Getting enough vitamin d to support your immunity is important: father and son fishing with fishing net in river in the autumn sunlight.

Vitamin D and immunity – a review of recent research

Vitamin D plays a critical role in protecting humans from invasive pathogens, reducing the risk of autoimmunity and maintaining optimal health – while low vitamin D levels leave an individual susceptible to infections and developing autoimmunity. This systematic review released last month takes an in depth look into the evidence around vitamin D’s mechanisms and effects on enhancing both innate and acquired immunity – and in this week’s blog we take a closer look at some of the most recent research examining vitamin D’s role in supporting immunity.

Continue reading  ▶

Last updated on 6th October 2023 by cytoffice

Happy, healthy family of three, in autumn woodland.

Foundations of health part one: probiotics

More than 2000 years ago, Hippocrates suggested that all disease begins in the gut, and modern medicine continues to demonstrate that, very often, this is indeed the case. The gut has many functions central to health including digestion, absorption, immunity, detoxification and elimination. However, many factors of modern living such as stress, poor diet, excess alcohol, illness and antibiotic use, can adversely affect gut health.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that help to keep the digestive system healthy by ameliorating the growth of harmful gut microbes and boosting the number and diversity of beneficial gut microbes. An imbalance of gut microflora may play a key role in the development of some gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders.

Replenishing gut microflora with a multi-strain probiotic supplement offers a simple and effective way to support the gut, and therefore overall health and wellbeing.

Continue reading  ▶

Healthy eating for children: blonde haired toddler girl with a cheeky grin holding broccoli.

Healthy eating for children: overcoming barriers to unhealthy diets

We all want our children to eat healthily but the reality is that there are often multiple barriers to implementing this such as a lack of understanding around healthy eating for children, time constraints, the appeal of unhealthy foods and cost. For instance, a survey carried out this year found that children across Britain are suffering worsening levels of tooth decay, anxiety and stunted growth as the cost of food has risen.1,2

The survey, which was conducted among school nurses from the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) and members of the British Dental Association (BDA) revealed that 65% of the respondents noticed a deterioration in children’s health and wellbeing, which was attributed to the worsening of living standards over the past year. Continue reading  ▶

Last updated on 8th September 2023 by cytoffice

Long covid recovery: group of multi-ethnic friends hiking in the woods in the summer following.

Long covid recovery: nutritional approaches and interventions  

Long covid is a complex condition which is still being understood. It appears to be characterised by endothelial damage, chronic inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to multiple symptoms, the most prevalent of which include; fatigue, brain fog and shortness of breath. Government statistics currently estimate that 2 million people in the UK are affected by long covid. With many people unable to lead their normal lives due to this debilitating condition and few available therapies for long covid recovery, it is important to consider the pathophysiology of long covid and how dysfunctions that contribute to symptoms can be counterbalanced.

This blog looks at the tangled web of dysfunctions that drive each other following covid infection and highlights potential long covid recovery interventions that may be beneficial for supporting individuals who are experiencing long covid.

Continue reading  ▶

Close up of feet walking on a boardwalk at a summer sunset

In the news – health and nutrition research

In this week’s article we provide a roundup of some of the most recent health and nutrition related articles, which all focus on aspects of healthy ageing. We analyse four items comprising:

  • Dietary flavonoids intake may delay the biological ageing process
  • Vitamin D may reduce inflammation in the ageing population
  • Just 20 minutes of brisk walking can bring mental health benefits
  • Omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to healthy lung function
  • Probiotics have the potential to reduce hypertension

Continue reading  ▶

Young attractive couple shopping at a farmers market for organic fruit and vegetables to support their liver health.

Natural ways to support your liver health

The liver is a highly metabolic organ with a range of functions which are essential for digestive health, hormone regulation as well as the detoxification and excretion of waste products. If the liver is under stress, it can contribute to multiple symptoms associated with excess toxicity, hormone dysregulation and digestive dysfunction. Hence, poor liver health is a major contributor to chronic disease and is associated with a decline in wellbeing.

The liver is also an essential regulator of blood glucose, cholesterol and clotting factors therefore, liver health has a significant influence on cardiovascular function. It is also intrinsically linked to the digestive system; waste products are excreted from the liver to the digestive system via the bile and absorption of products from the digestive system are transported to the liver for filtration. This filtration process protects multiple bodily systems, including the immune system by modifying the content of infectious agents in the bloodstream.

It is important to consider that the liver must be resilient to oxidative damage, stress and inflammation, to protect and support its optimal function. In this week’s blog we will look at the detoxification processes of the liver, dysfunction which contributes to poor liver health and associated conditions, and at how to support liver function.

Continue reading  ▶

Last updated on 27th September 2023 by cytoffice