In this edition we'd like to shine a light on men, specifically on men's health and how to optimise it. Who better to do this than our founding pharmacist, Kevin Leivers MRPharmS.
"From my own health journey, I have no doubt that men need better education and support, on easy ways to develop good mental health."
Firstly, choose the right people or groups that support open conversations about your feelings, life experiences or challenges. Prevention is always better than cure so build your healthy routine now before things get too much. When emotional pressures build up from unresolved ‘stuff’, it impacts your relationships, work, mental and physical health. This work is made better with a balanced, low sugar diet, limiting alcohol, relaxed exercise and as much fresh air in nature as possible.
Compared to previous generations, men of today are generally considered to be in better health. Some areas of men’s health have improved dramatically.
For instance, smoking cessation health campaigns and controls on smoking have reduced the incidence of smoking-related lung and heart diseases. However, the increase in sedentary work and lifestyles plus work-induced stress and heavily processed foods and drinks have increased related cardiovascular risk factors, including weight problems and diabetes.
Weight problems, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health.
The causes of these issues are often related to lifestyle/diet and therefore can be resolved – tackling a lack of regular exercise and consumption of too many processed foods/drinks is a great starting point.
Aim to change just two things to make a difference – exercise and diet.
Actioning these two things well and consistently will significantly reduce your risk of major diseases.
Men generally are not as careful as women in terms of diet, particularly if they are single! We tend to eat more processed food and drink more sugar-loaded drinks, so the nutritional deficiencies are greater.
When the diet is poor the gut health suffers, and the knock-on effect is that basic vitamins and minerals plus essential plant-based nutrients have lower absorption. In these cases, a good quality multi vitamin + mineral supplement in combination with a balanced diet will be required to prop up the digestive system until gut health is improved. This must contain a significant amount of plant-based nutrients (from fresh fruit and vegetables). Concentrated plant-based bio-active compounds called polyphenols (from supplements) can also have a significant impact on men's health.
Black Garlic, the fermented and therefore more potent form of raw white garlic can help maintain healthy blood pressure and circulation as well as a healthy gut and immune system.
The neuroprotective benefits of saffron are well documented, we recommend saffron bioactives to help manage work/life pressure. Talking about our mental health can still be harder for men, but we must strive to give it as much care and attention as we do our physical health and supplementing with saffron bioactives is a very positive start.
Plant-sourced polyphenols have a strong evidence base and so we recommend bergamot polyphenols for cardiovascular health (a 4 month course).
Sugary or high GI diets mean that the gut requires regular probiotics (multi-strain) and prebiotic natural fibres for optimum digestive wellbeing. B vitamins, particularly B12 are often affected due to poor gut health, this in turn can lead to fatigue.
I always recommend a Vitamin D supplement because such a high proportion of the population may be deficient, it is estimated that 1 in 5 of us have low vitamin D levels.
For those of us that do enjoy our exercise and pushing ourselves physically, a knock on effect can be exercise induced muscle discomfort. A diet which replenishes and hydrates the body is key to peak sporting performance.
As stated above, keep changes easy and simple.
Find ways to fit in 20 minutes of intense exercise a day and replace sugary snacks and drinks with low/zero sugar, high protein alternatives. There is healthy debate at the moment around the benefits of eating breakfast as the first meal of the day versus a longer daily fast. If you are one to breakfast early, then be sure to choose high protein/ low carbs options - keep away from sugary cereals and breads.
All of these elements will create significant improvements in health and reduce the risk of disease.
All of these supplements are available from The Naked Pharmacy and are fortified with a plant-based prebiotic for added immune protection and optimum gut health.
We always recommend a healthy balanced diet with exercise as the best course of action for optimum health, but sensible supplementation can help prevent common health problems of our modern age.
Stay well and stay safe.
Kevin Leivers
Our expert pharmacists are always on hand to answer any questions you might have and to make tailored recommendations based on your individual needs. Please contact us for free health advice on:
@: pharmacist@thenakedpharmacy.com
T: 01483 678 438
We are all guilty of over indulging at certain times of year, over eating, drinking too much or consuming too much sugar.
However, as you get older you may find that it is taking longer to bounce back and you may become intolerant to certain types of foods and alcohol.
If you suffer from headaches and migraines you may be reaching for painkillers such as Ibuprofen which, although an effective anti-inflammatory, has long term side effects including increasing cardiovascular risks and damaging the protective lining of the gut. Ibuprofen is only effective for up to 6 hours, so you may need to take repeated doses!
Did you know that Turmeric with the correct range and strength of 7 curcuminoids, has multiple anti-inflammatory benefits, works just as well as Ibuprofen or aspirin and actually improves gut health.
Scientific research (ref see below) has demonstrated that curcuminoinds, the active compounds in turmeric, are effective at removing both the cause and symptoms of a hangover.
Curcuminoids are potent antioxidants. Alcohol consumption can cause oxidative stress that damages your cells, so an effective antioxidant is vital before, during and after a heavy night.
So the perfect natural solution for hangovers should be taken before you go out and again when you wake up:
Natruflex Turmeric: We recommend that you take Natruflex Turmeric 1-2 capsules BEFORE you go out and when required during the next day.
Gut Love: Containing, 21 probiotics and 2 organic prebiotics. take 1 capsule daily to settle the digestion and improve the excretion of toxins for a minimum of 14 days.
Marine Magnesium: Take 1 capsule at night to restore healthy nerve and muscle function for a minimum of 7 days.
Vitamin D3: Take 2 capsule daily for at least 30 days
Metabolic Gold contains Bergamot fruit extract and Artichoke leaf extract. It is the perfect blend of naturally sourced, high strength ingredients that work together synergistically to help reduce sugar levels, improve insulin resistance, balance cholesterol, reduce fat around the waistline and reduce fatty liver.
In a recent trial of 60 patients who were overweight and had high cholesterol, subjects were treated with a combination of bergamot extract and artichoke leaf extract for 2 months and compared to a group that received a placebo for the same amount of time. The results showed a significant decrease in total and LDL cholesterol as well as a significant reduction in waist circumference.
When combined with lifestyle efforts focusing on diet, exercise, sleep and stress, the combination of bergamot fruit and artichoke leaf extracts can provide significant health benefits.
We recommend this supplement is taken for at least 3-4 months at a dose of one capsule twice a day with or after food.
PUBLISHED RESEARCH:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35070194/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35668500/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30395947/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36370961/
Turmeric is a well-known spice that plays a vast role as a natural health remedy for many conditions.
The spice naturally reduces swelling and discomfort in joints and muscles. Any conditions involving inflamed tissues can benefit from turmeric, including hay fever and bowel conditions. There is also more and more evidence to suggest turmeric can improve cognitive/brain function and mental health conditions such as low mood.
The roots of this ancient plant, scientifically known as Curcuma longa, have been used as a spice, health tonic and food dye for centuries. However, only recently have researchers endorsed these traditional uses with good quality clinical research.
The traditional way to take turmeric is, of course, using it as a spice in your food and drink recipes. However, there are two issues with this approach when using turmeric for specific health conditions.
Firstly, you need a significant amount of powder to achieve the effective dose, nearly 70g of raw powder twice a day in fact, which is of course not practical. Secondly, most of this powder and the active components it contains, will pass straight through the bowel without absorption making the purchase a waste of money.
As Pharmacists, we advise you to take your turmeric as a supplement. Food supplements like Natruflex are very efficient because they have a very high concentrated dose of the bioactives. Food grade turmeric has a strength of 2-6% whereas Natruflex contains 95% curcuminoids. This means that out of 100g of Natruflex, 95g are active curcuminoids. In addition, Natruflex contains the optimum strength of black pepper, which ensures that all the active curcuminoids are absorbed. This makes Natruflex one of the most effective turmeric supplements on the market.
On its own, turmeric is not easily absorbed. Turmeric is fat soluble, meaning it won’t be absorbed as well without the presence of fat or oil. At The Naked Pharmacy, we advise that turmeric is always taken with either a healthy fat like coconut butter or mixed with a high strength pepper extract with piperine. This increases the absorption by up to 2000%.
Does Turmeric really work?
There are now many clinical trials which are randomised, placebo controlled and blinded that show turmeric is a very effective product. This is a pharmaceutical standard for clinical research that eliminates the effects from a dummy pill called a placebo. It’s the evidence base and clinical research standard we look to achieve in all our product development.
The regulation of COX and LOX enzymes by curcuminoids is the key mechanism for its beneficial effects in preventing various inflammatory diseases.
How can I recover from exercise-related injuries faster?
For protection and relief of muscle and joint discomfort, you should take one to two capsules of Natruflex as required, taking a maximum of four capsules per day. Natruflex contains premium quality turmeric and black pepper from southern India, which both contain 95% strength of bioactive and are uniquely combined with magnesium to support muscle and nerve function.
Why do people take turmeric for bowel disturbances?
Turmeric may also help relieve the stomach after eating something fatty or spicy. It can also help with excessive gas, support digestion and calm abnormal muscle movements resulting from digestive issues such as IBS. And because this spice naturally contains potassium and magnesium, it is often taken to help rehydrate after diarrhoea.
Turmeric as a digestive aid
Turmeric contains many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that have a soothing effect on the gastrointestinal system and provide support for digestion. Turmeric can even combat some queasiness and support internal cleansing. Herbalists have used it for centuries as a liver tonic. Also, because of its digestive benefits, some people use turmeric during weight loss and exercise programs.
Just one capsule of Natruflex is equivalent to 65g of food grade turmeric.
Teenagers and adults: For protection and relief of muscle and joint discomfort,take one to two capsules of Natruflex as required, taking a maximum of four capsules per day. Capsules must be taken with food.
To prevent injury before sport, do a five day regime of one to two capsules per day, before the event. Capsules must be taken with food.
If you don’t like taking capsules, you can simply open them up and use the Natruflex as a powder with hot milk (non-dairy options work too) and whisk into a turmeric latte which is spicy, healthy and delicious, or alternatively add it to your favourite recipe.
It’s very rare to experience side effects from taking too much turmeric but it’s better to take a quality product like Natruflex and stick to the recommended dose advised by our pharmacists.
You can take Turmeric indefinitely, but as with anything, we like to recommend that you take a holiday from it every now and then. We recommend you take a week off every three months just to avoid your body becoming tolerant, which is where your body downgrades its response towards it.
However, if you have a pre-existing condition such as arthritis then continue to take it without a break.
