Episodes

  • Today we're talking about 9 of my favourite herbal teas, what health benefits they possess, and how to use them to elevate your well-being.
    To read the full description please click here for the full blog post!

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • I moved back to the UK from the middle east, where it's hot, and the food traditions are very different indeed!
    It's been an interesting process to try and put my finger on some of the things that happened when I got here, in terms of what habits changed and what I had to do to regain my health equilibrium.
    To read the full comments please check out this blog post!

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

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  • In today's episode, we talk about heartburn!
    What is it, why does it happen, and how can we treat it?

    Naturopathy suggests that in situations of heartburn, we will always want to combine three main elements: diet, lifestyle, and stress management.
    So today we offer some tips on how to do exactly that!
    If you'd like to read the full text please click here :)

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • Snacking can be a great way to refuel and recharge during the day, but it's important to choose wisely to ensure that you are fuelling your body with the nutrients it needs

    What most of us struggle with, in my experience, is ideas!

    In this episode we look at 7 of my favourite snack options
    If you'd like to read more, please visit my blog post here:

    https://www.mayanaturopathy.co.uk/lifestyle-advice/the-7-healthiest-snacks-for-optimal-nutrition/


    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • Anti-nutrients are substances in food that reduce the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.

    In this episode, we discuss what anti-nutrients are, the effects of excessive consumption, and ways to reduce or neutralise their effects.

    What are Anti-Nutrients?

    We know that all foods contain nutrients - however what's less known is that some plant foods including grains, seeds, nuts, and legumes, contain compounds which are known as anti-nutrients. They are the compounds that act as a form of defence mechanism in the plant, helping to protect it from infections or consumption by animals and insects.
    Anti nutrients include phytate, lectins, tannins and oxalates (and there are a few more)

    For the full information head over to: mayanaturopathy.co.uk
    Maya x

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • I know you've heard that you can boost your immune system through healthy lifestyle changes? Probably lots of times, right? But could it really be that easy? The answer might surprise you.

    As we head into winter and a potential new variant of Covid, booster shots are being recommended - but are there more proactive ways we can protect ourselves?

    A healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise and sleeping habits, can boost your immunity and keep you healthy during the winter months—without even going to the doctor’s office! Let’s take a look at some of the research.

    A healthy diet boosts immunity

    Last January, the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a perspective article, offering the idea that there is a dietary change which can be made to help reduce risk of infection with covid-19, as well as significantly reducing risk of severe infection.

    A plant-based diet can have an impact on your immune system

    We discuss three studies which all suggest that a plant-based diet (which can be vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian, so long as they rely heavily on fruit and vegetables, whole grains and nuts, and plenty of legumes) can have a potentially large impact, significantly reducing risk of being infected with a severe form of covid.

    Why do these diets make a difference?

    We know that healthy plant-based diets are rich in nutrients, especially phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids), vitamins and minerals, all of which are important for a healthy immune system, and fish are an important source of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties. So in increasing the volume of plant-based ingredients we can help ourselves get healthier (and if that helps reduce risk of severe covid infections- then that's even better news!)

    What can you do to help support your immune system?

    As we're approaching winter, it might be time to make some changes to your diet. Eating more grains, fruit, vegetables, and legumes can help boost your immunity and keep you healthy during the coming months.

    Here's how to incorporate these foods into your diet:

    Add a variety grains such as rice, quinoa, pearl barley and buckwheat to your main meals, don't always go for the one you're used to. Add fruit whenever possible - as a snack, dessert, and whenever you're feeling peckish. Eat vegetables with lunch and dinner - it doesn't matter if they are raw, cooked, steamed or air-fried - however you enjoy eating them do thatKeep legumes such as beans in the pantry, but more importantly keep them in mind and add lentils alongside your grains, or beans into soups or casseroles.

    And of course there's lots more to do, including reducing your sugar intake, getting a good nights' sleep, getting enough exercise and spending time outside, drinking plenty of water, and using herbal medicine to support your body.

    As ever, if you feel you need extra support in incorporating these changes into your life, I'm

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • Sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health and well-being, but many of us struggle to get enough rest at night. If you’re having trouble getting quality sleep, there are steps you can take to get yourself into the best sleep habits possible, leading to a lifetime of better health and well-being as a result!

    Let's talk about the first line of solutions that can help you sleep better at night!

    What is the first line? You can probably guess... nutrition! Well, you already know that our food affects all our health...

    What is it important to eat in order to sleep well at night?

    Make sure you eat enough protein during the day - the high-quality protein found in ingredients such as legumes - lentils and beans - nuts and seeds provides us with a large amount of tryptophan. Tryptophan is converted in the body into the hormones serotonin and melatonin, which are essential for good sleep. Plant protein (such as the examples I gave) is rich not only in tryptophan, but also in vitamin B6 and zinc, two components that help convert tryptophan into melatonin. It is recommended not to eat the protein in the evening, as protein meals can be more difficult to digest, which can disturb sleep in itself.Make sure you consume enough magnesium - magnesium is found in pumpkin and sunflower seeds, leafy green vegetables, and dried fruits. Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for muscle relaxation, and it is also needed for GABA to function - a neurotransmitter with a relaxing action that helps to "turn off" the brain so that we can sleep peacefully.Complex carbohydrates - such as found in whole grains, among other things - help to balance blood sugar levels by breaking down slowly in the body. Even when we sleep, the body, and especially the brain, still consume sugars to continue their activity, and if the blood sugar levels are too low, the hormones adrenaline and cortisol are released, which may wake us up from our sleep. A serving of whole grains at dinner can prevent this.

    Apart from nutrition, there are many habits that can affect our sleep, lets go over some of these...

    Here are a few habits to help improve your sleep (to read the full text go here)

    Creating a sleep schedule

    Unwind before bedtime

    Exercise during the day

    Avoid caffeine and alcohol at night

    Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and cool

    If you've tried these tips and they've not done enough to improve your sleep, I would say it's time for individual help, and you can schedule a free consult with me to see how I can help here

    Maya x

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • Ischaemic heart disease is the amongst the leading causes of death in the United Kingdom in men and women.

    What exactly is a heart attack?

    The progression of heart disease is determined by the progression of atherosclerosis (or to put it plainly, how much plaque is built up in your blood vessels). Heart attacks result from the formation of atherosclerosis, and of sclerotic plaques which are liable to block the passage of blood in the blood vessels to the heart. Try picturing a pipe that's clogged up with muck: whilst there's just a little, water can flow through but the flow of water will get weaker and weaker as the muck gets clogged and eventually, unless we clean the pipe, no water will be flowing through. If you need a visual, watch this short video by the British Heart Foundation.

    When this happens, without the supply of oxygen from the blood, the heart tissue will die. This is a heart attack.

    To read more, please visit https://www.mayanaturopathy.co.uk/naturopathy/heart-attacks-reduce-risk/

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • Building and maintaining healthy bones is of course an issue that is important to all of us.I often see patients in my clinic who are in the early stages of osteoporosis, and who ask how the process can be slowed down or stopped...

    From the moment we begin to grow until we reach our mid-twenties, we build our bone strength. After this we must maintain the strength we have built up, and slow down as much as possible the rate of bone thinning. In postmenopausal women, the rate of bone depletion increases significantly, which increases the risk of women suffering from osteoporosis.

    So what can be done? Well, first keep in mind that it is essential to do weight-bearing exercise: such as walking, running, tennis, football, or any other activities that you can persevere with. Nutritionally, it is important to pay attention to eating a balanced diet that includes an abundance of bone-building components - throughout life. In childhood it helps to build bone strength, and in adulthood it helps us maintain bone health.

    What are these components? Calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, zinc, essential fatty acids, vitamin C, and B vitamins. Vitamin D can be absorbed also through exposure to sunlight and not just through diet.

    The average adult should aim to eat about 700 mg of calcium a day. How do you get there? Let's see!

    Fruits and vegetables

    Whole grains

    Nuts and seeds

    Protein

    It is important to include the entire list above in your diet on a daily basis, depending on your needs and personal requirements of course. But that's not all. There are also things that are better to reduce or avoid:

    Processed foods and beverages (which contain a high amount of sugar, fat and salt)

    Oxalic acid

    Smoking and caffeine and alcohol consumption

    Other than that, you should know that there is controversy regarding the consumption of animal-based products. Some argue that these are good sources of calcium, but there are others who disagree, due to the fact that animal-based products often contain high amounts of phosphorus, which impairs calcium absorption, and that high amounts of protein can lead to loss of bone mass.

    For the full information, please head over to www.mayanaturopthy.co.uk!
    Maya x

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • After talking a bit the other week about what a ketogenic diet is, opening the door to a pretty interesting discussion with some patients about the body's use of sugar, I thought this week it would be worth explaining about glycaemic responses.

    Basically, a glycaemic response is an increase in blood glucose levels that occurs after eating carbohydrates. When we digest our food, the carbohydrates in the food break down and become glucose, which passes from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.

    The glucose now present in the blood causes the secretion of insulin from the pancreas - in the amount needed to get the glucose from the blood into the cells in the body, where it is used to generate energy.

    This process - a glycaemic response - begins as soon as the food starts to be broken down, and then, usually about two hours after the meal, the glucose concentration drops back to a fasting level after being absorbed into the various tissue cells. The normal range of blood glucose levels during fasting is 70-100 mg per 100 cc.

    A strong response is when the blood glucose concentration rises rapidly and to a high level, while a weak response is when the blood glucose concentration rises slowly and to a relatively low level. A low glycaemic response means lower insulin secretion and better control of blood sugar levels over time.

    In the past, the common assumption was that simple sugars cause a stronger glycaemic response than complex sugars, but the truth is that a glycaemic response depends on many factors, including:

    Type of carbohydrate

    Processing of the food

    Ripeness

    Dietary combinations

    Differences between people

    So a glycaemic response is an increase in blood sugar after eating. What is the glycaemic index?

    Every food that contains carbohydrates is examined by the glycaemic index according to how fast it raises our blood glucose levels while it is being digested, compared to consuming the same amount of pure glucose. For the purpose of creating the index, pure glucose is determined to have a glycaemic index of 100. When a person is given a certain amount of pure glucose and the blood glucose level is checked every half hour for two hours, a glycaemic response curve is obtained which is considered to be 100%.

    When the glycaemic index is high, food is digested quickly and raises the blood glucose level quickly and to a large degree, and the body is forced to secrete a lot of insulin to lower the sugar level. Carbohydrates that break down slowly, which have a low glycaemic index, release glucose into the bloodstream gradually.

    This is important because while we do need carbohydrates for energy, we need "the right kind" of carbohydrates.

    The carbohydrates we need are those with a low glycaemic index, which encourage slow and moderate insulin secretion. These carbohydrates contribute to a longer feeling of satiation.

    For the full show notes please head to www.mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • You have showered, soaped up, sprayed yourself with perfume, put your make-up on, and you feel as clean as possible ...

    You may look wonderful, but what's going on inside your body? You have just covered yourselves with an unknown number of chemicals (whose effect is not always clear).

    Every day our body is exposed to between dozens and hundreds of different chemicals and pollutants from various sources. The list of hazardous or potentially hazardous ingredients in our home cleaning and grooming products is pretty insane, and unfortunately there is no requirement for cosmetics companies to check the ingredients for long-term safety before marketing.

    Keeping in mind that our skin can absorb up to 60% of the chemicals present in the common cosmetics we use on a daily basis - this means that widespread use of traditional cosmetics can lead to a serious chemical buildup in our body. This accumulation can produce severe side effects and eventually cause many health problems.

    It is true that not all exposure, and not all components will damage our health, but there are some that are really worth avoiding!

    What are these substances and what can they cause?

    Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives:

    Apart from preserving dead bodies, unfortunately formaldehyde is found in a number of substances used by living bodies ... nail polishes, adhesives, hair gels and straighteners among others, as well as baby shampoos, soaps and body washes. You can find these materials under the names:

    quaternium-15, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea

    1,4-dioxane

    This is considered by the EPA to be a "probable human carcinogen" and is found in almost a quarter of existing products. If you want to avoid this substance, you must use organic products.

    Parabens

    Today, there is more awareness of parabens and it's getting easier and easier to find soaps that have "paraben-free" labels on them. Parabens are chemicals that have a particular antimicrobial activity, which prolong the shelf life of the products. A link has been demonstrated between the use of parabens and cancer, hormonal disorders, infertility disorders, immune system disorders, neurotoxicity and skin problems.

    Aluminium

    Aluminium is one of the basic components in almost every deodorant. For years I have been going out of my way to find natural deodorants, not only because of the aluminium (which is linked to diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's, among others), but also because the synthetic deodorants on the market are almost all antiperspirant, meaning they prevent sweating. True, no one wants to be caught with sweat marks outside the gym, but the truth is that when we sweat we allow our body to excrete toxins that we really do not want inside the body (among other things, toxic metals like aluminium), and when we prevent this process we trap the toxins inside the body.

    Look for the "paraben-free" label on the products you choose. Avoid those that contain SLS and 1,4-dioxane. If you really want to invest, buy products from companies that boast of only natural materials or are handmade.

    I cannot say that exposure to chemicals can be avoided one hundred percent. This is completely unrealistic in the world we live in. However, I prefer to know what I am exposed to

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • In recent years I have heard more and more people talking about a ketogenic diet, and more and more patients are asking if this is the right diet for them.

    You know, of course, that I will not give you an unequivocal answer here, because each of us is different. But I will explain what a ketogenic diet means and when it is more or less appropriate.

    In principle, our body receives energy from three main sources:

    Carbohydrates (grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables ...), fats (various oils, butter ...) and proteins (animal products, legumes ...).

    When carbohydrates are broken down in the body, they are digested as sugars which are burned in the processes of energy production in the body. The body usually has a sufficient supply of carbohydrates for about 24 hours, after which the body begins to break down fats to generate energy. Once this process of burning fats for energy production begins, another process occurs. The fat is converted in the liver to fatty acids and ketones. When the levels of ketones in the blood rise (ketosis, or acidosis), the heart, muscles and brain use the ketones as an alternative energy source for sugar.

    This process occurs naturally in the body when it is on a fast lasting over a day - day and a half.

    A ketogenic diet mimics the effect of fasting, without avoiding food - by using a high-fat diet, a sufficient amount of protein, and about 2-4% carbohydrates. This avoidance of carbohydrates "tricks" our body, and causes a change in the body’s biochemical mechanisms. We are actually forcing our body into a state of ketosis and burning fat as the main fuel source in the body instead of sugar.

    The traditional ketogenic diet includes a menu that contains about 75% fat, 20% protein and about 5% carbohydrates - usually without calorie restriction. In order to reach a state of ketosis, carbohydrate intake should be reduced to 30-50 grams per day – depending, of course, on height, weight, sex and the degree of physical activity (the more extreme the avoidance of carbohydrates, the faster a state of ketosis is reached).
    At the beginning of the process, you may see the appearance of headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and excessive urination (think about the symptoms you are familiar with before the end of a fast...). Adaptation to ketosis varies from person to person, and can take up to 6 weeks.

    Possible benefits include weight loss, improved epileptic conditions, improved diabetes indices, and, according to recent studies, a ketogenic diet may have a positive effect in cancer and neurological diseases. If you suffer from epilepsy and have iron willpower - this diet may suit you like a glove.

    Possible disadvantages include constipation (very low fibre intake!), hypoglycemia, excess cholesterol, osteoporosis, kidney stones, and possibly also pancreatitis. Long-term use of a ketogenic diet in children can lead to developmental delays. In addition, it is not possible to be on a ketogenic diet without having to take supplements in order to cover nutritional deficiencies.

    In short, as usual, I do not have an unequivocal answer to the question of whether or not you should try the diet. What I can say is that a diet with which you cannot survive without taking nutritional supplements requires real consideration, and should not be embarked on without a really good reason, and without th

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • When should I take supplements? How long? How do I know if the supplement is working?

    In my first meeting with new patients, I always ask for a list of all the supplements they are taking. I am often surprised by the length of these lists ...

    We are all familiar with a situation where something is wrong with us, and we hear a recommendation from friends, or read a recommendation on a website for a supplement, and think to ourselves - what do we have to lose?

    Today there are a lot of supplements whose action is so familiar that no one thinks twice about them, like vitamin C in the winter, or probiotics combined with antibiotics. There are indeed situations where it is not a problem to take a dietary supplement by yourself, but this is not always the case. So how do you know when you should seek professional advice before taking supplements?

    Let's try to make some order.

    First of all - what are nutritional supplements?

    Nutritional supplements are products that contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, plant components, or other nutrients, their purpose is to provide essential elements that we do not get enough of in our diet.

    When do we need them?

    There are situations in life when, for one reason or another, we have an increased need for a particular element, or we are unable to consume it in sufficient quantities. When this happens, taking a dietary supplement is definitely a simple and convenient "crutch" - as long as we do not forget that the goal is to return to a balanced state in which we do not need the supplement forever.

    Taking supplements wisely

    When considering whether there is a benefit to a particular supplement, I always think about a few things:

    What is the patient’s state of health - are there any background diseases or things that are worth knowing about? Background diseases can affect our need for various supplements. Are you taking any medication? This also includes over-the-counter medications! There are often reciprocal reactions between dietary supplements and herbs, and medications. When the supplements are taken can have an impact in cases where several supplements are being taken, if they are combined with medications, or simply in order to ensure effective absorption of the supplement. Situations in which the supplement has different derivatives or parts - often different supplements have different derivatives of the same substance, or are simply different types. Dosage - I always try to start with the lowest effective dose, both to give the body time to adjust and avoid side effects, and also because many times the supplement packaging recommends a higher dose than is really necessary

    Another thing that is important is to pay attention to the effect of the supplements - positive or negative.

    It is true that we cannot always know, and most of us will not notice any immediate effect when taking a supplement. I do not know anyone who has noticed the effect of taking vitamin C, for example, unless they are taking a dose high enough to suffer from side-effects (over 2 grams per day). What I really mean by paying attention to the effect of the supplement is that we want to know if the supplement is helping, or not. If you have started taking a supplement and you feel unwell, stop taki

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x


  • Kids can be ridiculously stubborn when it comes to eating vegetables, and when they are allowed to choose what to eat - cakes and cookies will win most of the time. Getting children to eat more vegetable can seem like an endless battle. There are advertisements for processed foods everywhere, often using children’s stars and role models to promote the products. It is not so surprising that diabetes and obesity are becoming so prevalent.

    But fear not: there are some effective ways how to get your kids to eat more vegetables, given a degree of persistence and perseverance.

    Set an example - children learn by imitating their parents. If you want them to eat vegetables, you have to eat them too. Increase food rich in nutrients, plant-based food, vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, nuts, and so on in your diet. You cannot teach your kids to eat vegetables while you sneak in fries or burgers on the side. The kids will follow your behaviour because, although it may not always seem to be the case, parents are the biggest role model in their lives.

    Talk to them - communication is key. Talk to your children about why they should eat more and different vegetables. Explain to them that the nutrients in vegetables and fruits help to keep them well, grow stronger bone, and make the brain work better. You should also tell them that eating unhealthy food has direct consequences such as overweight, acne, and other problems.

    Get them involved - children have more interest in the meal if they are involved in its preparation. You can take them to the local market or grocery store, and also let them pick one or two vegetables to cook for the next dinner. Even better, you can also involve them in planting vegetables in the garden. Let them clean the vegetables, tear the salad leaves, mix the dressing. Helping to set the table will also encourage their cooperation at mealtime.

    Do not make them eat - if your child will only eat a few bites, leave him or her be and do not force them to finish up. Coercion, arguments and punishments only deliver a negative experience. If they have five bites today, maybe tomorrow they will have six bites. The aim is to have steady progress, and to encourage the children to try many different vegetables and fruits.

    Arrange the food to attract the kids’ attention - You can cook a variety of vegetables and arrange them on the plate. Raw vegetables can be arranged to form a face, or a flower. Fruit can be cut into a fruit salad and served in cups. Food that looks attractive always goes down better!

    And just one last tip: if there are fresh, washed, cut up and nicely arranged fruits and vegetables on the table when the kids are home, they are more than likely to just go ahead and nosh on them by themselves without needing any special encouragement from you.

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • I love grounding. It’s a simple, easy, fun, and free method everyone can use literally right now to improve their health.

    What is it?

    Grounding, also known as earthing, is literally reconnecting to the earth: i.e. walking on the earth. It requires direct skin contact with the surface of the Earth, such as with bare feet or hands, or with various grounding systems. In this connection, we are reconnecting the conductive human body to the Earth's natural and subtle surface electric charge. Some research has referred to this as electric nutrition.

    This electric connection to the earth has been lost with our modern lifestyle, which causes what has been dubbed by researchers “electron deficiency syndrome”, which is supposed to be a significant cause of multiple health disorders. The lost contact with the Earth may contribute to electrical imbalances, a build-up of disruptive static electricity (positive charges), and an unrecognized electron deficiency in the body, and with it, vulnerability to dysfunction, disorder, and disease.

    The earths’ surface is affected electrically by lightning strikes, solar radiation, atmospheric dynamics, all of which endow earths’ surface (as well as bodies of water) with a continuous renewed supply of free electrons, which give earth a natural negative electric charge. When we sleep, walk, touch the earth it is hypothesized that we transfer these free electrons into the body, which results in physiological changes.

    Sounds simple enough, right?

    It is!

    So what are the effects of said grounding?

    Reconnection with the Earth's electrons has been found to promote intriguing physiological changes and subjective reports of well-being. Grounding helps stabilize the physiology of the body, reducing inflammation, pain and stress improving blood flow, lymphatic return to the heart, improved sleep and improved wellbeing.

    The research on grounding spans from improving autonomic nervous system functions in premature infants, to improved inflammation following injury, improved sleep, normalized cortisol rhythm (and shifting the nervous system from sympathetic to parasympathetic activation), reduced blood viscosity and so much more!

    So really, there’s very little downside to applying this technique. Walk outside on the grass, sand or stone barefoot. Do your gardening while barefoot. Play with your kids outside on the grass barefoot. Lay down on the beach. Have fun!
    PS:
    If you've given it a go and want to share your experiences, please contact me at: http://www.mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • You’ve heard the saying: “you are what you eat” right? A more accurate sentiment though, is “you are what your microbiome eats”!

    The lining of our gut is covered in organisms which create a micro-ecosystem called the microbiome. You may or may not know that this little ecosystem within us has a huge role to play in our mood, our behaviours and our health.

    A few examples of what our gut microbes do include:

    1. Help in maintaining a healthy weight

    2. Help with healthy immune responses

    3. Help protect against metabolic disorders

    4. Help produce short-chain fatty acids

    5. Production of vitamins

    6. Production of about 95% of the serotonin in our body

    The way we eat affects our microbiome, and has a huge impact on its health, which then impacts our health. There are hundreds of different species of bacteria in our gut, and keeping that balance is key! When you are healthy, you can trust that your gut is in balance and will do all that it should. However, most of us find that either through deficient diets, chronic health conditions, use of medication, lack of sleep or other lifestyle issues, our gut bacteria and therefore health are at a degree of imbalance.

    This balance can be maintained either through helping the ones we have grow by providing them the foods they like (these are pre-biotic foods) or by adding more good live bacteria to the mix (these are probiotics). Synbiotics refers to a supplement which combines both the bacteria (probiotic) and the food it needs (prebiotic), but we’ll get to that later.

    Prebiotics

    Prebiotics are plant fibres, they help feed and stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, as well as enhance their activity. These fibres aren’t digestible by the body and so they pass through out digestive system to become food for bacteria and other microbes.

    They can be found in plant-based sources you’re probably already consuming such as flax, hemp and chia seeds, oats and legumes, fruits and vegetables like bananas, asparagus, kiwis and Jerusalem artichokes. They can also be found in fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso and tempeh.

    Probiotics

    Probiotics are live bacteria which we may ingest in order to directly add to the population of healthy microbes in our gut. A single dose may include a particular strain of microbe or blend of microbes.

    Research into the use of probiotic supplementation has found benefits not only in digestive issues, but a very wide range of conditions, from blood pressure to mental health.

    Each persons’ microbiome is completely unique, and that’s why there’s no fool proof way of knowing which would work best for you aside from taking a microbiome test, however working with a naturopath means you can use their knowledge of research and clinical experience to help you find the best solution.

    Prebiotics and probiotics are vital for the health of your gut and your body in general and consuming more of them is easily achieved!

    Incorporate live culture foods on a daily or weekly basis, ensure plenty of fibre and you’re there!

    If you have any questions, come start the conversation at www.mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
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    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • Talking about hydration!

    The truth is that you don’t need to make a big “effort” to be dehydrated. A lot of us live that way constantly throughout our lives.
    If your body lost only 1.5-2% of the water that it usually contains (note that our body normally has 60-70% water), you will reach the critical point of mild dehydration.
    “When dehydration reduces body mass by more than 2%, it has been consistently reported that mood is influenced, fatigue is greater, and alertness is lower.”

    A recent NIH publication found that good hydration may reduce long-term risks for heart failure.
    In this episode we talk about what proper hydration means, and what are some great tips and suggestions for avoiding dehydration are...

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
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    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • It's spring time! The days get longer, the weather is warming up, spring is approaching and everyone starts spring cleaning the house and refreshing their wardrobe. And what else happens in the spring? Along with the spring come seductive articles that appear everywhere on detox diets.

    Why? There are a number of reasons. The obvious reason is that these are usually diets that contribute to weight loss, and before the summer almost all of us have thoughts about this. But the truth is, bikinis are not the only reason. According to Chinese medicine, in the spring the body starts natural detoxification processes. In the winter our body hoards, because fat means more body heat, but when the weather warms up we need less padding. Notice that in the summer we tend to eat a little less than in winter, and this change begins in the spring.

    Despite the positive publicity given to these spring cleanses, it is important to remember that detoxification is not for everyone. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people who suffer from an illness or an eating disorder - should not do detoxification. If you are unsure, contact a therapist who understands about the subject.

    Opponents of cleansing diets argue that the body eliminates what it needs to naturally, and there is no need to help it. In general it can be said that they are right, detoxification processes are indeed always occurring in our body. However, in some situations where an excess of toxins can interfere with the optimal functioning of the body. Excessive toxicity in the body can cause a wide range of symptoms: headaches, abdominal pain and bloating, skin problems, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, a weak immune system, chronic fatigue, and more.

    What are these toxins? There are environmental toxins such as air pollution, spraying of pesticides, eating the wrong things, and more; there are internal toxins like chronic constipation, and excess blood lipids; and there are also emotional toxins (the Chinese will say that what makes it hardest on the liver, for example, is anger).

    What is a detox diet? By and large, this refers to a dietary change that includes avoiding environmental toxins, and eating a "clean" diet that allows the body a little rest that will encourage it to eliminate toxins more effectively, often by combining foods and medicinal herbs that also encourage the body's natural detoxification action.

    Here are ten things you really need to know about detoxification, and you can start doing it on your own, right now:

    1. Avoid the following foods: alcohol, caffeine, meat, dairy products, sugar, and processed foods.

    2. Eat lots of organic fruits and vegetables. Eat salads, soups and stir-fries. Use fresh herbs rather than dry and processed spices.

    3. Prefer vegetable protein such as legumes (preferably sprouted), nuts and seeds that are not roasted or salted.

    4. Drink only water and herbal infusions, but drink a lot of them! Try to drink 2-3 litres of water a day.

    5. You can start the morning with a glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon.

    6. Brush your body with a dry brush before showering, from the feet up, and from the arms and head down.

    7. Moderate exercise is recommended during a cleanse (and always).

    8. Listen to your body: eat only when you are hungry and until you are full, but no more t

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
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    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • There is an old formula that says: If I want to lose weight, I need to eat fewer calories than I expend. If I take in more calories than I expend (through my regular daily activities) then I will gain weight, and if I take in less, I will lose weight. This equation is not only old, it is outdated.

    It is an old approach that we know today to be inaccurate. There are a lot of factors that affect weight loss.

    There are actually 4 things that are important in the weight loss process, and if we do not pay attention to them, no matter how well we think we are doing, the weight will stay on:

    1. Nutrition: It matters less how many calories you eat, and more what these calories contain

    Real food is packed with nutrients. This means that it contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, fibre and more. In a relatively small amount of food, we get a wide range of good things.

    Here is an example: One medium banana (118 grams) has 105 calories.

    What else is in the banana? Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, pantothenic acid, choline, betaine, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and fluoride.

    Stop counting calories, start counting nutrients.

    2. Physical exercise: The more you do the better you will feel

    Seriously, you know that. How good do you feel after a short walk on a Saturday morning, with the sunshine and the birds and the clean air? We all know that sport causes the secretion of endorphins, and makes us feel better.

    To keep ourselves healthy we need to make sure that what goes into our body is good, but we also need to make sure that we help with the cleansing activity of our body. You may have heard of all kinds of liver cleanses? So I'm talking about daily maintenance of the body's excretory systems. There are three main ones: kidney, liver, and skin. If you eat less processed food, you are helping your liver. If you drink enough water you are helping your kidneys. If you exercise and sweat, you are helping your skin.

    Sweat a little every day.

    3. Screen time: The less time you spend in front of a screen the more time you will spend being creative

    Well, there are plenty of reasons for this.

    First of all, the more time we spend sitting in front of the TV, computer, tablet or phone, the less time we spend on the move. Movement is life. More than that, the more time we spend in front of screens the less time we spend interacting with friends and family, and doing things that really make us happy.

    But it's not just that! These screens all emit blue light. This light can cause hormonal disruption (note that the latest versions of the phones almost all have a red light app in order to reduce the damage), and cause sleep disturbances due to the disruption in melatonin activity.

    4. Sleep: Good sleep leads to better decisions

    Seriously. Did you know that even one night without sleep will lead to a change in the decision-making process? How? When we don’t sleep enough, instead of a more developed part of the brain being responsible for making decisions, responsibility is transferred t

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
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    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x

  • Emotional Eating: From Slavery to Freedom

    How do our emotions relate to and influence our dietary choices? How does the food we eat change our mood?

    Emotional eating is a hot topic right now, probably because after trying all the possible diets, going from one extreme to another, from paleo to vegan, what we have found is that nutrition is one part of the picture, but the other part is our feelings and their impact on quantity and quality of what we eat. How can emotions be separated from dietary choices? There are four steps to this:

    1. Are we emotional eaters? Awareness has a huge impact, it is important that we distinguish between eating out of hunger, and emotional eating. Emotional eating happens quickly: something occurs that evokes an emotion in us (it could be something at work, certain behaviour by another person, anything at all...) and immediately afterwards we feel the urge to eat.

    2. Developing alternatives to extricate ourselves from the situation. As soon as you understand that your urge to eat right now is not related to hunger but is related to certain emotions, you should take a step back, and think of an alternative to food. It could be going for a walk to clear your head for ten minutes, calling a friend, writing in your diary, doing sports, doing anything else that will distract you. It takes the brain on average 15 minutes to readjust, so if you can distance yourself from the situation even just for quarter of an hour your brain can recalculate.

    3. Looking at the deeper implications of dietary choices. First of all, the basic tendency of most of us is to ask ourselves questions before, and not after. Two minutes before eating it, we think "how much do I want this chocolate now?", instead of asking ourselves thirty minutes after we have finished eating it, "Did it make me feel better?"

    4. Balancing blood sugar levels: As we make our diet healthier, blood sugar levels stabilise. Studies have found that among people with stable blood sugar levels, the tendency to have food cravings is just 15%, but when blood sugar levels are unstable, this percentage rises to 65%. So maintaining stable sugar levels may prevent food cravings ... in short, the chicken and the egg in the best way possible: eat well, feel better, feel better, eat better!

    Thank you so much for listening to our podcast!
    We'd love to continue the conversation, so please follow us on social media
    https://www.instagram.com/maya_naturopathy/
    https://www.facebook.com/ActionForWellness
    And of course as usual the full information discussed on the blog is available on the website
    mayanaturopathy.co.uk

    Maya x