-hold-of herbs and the like isn’t the only way you to go organic – you could alternatively take the supplement route.

livatrex

And, of all the liver cleanse supplements available, the ideal one to go for is Livatrex – available through us at The Finchley Clinic. An all-natural blend of 100% organic and wild-crafted herbs, its formulation is specifically designed to support and drive the natural process of detoxifying, flushing and purging the liver of built-up toxins, fatty deposits and any accumulated stones.

Latero-Flora-60

Moreover, for a great liver cleanse, you can combine Livatrex with the additional supplements Oxy-Powder and Latero-Flora. The former is terrific for helping to loosen intestinal build-up and so aiding the release of toxic substances from the liver, as well as unwanted waste materials, while the latter helps and supports normal digestive function and assists the body in maintaining beneficial colonies of the ‘good bacteria’ that improve health. A win-win all round then for your liver cleansing efforts!

Detoxification, Latero-Flora, Oxy-Powder, Probiotics

Back down to earth with a bump: the January detox and what alcohol does to the gut and liver

If anything defines the seasonal period then it might be said to be indulgence. All that rich food, piled up on plate after plate and meal after meal. And, of course, all that alcohol too. Alcoholic consumption spikes at this time of year and, although there’s nothing wrong with having a good time and unwinding (in fact, it can obviously be good for your health), overindulging in food and drink can be very bad for your health. Especially if you do it often.

No surprise then that in January people can feel like they’ve come back down to earth with a bump and, thus, gut detoxification – or detox as it’s often known – is especially popular with them during that month. And done right; it’s far from a bad idea.

Alcohol-derived gut and liver problems

It’s widely known that excessive – or even unmoderated, regular consumption of – alcohol can cause many health problems. To be fair, there really are too many of them to cover properly in a single article like this, so let’s focus on just a few and, in particular here, one: what effect alcohol can have on what the gastrointestinal system – dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance in the gut)1.

You may not know but the gastrointestinal tract contains an entire ecosystem of bacteria, which are often referred to as gut microbiota. When we think of bacteria, we often only think of ‘bad’ harmful bacteria (the sort that are the basis of infections, for instance) and, sure, they form an amount of the microbiota in the gut, but it’s also made up of ‘good’ healthy bacteria (the sort that form the basis of probiotics that many people take to ensure good gut health). When taken together then, these microbiota are critical for successful digestion, good immunity and even mental health2.

Now, while it’s fairly widely known that an unhealthy diet rich in refined sugars and artificial additives can negatively affect this microbiota balance (tip the scales too much in favour of the ‘bad’ bacteria over the ‘good’ bacteria), too much alcohol can also contribute to this negative imbalance, upsetting and disrupting the equilibrium and intestinal environment3. In addition to dysbiosis, though, overconsumption of alcohol can lead to gut permeability – or ‘leaky gut syndrome’4.

What’s this? Well, it sees ‘bad’ bacteria escape the gut through thin membranes and into other parts of the body (bacterial translocation)3, which can lead to inflammatory issues and injuries in the liver, as well as elsewhere in the body5. And, while we’re on the subject of the liver, too much alcohol can also result in cirrhosis (scarring of the organ) and fatty liver disease (when more than 5-10% of the organ’s weight is fat)6.

How can you protect your gut from alcohol?

Before we go on, it’s probably only fair to address the fact that some experts believe alcoholic consumption, in the form of drinking red wine in moderation, is good for you and can ‘promote’ gut health, owing to it containing polyphenols (chemicals that naturally occur in plants and possess antioxidant properties)2. Indeed, a particular study suggests that red wine increases Bifidobacterium and Prevotella levels in the gut, thus lowering the levels of plasma lipopolysaccharides (an endotoxin whose presence in the intestinal tract triggers an immune response)7.

However, it’s fair to say that, in general, the less alcohol you drink the better for your body it’s going to be. So the trick is not to overconsume alcohol at any time of the year, eat a decent amount of highly healthy, green, leafy vegetables and whole, raw foods. Moreover, you might consider taking a recommended probiotic supplement to promote the growth of ‘good’ bacteria and ensure a balanced gut environment.

Supplements

Speaking of which, if you feel in need of something of a body cleanse or detox following an indulgent Christmas and/ or New Year, the following detox supplements may interest you – they’re available through The Finchley Clinic:

oxy-powder-120-capsules

Oxy-Powder (120 capsules) – a high quality oxygen based colon cleanser that helps promote friendly intestinal flora

latero-flora-60-capsules

Latero-Flora (60 capsules) – its probiotic ingredients help establish friendly colonies that contribute to good health and systemic function and support optimum digestion and helps you absorb more nutrients from food.

References

  1. Mutlu E. A., Gillevet P. M., Rangwala H., Sikaroodi M., Naqvi A., Engen P. A., Kwasny M., Lau C. K. and Keshavarzian A. ‘Colonic microbiome is altered in alcoholism’. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2012 May 1; 302 (9): G966-78. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00380.2011.
  2. Engen P. A.; Green S. J., Voigt R. M., Forsyth C. B., and Keshavarzian A. ‘The Gastrointestinal Microbiome: Alcohol Effects on the Composition of Intestinal Microbiota’. Alcohol Res. 2015; 37(2): 223–236.
  3. Medscape. ‘Alcohol and Gut Microbiota’. medscape.com Pharmacol Ther. 2015; 41 (10): 917-927.
  4. Bode C. and Bode J. C. ‘Effect of alcohol consumption on the gut’. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2003 Aug; 17(4):575-92.
  5. Purohit V., Bode J. C., Bode C., Brenner D. A., Choudhry M. A., Hamilton F., Kang Y. J., Keshavarzian A., Rao R., Sartor R. B., Swanson C., and Turnerk J. R. ‘Alcohol, Intestinal Bacterial Growth, Intestinal Permeability to Endotoxin, and Medical Consequences’. Alcohol. 2008 Aug; 42 (5): 349–361.
  6. Alzheimer’s Association. ‘Korsakoff Syndrome’. Alzheimer’s Association. 2016.
  7. Clemente-Postigo M., Queipo-Ortuño M. I., Boto-Ordoñez M., Coin-Aragüez L., Roca-Rodriguez M. M., Delgado-Lista J., Cardona F., Andres-Lacueva C. and Tinahones F. J. ‘Effect of acute and chronic red wine consumption on lipopolysaccharide concentrations’. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 May; 97(5):1053-61. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.051128.
Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Latero-Flora, Saccharomyces boulardii

Bad triggers and good habits: dietary tips for living with IBS

Do you find you get constipation, bloating, diarrhoea or abdominal pain – or even all four – more often than you assume is normal? If so, there’s a chance you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In fact, given it’s something of an umbrella-like gastrointestinal complaint, the likelihood is a good number of people suffer from it without even realising.

Indeed, statistics suggest IBS occurs more often in women than men and, as far as we know, it affects 10-15% of the population of the United States alone1. However, sufferers shouldn’t despair because in an effort to control – or even to try and prevent – flare-ups of symptoms (or ‘triggers’) there are things they can do to help ensure the condition doesn’t dominate their lives. Many of these take the form of lifestyle adjustments and a good number of them concern what we put in our bodies; in other words, diet.

In practice, as you might expect, no single experience of IBS is the same for every sufferer, but a number of the dietary triggers can be, so it’s important to be aware of them.

Dietary triggers

Two of the most painful – and common – IBS symptoms are constipation and diarrhoea. Specifically to prevent constipation, be mindful to limit or avoid eating/ drinking trigger-foods such as:

  • processed foods – including snacks like crisps and pastries like cookies
  • breads and cereals derived from refined (non-whole) grains
  • dairy foods – especially cheeses
  • alcohol, carbonated drinks and coffee

Meanwhile, to prevent IBS-related diarrhoea specifically, be mindful not to overdo how much you eat each meal and try to limit or avoid consuming trigger-foods such as:

  • gassy foods like beans, Brussels sprouts, celery, raisins and wheat germ
  • food rich in insoluble fibre, for instance fruit and vegetable skin
  • alcohol, caffeinated drinks, chocolate and foods containing fructose or sorbitol
  • fried and fatty food
  • dairy products – especially if you’re lactose intolerant
  • wheat (if you don’t react well to gluten)

Good dietary habits

Conversely, there are several things you can try and make part of your regular diet that can prevent flare-ups and even soothe an IBS-afflicted gut and intestinal system:

  • probiotic-rich fermented foods – one of the ways you might find relief from IBS is to create strong probiotic colonies in your gut, especially if you’re having to cut dairy out of your diet; turning to fermented food with high levels of probiotics is one way, while another is to seek out probiotic supplements
  • organic green beans – a good source of soluble fibre
  • organic raw honey – a fine natural sweetener to replace refined sugar in your diet
  • coconut milk – for those with lactose intolerance especially, replacing cow’s milk with coconut milk can yield significantly positive results; other organic alternatives you might look to could be hemp milk, rice milk or sunflower milk
  • egg whites – unlike yolks, whites are relatively easy to digest and not high in fat
  • green tea – why not give it a go in place of heavily caffeinated and carbonated drinks?
  • lemon juice – offers great nutritional value to the liver and has digestive cleansing properties, plus offers a nice flavour when added to water
  • organic brown rice – far more nutritious and thus better for the gut than white rice; it also contains soluble fibre thus it works to encourage normal bowel function

IBS supplements

As mentioned above, to get your necessary fill of good bacteria toting-probiotics, an excellent source is via supplementation. The following – and more – are all available through The Finchley Clinic and are highly recommended by our customers:

bio-kult-120-capsules

Bio-Kult (120, 60 and 30 capsules) – helps to balance the gastrointestinal system against pathogenic, harmful organisms by introducing 14 beneficial probiotic bacteria into the gut; may aid sufferers of candida, gut dysbiosis and post-antibiotic diarrhoea as well as IBS

latero-flora-60-capsules

Latero-Flora (60 capsules) – contains a unique strain of Bacillus laterosporus, a naturally occurring bacteria whose introduction to the gut may maintain a healthy colon, especially in the face of IBS

optibac-probiotics-for-bowel-calm

Saccharomyces boulardii (formerly OptiBac Probiotics For bowel calm) (80, 16 and 8 capusles) – an acclaimed probiotic that naturally helps support bowel health, control and function during diarrhoea episodes; we advise IBS sufferers to take 1 capsule daily

Reference

1. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. ‘Definition and Facts for Irritable Bowel Syndrome’. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases.

Acid Reflux Supplements, Digestive Enzyme, Digestive Enzyme Supplements, Latero-Flora, Probiotics, Treat Acid Reflux, Vegan HCl, VeganZyme

Ease your digestion: tips to avoid acid reflux

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In some cultures, belching during or after consuming food is perfectly acceptable; a sign that you’ve enjoyed and are satisfied by a meal. The truth is that everybody’s liable to belch at some time or another, not least after eating. However, excessive belching isn’t good; not only isn’t it particularly endearing, socially speaking, but also if – in extreme cases – it’s accompanied by heartburn and even chest pain, it could signify you’re suffering from acid reflux.

A rather violent sounding disorder, acid reflux is a long-term condition that sees stomach contents (both food and gastric acids) splash back up into the oesophagus. If experienced regularly, it could irritate and even harm the oesophagus, potentially scarring this tube between the mouth and stomach and cause ulceration, swelling or haemorrhaging. Indeed, in the worst case scenario, it could put you on the road to developing oesophegael cancer.

So what measures can you take to put an end to acid reflux? In addition to seeing a health practitioner, here are some suggestions…

Balance your HCl levels

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) may sound a bit frightening, but it’s nothing to be worried about – it’s a mineral acid combing hydrogen, chlorine and water. In fact, your body naturally produces it and should you be successful in encouraging it to create more HCl, then it could prove an important step in reducing acid reflux symptoms. In order to balance your body’s HCl level you may consider switching ordinary table salt for high-quality sea salt; moreover, you may look to supplementation for help – see at the bottom of this article.

Switch up your diet

If you want to bring on acid reflux and exacerbate its symptoms, one of the best ways to go about it is to consume lots of processed foods and sugars – this, as much as (if not more than) anything else, helps to establish and maintain bacterial imbalance in the gastrointestinal system. So how instead can you generate bacterial balance? Well, obviously cut out a lot of those processed food and sugars and try to replace them with fresh, organic fruit and veg. Again, read to the end of this post for a specific probiotic supplement – available through The Finchley Clinic – that’ll augment the good work of those dietary adjustments.

Boost your enzyme intake

Enzymes are terrific for effective digestion and occur naturally in raw food; unfortunately the act of cooking these foods destroys them and all the health-providing goodness they offer – cooking anything above 47°C is enough to do so (to give you an idea, Gas Mark 3 is approximately four times as hot as that). Obviously, nobody would suggest you shouldn’t adequately cook the food you eat, but maybe you could introduce more fresh and/ or raw food into your diet (like fruit). Also, you might like to look at the supplement possibilities in this area – once more, check the bottom of this article for our suggestion.

Further tips to treat acid reflux

  • Organic apple cider vinegar – add raw organic apple cider vinegar with four ounces of purified water (resulting in a tablespoon’s worth) and consume it before each meal; it’s not idea for easing acid reflux symptoms, calming the stomach and aiding digestion in cases of low stomach acid
  • Organic aloe vera – another soother when it comes to acid reflux, aloe vera helps calm the stomach, ease diarrhoea and relieve the redness that comes not just with acid reflux, but also bowel conditions like ulcerative colitis
  • Cleanses – if you’re constantly suffering from acid reflux (and have the time and patience), it may be a good idea to try some body cleanses, such as a colon cleanse, a liver cleanse, a harmful organism cleanse and a chemical and toxic metal cleanse.

Supplements

As noted above, there are also some acid reflux supplements you might give a go to alleviate symptoms and tackle underlying digestive issues:

BioCarbonate (90 capsules) – an alkalising complex whose carbonates help to maintain the correct pH (acidity) for efficient enzymatic activity and digestion, thus may reduce hyper-acidity in the stomach.

Marshmallow Formula (60 capsules) – contains botanical marshmallow_formulaingredients which may help maintain normal intestinal permeability; it combines well with our products for candida balancing and may also be suitable for leaky gut, food intolerance and gut inflammation issues.

latero-flora-60-capsules

Latero-Flora (60 capsules) – a probiotic that helps balance the bowel with good bacteria; it nicely complements a well-balanced, natural diet thanks to safely assisting the maintenance of beneficial micro-organism colonies to improve gut health and digestive system function, thus may help to tackle the underlying causes of acid reflux.