Monthly Archives: January 2018

Optibac Probiotics, Optibac Probiotics for Babies & Children, Probiotics

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

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

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

 

Probiotic benefits

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

  • Improve response from the immune system2

 

  • Reduce negative effects of taking antibiotics, such as diarrhoea3

 

  • Reduce irritation experienced in the gut after surgery3

 

  • Contribute to better-looking complexion and skin4

 

  • Encourage easier food and drink digestion6

 

  • Positively contribute to upper respiratory health7

 

  • Ease symptoms of lactose intolerance8

 

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

 

  • Promote good vaginal health10

 

  • Enable improved absorption of nutrients from consumed food and drink11

 

  • Support natural, normal bowel movements12

 

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

 

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

 

Probiotic foods

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

Special offer probiotics

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

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

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

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

 

References

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

 

Antioxidants, MegaHydrate, MegaHydrate Powder

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

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

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

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

 

Antioxidant foods

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Unsaturated fat foods

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

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

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

 

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

 

Vitamin and mineral foods

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

Anti-aging supplements

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

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

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

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

 

References

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

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

 

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

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

 

Low stomach acid problems

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

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

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

 

Low stomach acid symptoms

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

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

 

Increasing stomach acid

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

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

 

Stomach acid supplements

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

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

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

 

References

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

 

Pure Pea Vegan Protein, Thinner G, Weight Management

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

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

 

Responsibility and motivation

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

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

 

Weight loss products – which to trust and which not?

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

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

 

Sensible supplements

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Healthy Blood Sugar, NutraMedix Stevia, Weight Management

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

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

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

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

 

What exactly is stevia?

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

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

 

Stevia health benefits

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Stevia supplements

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

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

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

 

References

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