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Massel Powder Tub Vegetable – Plant Based, Low FODMAP & Gluten-Free, 168g
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Natural Alternatives to Weight Management: A Dietitian’s Perspective on the Ozempic Trend
Are injectable medications like Ozempic the only answer to weight management? As recently featured in The Independent, I’ve shared insights on natural alternatives to help manage weight and appetite effectively—without relying on medication.
Discover how simple changes, such as a protein-rich diet, fibre-filled meals, regular exercise, stress management, and quality sleep, can naturally reduce cravings and enhance your overall health.
Ready to learn more? Explore my full guide on natural, sustainable approaches to weight management today.
Gut Health Supplements: A Comprehensive Guide
Gut Health Supplements: A Comprehensive Guide It’s everywhere! Thankfully the importance of gut health has gained significant attention in the world of nutrition and wellness and whatever you read; the gut is often referenced as being a significant contributor to the various health issues exploding around the world. I work as a registered dietitian at 121 Dietitian and I have helped thousands of patients with their gut health. One thing that all my patients cannot believe is once they have tackled their tummy problems they have noticed that this has significantly improved their overall well-being, mood, energy, mental health, weight and more. One way many people are looking to support their gut health is through the use of supplements and who can blame them – ideally a simple quick fix! Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In this article, we’ll explore the world of gut health supplements, their potential benefits, and what to look for if you do plan to go down this route. Understanding Gut Health Before we tackle gut supplements, it’s crucial to understand what we mean by ‘gut health’. The gut, or gastrointestinal tract, is home to trillions of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome. This complex ecosystem plays a vital role in digestion, immune function, and even mental health. A healthy gut microbiome has a variety of good bacteria that work well with our bodies. Common Gut Health Issues Many people turn to gut health supplements to address various digestive issues, including: Bloating Constipation Diarrhoea Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Coeliac Disease Histamine Intolerance Food intolerances Leaky gut syndrome Types of Gut Health Supplements There are several types of supplements that can support gut health: Probiotics Probiotics are live bacteria that, when consumed in adequate amounts, can provide health benefits. They help to maintain or improve the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Common probiotic strains include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. Prebiotics Prebiotics are types of dietary fibre that feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Common prebiotics include inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS). Synbiotics These are supplements that combine both probiotics and prebiotics, providing a synergistic effect. Digestive Enzymes These supplements contain enzymes that help break down food, potentially aiding digestion and nutrient absorption. L-Glutamine An amino acid that plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the gut lining. Collagen While primarily known for its skin benefits, collagen may also support gut health by helping to repair the gut lining. Herbal Supplements Certain herbs like peppermint, ginger, and fennel have been traditionally used to support digestive health. Choosing a Gut Health Supplement When selecting a gut health supplement, consider the following factors: Specific Strains: For probiotics, look for supplements that list specific strains, not just species. Different strains can have different effects. CFU Count: For probiotics, check the Colony Forming Units (CFU) count. This indicates the number of viable bacteria in each dose. Shelf Stability: Some probiotics require refrigeration to maintain potency, while others are shelf-stable. Quality and Purity: Look for supplements from reputable manufacturers that undergo third-party testing. Allergens: Check for any allergens or ingredients you may be sensitive to. Form: Supplements come in various forms including capsules, powders, and liquids. Choose one that fits your lifestyle and preferences. Potential Benefits of Gut Health Supplements While research is ongoing, some potential benefits of gut health supplements include: Improved digestion Enhanced immune function Reduced inflammation Better nutrient absorption Improved mood and mental health Alleviation of certain digestive symptoms It’s important to note that while supplements can be beneficial, they should not replace a healthy diet and lifestyle. A balanced diet rich in fibre, fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods is crucial for maintaining gut health. Case Study: Liz’s Gut Health Journey To show how gut health supplements can help, let’s consider our recent client Liz. Liz visited 121 Dietitian because she had chronic bloating and irregular bowel movements. Liz had struggled with these issues for several years. She tried many over-the-counter remedies, but they did not help much. She was feeling frustrated and it was impacting her quality of life. After a thorough assessment, we discovered that Liz’s diet was low in fibre and lacked variety. She also had a history of frequent antibiotic use, which can disrupt the gut microbiome along with being perimenopausal which can also add fuel to the flames. We developed a plan that included dietary changes and the introduction of a high-quality probiotic supplement. The probiotic we chose was specific to her needs and shown to support digestive health. Liz began taking a probiotic supplement every day. She also made the important dietary changes that were recommended to her in the Gut Health Program. She increased her intake to the correct type and amount of fibre-rich foods. After 2 weeks, Liz reported a significant reduction in bloating and more regular bowel movements. She felt more energetic and noticed her mood had improved as well. By the three-month mark, Liz’s gut health had dramatically improved. She no longer experienced chronic bloating, and her bowel movements were regular and comfortable and ….no more laxatives! Liz’s case shows that gut health supplements can help improve digestive health. Better eating habits also play a big role in overall well-being. Together, they can make a significant difference. Precautions and Considerations Gut health supplements can help many people. However, it is important to use them carefully. Talk to a Professional: Before starting any new supplements, it’s smart to talk with a healthcare professional. This is especially important if you have health conditions or take medications. Start Slowly: When you begin taking probiotics or gut health supplements, start with a low dose. Gradually increase the dose to help your body adjust. Be Patient: It can take time to see the effects of gut health supplements. Give it at least a few weeks before assessing their impact. Monitor Your Response: Pay attention to how your body responds to the supplements. If you experience any adverse effects, discontinue use and
Exploring the Zoe App Program the Pros and Cons
Exploring the Zoe App Program – the pros and cons In the era of digital health, the ZOE App Program, co-founded by Tim Spector, has emerged as a prominent player in personalized nutrition. With nearly cult-like status among its 130,000 subscribers, this nutrition service offers a tailored approach to optimizing health through its innovative app-based platform. In this comprehensive review Abby Olu-Sholanke one of our specialist Associate Dietitians, delves into the intricacies of the ZOE Programme, its product offerings, effectiveness, pros and cons, and compare it with the services provided by specialist dietitians. What exactly is Zoe? Zoe analyses your blood and faecal samples to provide insights about your gut microbiome, such as the diversity of gut and bowel bacteria and your ability to digest fats and sugars. Zoe App sounds interesting – what Next? The ZOE membership: There are three membership tiers, which automatically renew unless you request a cancellation. You have to buy the test and the monthly membership as a package they are not available to purchase seperately. The Membership categories are: £24.99 per month for a 12-month membership, plus £299.99 for testing. Membership paid in one payment of £299.88, billed when you can see your ZOE Scores in the app = £599 £39.99 per month for a four-month membership, plus £299.99 for testing. Membership paid in one payment of £159.96, billed when you can see your ZOE Scores in the app =£439 £59.99 per month for a rolling monthly membership, plus £299.99 for testing = £899. What’s in the Zoe App Kit? The ZOE test kit: Gut health kit: A kit to collect a stool sample at home, to send off for analysis. The stool is examined to see the diversity of the gut microbiome – essentially the good and not so good microbes living in the stools. This is linked with health issues such as digestive system, immune response and mental health. Blood fat test: A small sample of blood collected via finger prick is sent for blood fat analysis. This measures how quickly fat is cleared from the blood after a meal. This is a risk factor indicator of developing heart disease and chronic inflammation. Blood sugar sensor: A round yellow disk that the user sticks to their arm and wears for 14 days. There is a tiny needle that measures the glucose from the fluid beneath the skin. This allows the app to gain real-time insights of how blood sugar levels fluctuate, per food eaten. Breakfast and lunch cookies to be consumed on a specific test day – these test out the blood sugar and blood fat results, as well as measuring the speed of users’ digestion and gastric emptying. (the diagram below illustrates the process and used from the zoe website) Zoe Cookies?? So what are these cookies?? As we can see from the Zoe kit content, cookies are consumed…. According to the information on their website, the test cookies were specifically designed by scientists to enable users to test their biological responses. The purpose of the cookies is to challenge the metabolism with high doses of fat and sugar over 6 hours. To be able to package the necessary amounts of nutrients in the challenge in a standardised way, they used cookies. Breakfast Test Cookie Ingredients: White chocolate chips (cocoa butter, cane sugar, tapioca starch, rice syrup solids, rice maltodextrin, organic vanilla and salt) Flour blend (brown rice flour, sweet rice flour, tapioca starch, cornstarch, potato starch, stabiliser (xanthan gum)) Palm oil Brown sugar Chickpea flour Tapioca starch Tapioca syrup Less than 2% of: water, vanilla bean extractives, salt Lunch Test Cookie Ingredients: Flour blend (brown rice flour, sweet rice flour, tapioca starch, cornstarch, potato starch, stabiliser (xanthan gum)) Brown sugar Chickpea flour Tapioca starch Less than 2% of: water tapioca syrup vanilla bean extractives salt Colour: FD&C Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) Raising agent: Baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, cornstarch, monocalcium phosphate)) Allergens in Zoe cookies -free from Gluten Milk Egg Fish and shellfish Peanut and tree nut Soy Wheat Made in a facility handles the following : not suitable Tree Nuts Peanuts Wheat Eggs Zoe App Diet Test Day When it comes to eating the cookies on test day, testers need to fast the morning of the test – that means nothing to eat or drink, except water, black tea or coffee. The specific breakfast cookies need to be eaten within 15 minutes, and then a four hour fast follows, before consuming the lunch cookies. This can have implications for people who are on medications or diabetic. Effectiveness According to reviews on the ZOE website, users said they feel the changes in their energy levels after around 4 weeks. A statistic on the website states 84% of users feel healthier after 12 weeks. Another article in Forbes, says 70 percent of ZOE members report having more energy. Good Food website states that there is so much information on the ZOE app as well as useful tricks to optimise what you eat, that you’re bound to gain tips that you can stick to in the long term. Interestingly when you look at the stats for changing your diet to healthier choices this outcome is not unique to ZOE diet and achievable with guidance from a Dietitian. The Pros and Cons of ZOE app Pros ZOE is based on advice around monitoring blood sugar, blood fat and gut health. Provides helpful tips on minimising bad foods and useful tricks you can stick to long term. Contains a kit that has a blood sugar monitor, blood fat test, stool sample test and some food to test your gut transit time in the comfort of your home. The programme prides itself on helping users make healthy food choices and knowing how certain foods can impact their blood sugars and gut health. The ZOE app produces a score from 0-100, based on food choices. The program offers several articles and information of healthy eating It is a novel way of testing
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