Candidiasis, commonly known as Candida is a yeast overgrowth within the body. Candida, is related to the mould family, a fungus that is found almost everywhere within our environment. The relative of the fungus, Candida Albicans, is known to live in mucous membranes, such as ears, eyes, bladder, intestines, lungs, stomach and vagina, and it is easily recognised as a white/white yellow coating on the tongue.
We have trillions of friendly organisms, usefully serving their purpose in the body by effectively identifying and destroying harmful bacteria. Here under healthy conditions, Candida is kept under control by friendly bacteria and by the body's immune defences collectively, however under stressful situations or poor lifestyle choices, Candida can easily take control and overgrow causing catastrophic health issues.
There is a vast array of symptoms associated with Candida, far too many to mention, however some of the most common being:
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms and suspect you may have Candida, please contact us.
Here at Nutrition to Go, we have conclusive means of testing for Candida, by means of a consultation, followed by an environment and food sensitivity testing. You can however get a good idea of what is going on by doing a simple test at home by trying the following:
First thing in the morning, before eating, drinking or cleaning your teeth, fill a clear and see through glass with bottled water that has been standing in room temperature.
After working up a bit of saliva, (this may take a bit of time as your mouth will be dry), spit it into the glass of water.
Check the water every 15 minutes or so for up to one hour to see the reaction of your saliva and how your saliva develops (see diagram below).
If you see strings/fibres (like legs) travelling down from the surface of the water, you may have a Candida problem. Other results such as suspended cloudy specks (particles suspended in the water) or cloudy saliva that sinks to the bottom of the glass, also suggests you may have a Candida problem.
As well as taking a full consultation with us, an environmental and food intolerance test will be offered by one of our qualified health practitioners; this will help us identify the underlying cause of disease.
Here at Nutrition to Go, we offer tailored nutrition and lifestyle advice as well as prescribing herbs and supplements to help reduce Candida symptoms.
Lifestyle and diet changes are essential steps when trying to eradicate Candida, alongside these changes, supplements such as Candida Clear, and 8 Strain Multiflora Max are two of our most popular and effective products. A one to one consultation will identify any other steps that may need to be taken, where other avenues will be explored and a tailored plan will be put into place.
For other products which can help with Candida see https://nutritiontogo.org/collections/candida
]]>The first thing you should know is that bloating is very common, causing not only discomfort but can cause confidence issues particularly when you don't look and feel like yourself.
The most common cause of feeling bloating can when we have eaten a big meal, however in most cases this tends to go down once fully digested.
Unfortunately, some suffer bloating all the time this can be due to:
If you suspect you may have Coeliac Disease then please consult your GP.
There is no cure for Coeliac disease but, once the condition has been diagnosed, switching to a gluten-free diet should help. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/
The cause of IBS is unknown but has been linked to things like food passing through your gut too quickly or too slowly, oversensitive nerves in your gut, stress and a family history of IBS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/
Stress – In some people stress can slow down digestion which can cause bloating, discomfort and constipation, however in others, it can speed it up causing diarrhoea. For tips to manage stress see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/understanding-stress/
Simple Carbs
Simple carbs are sugars some of which can occur naturally in milk. However, most simple carbs are added to foods.
Common simple carbs added to foods include:
raw sugar
brown sugar
corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup
glucose, fructose, and sucrose
fruit juice concentrate
Simple carbs you should avoid to reduce your bloating
Soda
Baked goods
Packaged biscuits/cookies
Fruit Juice concentrate
Breakfast cereals
Sugary soda is bad for your health in several ways. You can try water flavoured with lemon instead.
Complex carbs have more nutrients than simple carbs, higher in fibre and digests more slowly. Making them more filling which is not only good for your bloating but weight control too.
Fibre and starch are the two types of complex carbohydrates. Fibre is particularly important as it encourages bowel regularity and can help control cholesterol.
Whole grains are a great source of fibre, as well as potassium, magnesium, and selenium. Eat less processed whole grains such as quinoa, buckwheat, and whole-wheat pasta.
Some of these are apples, berries, and bananas. Avoid tinned fruit since it usually contains added syrup.
Eat more of all your veggies, including broccoli, leafy greens, and carrots.
Aside from fibre, these are good sources of folate, iron, and potassium.
COL-CLEAR B V2 – Colon Cleanser
https://nutritiontogo.org/products/col-clear-b-v2
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES WITH SOOTHING HERBS
https://nutritiontogo.org/products/digestive-enzymes-with-soothing-herbs
L-GLUTAMINE
https://nutritiontogo.org/products/l-glutamine
8 STRAIN MULTI-FLORA 30 VEGE CAPS and in MAX
https://nutritiontogo.org/products/8-strain-multi-flora-probio-30-vege-caps
https://nutritiontogo.org/products/8-strain-multiflora-max
If your bloating symptoms persist, consult your GP to rule out a more serious condition.
You may want to check out https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/remedies-for-bloating-and-wind/
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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
The National Health Service(i) recommends you do not leave your home if you have:
For further professional healthcare information on this please visit:
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long term problems, if you are worried, please call 111
As the World Health Organisation (WHO) declares Coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic, there has been a global quest for knowledge.
Experimental trials are underway and experimental therapies are being considered, including Remdesivir, a drug developed to treat Ebola and Kaletra, a drug to treat HIV. Much focus is on the anti-malarial drug chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine.
Highlighted by Touret and de Lamballerie(ii), promising studies show that the growth of many different viruses can be inhibited in cell culture by both chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, including the SARS Coronavirus (iii). A recent study suggests Remdesivir and chloroquine effectively inhibit the recently emerged novel Coronavirus (iv); all trials are in their early stages and data is changing from day to day.
Whilst the trials are underway, what can we do to tackle the problem today?
There is currently no treatment for Covid-19. WHO spoke about an urgent need for therapeutics whilst Professor Stephen Holgate of the Medical Research Council says
"In the absence of a suitable vaccine, increasing the hosts own immunity to enhance protection and virus elimination would seem a logical therapeutic approach." (v)
There are serious issues to address and a need for early detection to prevent the disease spreading; this is everyone’s concern and anything that can be used or done to reduce the impact on our services, should be done.
Taking this into consideration
Government guidelines are:
WHO (World Health Organisation)
This is everyone’s business, what can we do to:
Optimise our care of others and ourselves
Stay alert, stay home, and stay safe and well; look after each other.
Studies have found that loneliness has been found to lower the immune (vii). Build trust and engage with your community, stay united and work as one, we are all in this together.
Keep yourself occupied and try to stay in a routine. Take this time to reorganise and re-evaluate what is important in your life.
Optimise our health and wellness
It’s what’s on your plate! The Physicians Committee of Health and Wellness recommend cruciferous vegetables saying they are the most powerful and immune-boosting foods that exist, these include broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, radishes and mustard greens(viii). If available, try to include 3-5 portions of these foods in your daily diet.
!!!!!!! Stress can zap our stores of vitamins and minerals !!!!!!!
As well as improving your diet, we recommend you strengthen your arsenal today and for the long-term; take:
Vitamin C Plus as a supplement
Organic Supergreens with vitamins as a supplement
Organic Multivits with Superfoods as a supplement
Krill Oil as a supplement
Zinc as a supplement
Vitamin B complex as a supplement
Optimise your mental wellbeing
It is important to stay calm, studies show that stress lowers the immune system (ix), There are tools in place if you are struggling in this challenging situation and there are practitioners sharing some of their work online for free; we have put together some of their tried and trusted techniques as follows:
Meditation
Meditation is a mental exercise and mindfulness practice, which is used to quieten the mind and curb our reactivity to thoughts and feelings, especially in highly stressful situations; focusing on breathing techniques, meditation is thought to improve lung health.
Qigong
Qigong involves coordinated, postural movements, which is combined with breathing techniques and mindfulness, for the purpose of health and spirituality.
Emotional Freedom Technique
Emotional Freedom Technique works by releasing blockages within. It is often referred to as "Psychological acupressure", and is thought to release limiting beliefs, fears and behaviours. There is an abundance of amazing therapists out there, however during these challenging times; here are some trusted links:
We need to take the advice given by our government about reducing the risk of catching the Coronavirus. This text is intended as additional information; it is not intended to replace government guidelines or recommendations. All of this text is with our very best intentions for your health and wellbeing.
References
(i) NHS, 2020. [online]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ [Accessed 30th March 2020].
(ii) Touret, F and de Lamballerie, X. 2020 Antiviral Research of chloroquine and Covid-19 [online]. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166354220301145#! [Accessed 30th March 2020].
(iii) Keyaerts, E. Vijgen, L. Maes, P. Neyts, J. Ranst, M.V. 2004 In vitro inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus by chloroquine [online]. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X0401839X [Accessed [30th March 2020].
(iv) Manli Wang, M. Cao, R. Zhang, L. Yang, X. Liu, J. Xu, M. Shi, Z. Hu, Z. Zhong, w. Xiao, G. 2020. Remdesivir and chloroquine effectively inhibit the recently emerged novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in vitro [online]. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41422-020-0282-0 [Accessed 31st March 2020].
(v) Holgate, S. 2020. [online]. Available at: https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/uk-coronavirus-patients-trial-experimental-lung-drug-synairgen-cure [Accessed 29th March 2020]
(vi) WHO. 2019. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic [online]. Available at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 [Accessed 30th March 2020].
(vii) American Psychological Association, 2006. Stress Weakens the Immune System [online]. Available at: https://www.apa.org/research/action/immune [Accessed 30th March 2020].
(viii) Morey, J.N. Boggero, I.A. Scott A.B and Segerstrom, S.C. 2015. Current Directions in Stress and Human Immune Function [online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4465119/[Accessed [30th March 2020].
(ix) The Physicians Committee of Health and Wellness. 2020 [online]. Available at: https://www.pcrm.org/news/exam-room-podcast/asthma-and-coronavirus-how-plant-based-diet-could-help [Accessed 30th March 2020].
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Our immune system, what is it and what does it do?
Our immune system is a process within the body, that protects us against disease and other potentially damaging foreign bodies; basically it is our defence against pathogens (infectious agents that cause disease) such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa.
Imagine our immune as a built-in army, as a military base on permanent guard, which is constantly scanning for the arrival of foreign invaders within the body.
Our body’s defence includes our skin, mucus membranes, cilia, stomach acid, friendly/good bacteria and urine flow; white blood cells; lymph nodes and organs also assist in our immune system.
Most of the time our immune system is able to protect the body from infection, however for some of us, our immune is weakened, making us prone to frequent infections. A few of the telltale signs that your immune is low would be:
Consult your GP if you have recurrent infections or symptoms of:
How do we support and strengthen our immune system?
For most of us, our immune system can quite easily be boosted by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle. These choices can be made almost immediately, by gently introducing appropriate exercise (according to your age and health), you will promote oxygen and blood flow, all of which assists in boosting your immune.
There is evidence that lifestyle and dietary changes will influence our immune strength (I) as well as our susceptibility to infectious diseases. Some recommendations to boost your immune include:
Supporting your immune system with the aid of supplements may boost a weakened immune and help you if you are suffering from any of the symptoms discussed here. Nutrition To Go has a full range of therapeutics/ supplements to support a healthy immune.
The role of white blood cells is to travel to the site of an infection. Together, they prevent infections by warding off, disabling or ingesting invading microorganisms; they will also communicate with other cells to help repair cells to promote an adequate immune response. Vitamin C encourages the production of white blood cells, helping protect the body from infection.
Organic Supergreens with Vitamins
Superfoods, which are high in antioxidants and flavanoids, helps improve immune health and decreases inflammation. Professionals go as far as saying that superfoods help prevent cancers(II). Organic Supergreens with Vitamins, has a naturally high food form vitamin C content, providing support for your immune.
Organic Multivits with Superfoods
Zinc
Krill oil is well known for heart and brain health; however, it is hardly recognised for immune health. Naturally rich in Astaxanthin, Pure Krill Oil provides potent antioxidant protection (iii) protecting cell membranes from free-radical damage and inflammation.
We want you to make your own informed decisions on your health. If you are not sure whether you are getting enough vitamins and minerals, or whether you are absorbing them, please speak with one of our consultants here at Nutrition to Go.
References
McAnulty, L.S. Nieman, D.C. Dumke, C.L. Shooter, L.A. 2011. Effect of blueberry ingestion on natural killer cell counts, oxidative stress, and inflammation prior to and after 2.5 hours of running [online]. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51826783_Effect_of_blueberry_ingestion_on_natural_killer_cell_counts_oxidative_stress_and_inflammation_prior_to_and_after_25_h_of_running/link/55b3911b08ae9289a0887c61/download [Accessed 18th March 2020].
Da Boit, M. Mastalurova, I. Brazaite, G. McGovern, N. Thompson, K. and Gray, S, R., 2015.The Effect of Krill Oil Supplementation on Exercise Performance and Markers of Immune Function. [online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4583249/[Accessed 18th March 2020].
Ware, M. What are superfoods and why should you eat them? [online]. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/303079#what_are_superfoods[Accessed 18th March 2020].
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Our bowel movements and frequency are unique to each and every one of us, what we think is ‘normal’, may not be, therefore how do we know if our colon needs cleansing, especially if we are having a bowel movement every day?
A variety of poor health problems can be due to slow and sluggish bowel movements and signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. Some of the obvious signs would be constipation, irregularity, bloating, gas and flatulence, but many of us wouldn’t realise that some of the following are related to poor and sometimes toxic colon health. These may include:
Faeces can impact the bowels, the longer it remains in the colon the more toxic the environment. In turn, bacteria can overproduce and toxins can back up into the bloodstream, potentially making a pathway to many diseases.
If this is the case, how should you cleanse your colon healthily and naturally, before considering the use of conventional and pharmaceutical drugs? Our primary aim would be to eliminate all waste and to change our eating habits.
Fibre is an important component of a healthy diet. The benefits of increasing our fibre intake are that it promotes regularity, with optimal bowel movements and waste elimination. Fibre isn’t simply for digestion though, a high fibre diet, in turn, lowers the risk of diabetes and some cancers (1) as well as promoting heart health, healthy glowing skin and general health and wellbeing.
According to the British Heart Foundation (2), we should eat around 30g of fibre each day, with the average person intaking around 20g we are falling well below the recommended guidelines. If you are not consuming a high fibre intake at the moment, you can increase our dietary fibre intake by consuming fibre rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, legumes, whole grains, seeds and oats.
It is recommended you gradually increase your fibre intake as a dramatic increase could cause pain and discomfort. Drinking plenty of water (ideally 8 glasses daily) is essential as the colon uses water to produce well-formed and soft and flexible stools.
Changing our eating habits and cutting down on rich fatty foods is another way to support colon health. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, it is advised that you get moving, if you can, the safest way possible.
If you are experiencing some of the symptoms discussed, or if you have a tendency to dry stools, straining or stool withholding, or if you are simply looking to detox, a supported colon cleanse is a healthy way to start a new health regime.
Rushing the body could cause pain as well as harm, continuous use of laxatives may reduce peristalsis (the body’s natural way to eliminate waste), we recommend that you cleanse with natural supplements such as magnesium as a fast, safe and gentle way to support your colon.
With many variations to magnesium, it is confusing as which one to decide on. Our most popular magnesium product to assist and accelerate your colon cleanse is Colosan, which comes in both powder and capsule form. With this product, oxygen is released as it hits the stomach acid, creating the most effective assist with the cleanse.
The effectiveness of this product as well as lifestyle and dietary changes, in our opinion, is the best possible way to do a colon cleanse.
Our patients have reported feeling lb’s lighter in weight, less bloated, less sluggish and free from all of the burdens an unhealthy colon brings
Promote bowel health today, we can honestly say, it will be one of the best things you could ever do for yourself and your health.
Information provided is not meant as a substitute for medical and professional advice. If you are losing blood or are concerned about bowel health in any way whatsoever, please do not hesitate to seek medical advice.
References
Also, see our other products for colon cleansing.
]]>If you listen to the hype about so-called "superfoods", they can help your body to do everything from sharpening focus and enhancing memory, to improving attention span and brain function. But do they really work and which foods truly deserve the "super" title?
While there may not be miracle foods that can transform your mind into the realm of genius overnight, there are certainly brain-food nutrients out there that can help with concentration. So, got a big day ahead or an exam looming, why not give the following foods a try?
It is also worth remembering to get a good night's sleep, keep hydrated, stay active and try meditation - all of which can help to calm the mind, enhance focus and support clear thinking.
Eat a smart breakfast
While it may be a bit of a cliche, breakfast is an incredibly important meal of the day.
If you're tempted to skip it, because you're in a rush or feeling stressed, don't! The right breakfast can supply your brain with fuel that is essential for both attention and short-term memory. By contrast, missing breakfast can leave you feeling tired and unable to concentrate. For example, studies have found that students who eat it tend to perform better than those who don’t.
But we aren't just talking about any old breakfast - a slice of buttered toast or pop tart just isn't going to cut it. Foods at the top of researchers' breakfast brain-fuel lists include high-fibre whole grains and fruits. Organic whole grain oats, for instance, help to keep your blood sugar levels stable and provide an excellent source of slow-release energy (without leaving you feeling sluggish). Whether cooked into a warming blend of yumminess or blended with fresh fruit in a smoothie, oats provide your body with a wide range of benefits.
But a word of warning - don't overeat! Researchers also found that high-calorie breakfasts can sometimes hinder concentration.
Despite your instincts, avoid caffeine!
Avoid caffeine!
When you're feeling tired or in need of a quick boost, it's a natural instinct to reach for a strong cup of coffee, tea or a sugary snack to help with energy levels. But, while you might benefit from a short-term "buzz", in the long-term this cycle can leave you feeling even more tired and struggling to concentrate.
According to research from Dr Peter Rogers at Bristol University, it is more likely that this short-term sensation is simply relief from the symptoms of withdrawal - coffee is addictive! Plus, rather than making us feel better and improving concentration, there is evidence to suggest that coffee actually worsens mental performance and has an adverse impact on overall health (not least because it's highly acid-forming in the body).
Caffeine is actually known to block the receptors for a brain chemical called adenosine, which is responsible for stopping the release of dopamine and adrenalin (motivating neurotransmitters). With less adenosine activity, levels of dopamine and adrenalin increase, with a corresponding increase in alertness and motivation.
The trouble is, the more caffeine you have, the more your body, and brain in particular, become less sensitive to its own natural stimulants. This is how the vicious cycle is triggered - you then need more and more stimulants just to feel normal and alert.
It's therefore a far better idea to keep your mind and body consistently strong with the help of a nutrient-rich diet and, when you're in need of a little extra support, opt for natural energy-boosters like:
Eggs: egg yolks are naturally rich in B-vitamins, which are responsible for converting food into energy. They are also a great source of protein - a macronutrient required for almost every process in the body.
Soybeans: High in energising nutrients like B-vitamins, copper and phosphorous, soybeans help to break down carbohydrates into glucose for fuel and help to transport oxygen throughout the body.
Wheatgrass: The broad spectrum and high quantity of vitamins and minerals found in chlorophyll - one of the major constituents of wheatgrass - mean that it is considered to be one of nature's greatest superfoods. There is also a surprising amount of high-quality protein in wheatgrass, making it an excellent energy source.
Nuts: All foods provide some level of energy, but some come packed with energy potential. Nuts tend to have a high number of healthy calories per serving, making them an ideal snack for delivering high energy in a small serving. They are also a great source of the potent antioxidant, vitamin E (linked to a slower rate of cognitive decline as you age).
And whole-grain cereal: High-fibre whole-grain cereals help to slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream, which ultimately translates into more consistent energy levels throughout the day.
Fish really is brain food
Fish for the brain!
A healthy, lean protein source linked to brain boosting is fish and oily fish in particular. Why? Well, for one thing, it is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which are essential for brain health and cognitive function.
A healthy diet for the long-term
Brain-food diet
Nothing supports energy levels, mental focus and concentration like a healthy body that is in balance. Consistently receiving the broad spectrum of nutrients that it needs for fuel will help your brain to stay sharp and alert. In stark contrast, a diet that is nutrient-poor, filled with "empty" calories and harmful chemicals and toxins can only hurt your ability to concentrate.
Always aim for a well-balanced diet, packed with cleansing, alkalising and protective nutrients from natural whole foods like fruit, vegetables, green leafy plants, seeds, nuts, legumes and whole grains.
Vitamins, minerals and other health supplements
Concentration supplements
If you want to support your brain and concentration levels, why not supplement with vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients in conjunction with your balanced diet?
Protein shakes, vitamin C, probiotics, B-vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and Omega oils are all popular additions to the diet for this particular health goal.
TRY : PURE KRILL OIL, VIT C PLUS, ORGANIC SUPERGREENS WITH VITMINS, 8 STRAIN MULTI FLORA, ORGANIC MULTIVITS & SUPERFOODS,