To improve our health, we must first understand what is causing these issues in the first place. We too often put these negative effects on health down to age and our genetics.... yes, these are factors, but they're certainly not the predominating factors.
Many of these issues are a result of intestinal permeability, inflammation and insulin resistance.
There are a number of things that contribute to these, but the four that have the largest impact are grains, vegetable / seed oils, the overconsumption of carbohydrates and the lack of absorption of highly bioavailable vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.
So... What can we do to address this?
Grains contain lectins, lectins bind to insulin receptors causing up to 5 x more fat storage than insulin itself which it counterintuitive to fat loss. Insulin resistance also leads to inflammation, but it gets worse, lectins also negate the absorption of other nutrients by binding to receptor sites on the microvilli lining the gut, if we're unable absorb sufficient nutrients then our body isn't going to heal and repair as well as it could, this will inevitably lead to the malabsorption of nutrients and the overconsumption of foods to compensate.
Lectins from grains also cause the release of a molecule called zonulin, zonulin release causes a gap in the tight junction between the epithelial cells allowing undigested protein molecules to travel into the bloodstream, the body then creates anti-bodies to fight these as they see them as foreign invaders. The issue there is, through a process called molecular mimicry these anti-bodies begin attacking other proteins in the body that look the same, this is autoimmune disease!
Lectins cause intestinal permeability in everyone, not just celiacs. Cutting the grain is job number one, this will allow the gut to heal and enable us to absorb the nutrients we need.
Now that you have removed grains, you need to supply the body with highly nutrient dense foods. Animal proteins and organ meats are the most nutrient rich foods on the planet and are the most bio-available, meaning the body absorbs more from these than it does from plant sources.
Red meat in particular has a far superior vitamin and mineral profile as well as amino profile compared with white meats.
Organ meats are also incredible, beef liver in particular is the most nutrient dense food available, this is the REAL super food.
Typically, anything you can find in your local butcher is great.
Many butchers also do rusk free products, speak with yours and see if they can supply you with rusk free burgers and sausages.
BUY IN BULK... The more you spend with your butcher, the better deal he will give you.
Don't be concerned with over purchasing, simply freeze half and pull it out of the freezer 24 hours before you need it.
Take a look at our shopping list for some great choices of meats, vegetables, fruits and drinks.
We produce 2 top quality protein sources, we have a probiotic protein shake and a collagen. Our protein shake (available in strawberry and chocolate) isn't processed like other shakes on the market, we use natural ingredients and as we don't add the nasties found in other products, the nutrients in these are highly bioavailable and boast a superior amino profile.
Bone broth is a fantastic source of collagen, but our collagen powder (which is available in an unflavoured, raspberry and orange flavour) is a convenient way to ensure you're getting enough within your diet. Unlike others on the market, ours is a blend of Tp1 & Tp3 collagen, ensuring you're body is getting all that it needs.
We can tackle insulin resistance & inflammation through diet and supplementation.
By restricting our carbohydrate and seed oil consumption, we remove the activation of insulin, leading to fat loss and a reduction in inflammation.
The issue here is that carbohydrates are sugar, sugar is a drug and it's more addictive than heroine, so cutting these back can be difficult initially.
So, in the addition of carbohydrate restriction, we have produced 2 supplements that can help.
Our C8 MCT Powder almost instantly breaks down into the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate, we also produce Beta-hydroxybutyrate in it's raw form...Why is this important?
Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) fights insulin resistance, making the body more insulin sensitive, when insulin is more sensitive, it doesn't linger in the system as long, leading to less fat storage.
BHB also supplies pure, clean energy which helps prevent you from snacking and even better, it suppresses appetite leading to much less carbohydrate consumption. These together are incredible tools to aid with fat loss.
Even in the presence of carbohydrates, BHB takes oxidative priority, meaning the body, brain and the heart preference it for energy over carbohydrates. The pure, clean energy supplied is higher and lasts longer than the energy supplied from carbs. BHB will even help a carb athlete buffer their glycogen stores, allowing them to train / compete for longer.
But it gets even better!
BHB is a signalling molecule, it signals the body to enter the metabolic state of ketosis. Ketosis is a natural metabolic state in which we burn fat for fuel. Ketosis increases UCP-1, an uncoupling protein that tells white fat to waste energy in the way brown fat does, these literally signal the body to burn fat.
Electrolytes often get overlooked, we're taught to fear sodium, but sodium is essential for life and as a society, we do not consume anywhere near the required amount. One of the main reason I find my clients are felling fatigued is due to an insufficient consumption of sodium and potassium.
To ensure we have the ability to produce energy, we need electrolytes. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help our body do much of its work!
We need them to move our muscles, send neurotransmitter signals from our brain to various organs and retain and regulate healthy fluid volume.
Electrolytes are essential for life! They allow us to create chemical energy from nutrient energy.
The best natural sources are Pink Himalayan rock salt and Celtic sea salt. Avoid table.
To be in an optimal range, we need between 4000-6000mg of sodium per day, as a tablespoon is less than 40% sodium, this means we would need to consume 15 tablespoons each day to reach this optimal level.
Our electrolytes are high strength and super bioavailable, we've used all natural ingredients and we've included astaxanthin, which is clinically proven for cardiovascular support and athletic performance!