Tag: M2WOMAN

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Retox and then Detox – The great liver balancing act essential for this and any time of year

M2 coach Kirsten Taylor

M2
M2 Woman
November 2016

Retox and then Detox – The great liver balancing act essential for this and any time of year

The silly season is upon us. We are about to eat and drink more than any other time of the year. Here is some important information you need to know to protect your liver!

  1. The enzymes made by your liver to detoxify alcohol are only produced after exposure to alcohol. Got that? Didn’t think so – let me break it down for you. The army is only sent to the front line after the front line has been invaded by the enemy…What does that mean for our bodies? It means that if you know you are going to have a big night on Saturday night you need to have a drink on Friday night so that your body produces the enzymes to breakdown the alcohol that’s coming in larger quantities the next night.

Responsible drinking means “priming” your liver the night before so you will be able to “handle” your alcohol better and won’t be bombing yourself out of the blue.

  1. Alcohol depletes magnesium which has a massive impact on your sleep, your nervous system health, your muscles (heart and bowel too) and your brain – it’s one of the reasons your head hurts so much the next day. Not only that but the alcohol and rich foods will alter your body’s pH making it more acidic. Magnesium is a great alkaliniser. Increase your fibre rich veges starting now in the lead up to the parties and supplement with 400mg of Magnesium before bed.
  2. Alcohol and “junk foods” wreak havoc on our intestines and take out our beneficial probiotic gut flora that keep our whole body healthy and happy so start supplementing with a room temperature shelf stable probiotic now after breakfast and dinner or be bold and start making your own kombucha probiotic drink – it’s delicious and good for you. Continue to take on going, at least for the whole of January or until the party is over!
  3. Make sure that you drink plenty of waterand herbal tea on the day of each ocassion to hydrate your body. Take a glass of water with you to bed to keep on your bed side table.
  4. Avoid caffeine after 2pm on the day of each party. Caffeinemay pick you up but it places a strain on your liver – yes that includes espresso martini’s!
  5. Take a vitamin C supplement of approximately 3000mg before bed to help your liver detox while you are sleeping.Anti-oxidant boosting herbs such as milk thistle and turmeric can also offer additional liver support.

While your liver is vulnerable to the effects of diet and lifestyle choices, it is also an incredibly resilientorgan. If you take good care of it and fuel it with healthy, wholesome foods you’re sure to keep it in tip-top shape for the silly season.

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Are you becoming a Silver Fox?

M2 Woman October 2016

M2
M2 Woman
October 2016

Are you becoming a Silver Fox?

There is a reason women and men all over the world have grown to love actors like George Clooney more as they have aged. So whilst most of us don’t like the idea of aging, it could actually be an angle you can work… but if you are not ready to face that in the mirror – how does one keep the silver fox at bay for a little while longer?
Greying of hair can happen as a result of the natural aging process. The average age at which grey hairs ordinarily begin to appear is the late 20s or early 30s. However, these are only the odd grey hair and are not noticeable until a larger percentage of your hair turns grey usually well into your 40s.

A variety of factors can lead to premature greying with the major contributors being poor diet, stress, heavy metals, nutritional deficiencies and genetic predisposition. Hair only obtains its nutrition from the bloodstream so it stands to reason that diet (nutrition) plays a significant role in hair health. Deficiency of Protein, B vitamins, Zinc (especially in men), Copper, Iron and Iodine have been linked to premature greying.

Stress contributes to hair greying as it activates the body’s fight or flight response using up vital nutrients usually used by the body to carry out essential body processes like synthesizing hormones, optimising digestion and enhancing immune function. Oxidative stress and free radical damage of cells caused by external stressors like sun exposure, radiation, pollution, pesticides, chemicals and smoking also accelerate the aging process leading to premature greying along with other physical signs of accelerated aging (WRINKLES).

By fuelling your body with a wide variety of healthy foods you can help provide the necessary nutrients to fight the signs of greying and ageing. Below are some great foods to add into your diet to help maintain the health and integrity of your hair and skin!

  • Spices such as turmeric, ginger, chili, cinnamon and cayenne can help boost circulation to help improve blood flow to the skin and scalp.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids provide important building blocks for healthy connective tissue and help keep your hair shiny and full. Good sources include fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel as well as walnuts, avocado and chia seeds.
  • Protein rich foods such as lean meats, legumes, eggs and full-fat probiotic rich organic yoghurt help offer amino acids and micronutrients necessary for healthy hair and skin.
  • Organic fresh fruit and vegetables provide vitamins A, B and C, iron, folate, zinc, iodine and antioxidants to help support healthy hormone levels and fight against oxidative damage.

 

DIY Topical applications:

Coconut Oil & Lemon

Mix coconut oil and a dash of lemon and massage your head with the mixture for about 15 minutes. This recipe is traditionally used in Ayurvedic Medicine as an anti – greying tonic as well as helping with hair texture, strength and length.

Slow the greys through better stress management, regular exercise, adequate sleep and a healthy diet. But since ageing is inevitable it feels good to know that society in general believes that men get better with age – go you silver foxes!