Vitamins

Healthy Smoothies

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Healthy Smoothies

I like the idea of healty smoothies – a great way to superboost my nutrition. I take a very proactive approach to my health and I’m constantly looking for ways to insure my health against the things that detract from being healthy.

  • stress
  • ageing
  • environmental factors
  • and, of course, now we’re all faced with the long term prospect of living with COVID 19.

GOOD MORNINGS START WITH A SMOOTHIE..BUT HOW CAN YOU BE SURE IT’S REALLY HEALTHY

But when it comes to smoothies, there are a couple of things that I’m not so impressed with –

  • They can be time consuming to make.
  • They can be quite expensive to buy pre-made.
  • Some recipes are laden with calories, so unless they are a meal substitute, they are an easy way to gain weight. I came across one recipe for a peanut butter smoothie that contained over 800 calories!
  • It’s very tempting to add lots of fresh fruit (well fruit is healthy, isn’t it?) so that the smoothie tastes nice but then the smoothie is really high in sugar and triggers rebound hunger.
  • Without fruit etc a smoothie can taste a bit yuk and can be literally hard to swallow.
Healthy Smoothies

Healthy Smoothies – Requirements

So, my requirements for the perfect smoothie are:

  • Quick and easy to make.
  • Full of vitamins and minerals.
  • Low in calories.
  • Low cost.
  • Tastes nice.

Whilst in the supermarket, my gaze was drawn to smoothie packs in the freezer compartment. It seems a great idea to have a smoothie pack to hand in the freezer, eliminating the need for laborious washing and peeling of ingredients. But on closer inspection, these smoothie packs were just packs of pre-prepared mixed fruit, which was precisely what I was trying to avoid.

However if I made my own smoothie packs and added only the ingredients I wanted, I could tick all the boxes of my requirements. So here’s my recipe for a super healthy, energy efficient, low calorie smoothie. I will honestly admit that it doesn’t score high on the delicious stakes but it’s definitely not awful – especially if I drink it ice cold, as soon as I’ve blended it from frozen.

Healthy Smoothies – Recipe

Healthy Smoothies, recipe
  • 1 bag spinach
  • 35 pieces of frozen pineapple
  • 1 bag frozen raspberries
  • 7 tsps chia seeds
  • 7 scoops of green powder – my choice at the moment is Green Vibrance, which contains over 70 ingredients – all manner of dried vegetable, herb and fruit extracts and probiotics.

You will also need

6 zip lock bags

1 Nutribullet or equivalent blender that can blend frozen food

Divide the ingredients between 6 zip lock bags and your blender. Blend and enjoy your fresh smoothie and pop the six smoothie packs in the freezer for another day.

I worked out that each smoothie was 109 calories and costs under £2.10 per serving. I looked at a local juice bar and their green juice is 324 calories and costs £6.70. I could find out what was in the juice and which macronutrients it contained, but there was no information about the micronutrients i.e. vitamins and minerals.

So these little bags of goodness get put straight into the freezer and when needed I just pull one out, pop it into my Nutribullet, add cold water and whiz! It literally takes seconds, which is a complete godsend when I’m needing to rush out of the door to get to work on time.

Happy Healthy Juicing!

Vitamin D Deficiency

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Vitamin D Deficiency

When I first started my studies to be a massage therapist, we were expected to cover the basics in nutrition.Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D was glossed over – as the body can store it in the liver, we were told, then it was unlikely that we would see signs of deficiency .

This was especially when you didn’t even have to eat ‘healthy food’ to get a supply of it. Simply by being in the sun would ensure you topped your stores of it up.

The only people at risk of deficiency were thought to be those who had a ‘goth’ lifestyle, for example slept by day and came out at night.

Presumably vampires are at risk too!

But more recently the media have been highlighting a growing concern that we are more and more likely to be deficient in this important vitamin. One study (but be cautious, they sell vitamin supplements!) claims their survey discovered 9 out of 10 people have symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency.

So What Does Vitamin D do?

Vitamin D aids the body’s absorption of calcium so it is essential to the growth and strength of bones. In extreme circumstances a deficiency in this vitamin causes rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults.

Vitamin D is important to the body in many other ways as well. Muscles need it to move, nerves need it to carry messages between the brain and every body part and the immune system needs vitamin D to fight off invading bacteria and viruses. Vitamin D is found in cells throughout the body. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis, so this is a really important topic for post menopausal women. A prospective cohort study of 72,000 post-menopausal women in the U.S. reported that the women who took in at least 600 IU/day of vitamin D3 (through diet and supplements) had a 37% decreased risk of osteoporotic hip fracture than the women who consumed less than 140 IU/day.

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include:

  • Weak immune system, including frequent coughs and colds
  • Fatigue, bone ache, joint and muscle pain
  • SAD or depression
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Rickets

So how much Vitamin D do we need and where do we get it from?

Although this nutrient is found in foods, the greatest source for obtaining vitamin D is through the skin. When bare skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, it synthesizes vitamin D3 that is then stored in the liver. You only need 10-15 minutes of sun exposure during peak sun hours (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in most locations) during the summer months to produce up to 10,000 IUs of the nutrient. After that short exposure you can continue with safe sun habits and slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen. It’s thought that if you live above 42 degrees North latitude then the sun’s rays do not provide sufficient Vitamin D from November through February. I think that puts most of us in the United Kingdom at a bit of a disadvantage! Remember too, that UVB rays do not penetrate glass or sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8 or more.

But in researching this topic I have found the NHS advice confusing on NHS Choices . In the article it tells us we need 10 or 5 mg a day and then tells us to take no more than 0.025mg, but mg refers to both micrograms and milligrams. Advice also varies as to how much time should be spent in the sun and how much of our skin should be exposed to absorb sufficient quantities of Vitamin D.

There is an increased risk of deficiency in people who have one or more of these risk factors:

  • Dark skinned
  • Live in Northern latitudes
  • Over the age of 50
  • Post-menopausal
  • A diet low in foods containing vitamin D
  • Fat malabsorption syndromes
  • Obesity
  • Inflammatory bowel disease

Some drugs reduce the absorption of Vitamin D: the weight loss drug, Orlistat (brand names include Xenical and Alli), antacids, some cholesterol lowering drugs, some anti-seizure medications, and steroids (like Prednisone) interfere with the absorption of Vitamin D, so discuss your vitamin D intake with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any of these drugs.

There are two forms of the vitamin, D2 and D3 (cholecalciferol), with D3 the form best metabolized by the body. Vitamin D is found in foods such as fish, eggs, fortified milk and that old remedy, cod liver oil.

What to do next: Vitamin D Deficiency

Try to eat Vitamin D rich foods every day. Get some sunshine on your skin, but make sure you follow healthy guide lines to avoid the risk of skin cancer. If you are concerned you have some signs of deficiency and particularly if you are in one or more of the high risk groups, talk to you doctor about getting tested for deficiency.

And finally a note of caution. Excessive consumption of Vitamin D is toxic particularly as the body can store it in the liver. Balance in everything is the key to good health.

For further information, do feel free to contact us.

How to spot Vitamin Deficiency

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At certain times in our lives our nutrition may not be as good as we’d like it to be.

We take on more and more commitments and don’t take the steps necessary to maintaining ourselves. 

What are the signs that we can all spot, so we can make simple changes to make the most of our health.

Body Cue No. 1: Cracks at the corners of your mouth.

The Deficiency: Iron, zinc, and B vitamins like niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2), and B12.

The Fix: Eat more poultry, salmon, tuna, eggs, oysters, clams, sun-dried tomatoes, Swiss chard, tahini, peanuts, and legumes like lentils.  Iron absorption is enhanced by vitamin C, which also helps fight infection, so combine these foods with vegetables like broccoli, red bell peppers, kale, and cauliflower.
• • •

Body Cue No. 2: A red, scaly rash on your face (and sometimes elsewhere) and hair loss.

The Deficiency: Biotin (B7), known as the hair vitamin.

While your body stores fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), it doesn’t store most B vitamins, which are water-soluble. Body builders take note: Eating raw eggs makes you vulnerable, because a protein in raw eggs called avidin inhibits the body’s ability to absorb biotin.

The Fix: Reach for more cooked eggs (cooking deactivates avidin), salmon, avocados, mushrooms, cauliflower, soya beans, nuts, raspberries, and bananas.
• • •

Body Cue No. 3: Red or white acne-like bumps, typically on the cheeks, arms, thighs, and buttocks.

The Deficiency: Essential fatty acids and vitamin A and vitamin D.

The Fix: Skimp on saturated fat and trans fats, which you should be doing anyway, and increase healthy fats. Focus on adding more salmon and sardines, nuts like walnuts and almonds, and seeds like ground flax, hemp and chia. For vitamin A, pile on leafy greens and colourful veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, and red peppers.
• • •

Body Cue No. 4: Tingling, prickling, and numbness in hands, feet, or elsewhere.

The Deficiency: B vitamins like folate (B9), B6, and B12.

The Fix: Seek out spinach, asparagus, beets, beans (pinto, black, kidney, lima), eggs, octopus, mussels, clams, oysters, and poultry.
• • •

Body Cue No. 5: Unusual muscle cramps in the form of stabbing pains in toes, calves, arches of feet, and backs of legs.

The Deficiency: Magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

The Fix: Eat more bananas, almonds, hazelnuts, squash, cherries, apples, grapefruit, broccoli, bok choy, and dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and dandelion.

To find out more, follow this link to the rest of the article

Vitamin D Deficiency

by

When I first started my studies to be a massage therapist, we were expected to cover the basics in nutrition.  Vitamin D was glossed over – as the body can store it in the liver, we were told, then it was unlikely that we would see signs of deficiency – especially when you didn’t even have to eat ‘healthy food’ to get a supply of it.  Simply by being in the sun would ensure you topped your stores of it up.  The only people at risk of deficiency were thought to be those who had a ‘goth’ lifestyle – slept by day and came out at night.  Presumably vampires are at risk too!

But more recently the media have been highlighting a growing concern that we are more and more likely to be deficient in this important vitamin.  One study (but be cautious, they sell vitamin supplements!) claims their survey discovered 9 out of ten people have symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency.

So What Does Vitamin D do?
Vitamin D aids the body’s absorption of calcium so it is essential to the growth and strength of bones.  In extreme circumstances a deficiency in this vitamin causes rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults.

Vitamin D is important to the body in many other ways as well. Muscles need it to move, nerves need it to carry messages between the brain and every body part and the immune system needs vitamin D to fight off invading bacteria and viruses.  Vitamin D is found in cells throughout the body.  Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis, so this is a really important topic for post menopausal women.  A prospective cohort study of 72,000 post-menopausal women in the U.S. reported that the women who took in at least 600 IU/day of vitamin D3 (through diet and supplements) had a 37% decreased risk of osteoporotic hip fracture than the women who consumed less than 140 IU/day.

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include:

  • Weak immune system, including frequent  coughs and colds.
  • Fatigue, bone ache, joint and muscle  pain
  • SAD or depression
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Rickets

So how much Vitamin D do we need and where do we get it from?
Although this nutrient is found in foods, the greatest source for obtaining vitamin D is through the skin.  When bare skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, it synthesizes vitamin D3 that is then stored in the liver.  You only need 10-15 minutes of sun exposure during peak sun hours (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in most locations) during the summer months to produce up to 10,000 IUs of the nutrient.  After that short exposure you can continue with safe sun habits and slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen.  It’s thought that if you live above 42 degrees North latitude then the sun’s rays do not provide sufficient Vitamin D from November through February.  I think that puts most of us in the United Kingdom at a bit of a disadvantage!  Remember too, that UVB rays do not penetrate glass or sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8 or more.

But in researching this topic I have found the NHS advice confusing on NHS Choices . In the article it tells us we need 10 or 5 mg a day and then tells us to take no more than 0.025mg, but mg refers to both micrograms and milligrams.  Advice also varies as to how much time should be spent in the sun and how much of our skin should be exposed to absorb sufficient quantities of Vitamin D.

There is an increased risk of deficiency in people who have one or more of these risk factors:

  •  Dark skinned
  •  Live in Northern latitudes
  •  Over the age of 50
  •  Post-menopausal
  •  A diet low in foods containing vitamin D
  •  Fat malabsorption syndromes
  •  Obesity
  •  Inflammatory bowel disease

Some drugs reduce the absorption of Vitamin D: the weight loss drug, Orlistat (brand names include Xenical and Alli), antacids, some cholesterol lowering drugs, some anti-seizure medications, and steroids (like Prednisone) interfere with the absorption of Vitamin D, so discuss your vitamin D intake with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any of these drugs.

There are two forms of the vitamin, D2 and D3 (cholecalciferol), with D3 the form best metabolized by the body.  Vitamin D is found in foods such as fish, eggs, fortified milk and that old remedy, cod liver oil.

What to do next:
Try to eat Vitamin D rich foods every day.  Get some sunshine on your skin, but make sure you follow healthy guide lines to avoid the risk of skin cancer.  If you are concerned you have some signs of deficiency and particularly if you are in one or more of the high risk groups, talk to you doctor about getting tested for deficiency.

And finally a note of caution.  Excessive consumption of Vitamin D is toxic particularly as the body can store it in the liver.
Balance in everything is the key to good health.