Nourish - One-to-One Interview with Rita Tarvydaite, Nourish Training Manager – Part 2
Q. We had a recent enquiry online from a customer “What are the advantages of taking Probiotics?” What advice would you give?
Probiotic supplements contain a variety of good bacteria, which we also call a microbiome. They are naturally present in our body at high quantities and multiple strains. They are mainly within our digestive tract. However, due to very common high acidity diets, which are packed with sugar, high in caffeine and rich in processed food, the good bacteria might become compromised and imbalanced. Taking a probiotic won’t only support your digestive system, but it may also improve your mood, sleeping pattern and cognitive function. This is due to hormone serotonin, which the majority of it is produced in the gut, rather than the brain. Therefore, nourishing your gut can help you to produce more serotonin, meaning you can be a happier version of yourself.
Q. Another customer got in touch to say that her 15-year-old son suffers from Eczema. How would you go about dealing with such a question?
Eczema is a very common ailment. We see people with it regularly in Nourish. There are different types of Eczema, such as atopic or contact – so it is important to know which type we are dealing with, in order to provide the best solution. However, in every type, it is important to address any possible issues internally, such as lymphatic congestion or digestive insufficiency. To support pathways of elimination, such as lymphatic system, the liver and obviously the skin itself, herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion, cleavers and nettle are very useful. Some supplements, such as quercetin (a natural compound found in strawberries, apples and other foods), is used to ease the redness and itchiness of the skin, as it acts as a natural antihistamine.
In addition, using topical applications, such as creams is important too. For example, the Moogoo range is excellent and it has particularly good feedback from our customers for these type of conditions. We also have Aloe Vera Gels and lotions which can also help to soothe the inflamed skin. Of course, not addressing the diet and lifestyle would be counter-productive.
Often, it is as simple as eliminating an intolerance, which is most commonly wheat, dairy or sugar. If you’re in doubt, Nourish stocks a variety of intolerance kits and they are very easy to use. In addition, addressing stress is also quite important. We often see certain types of Eczema flare-ups in teenage boys and girls around exam times, when they are under stress. Therefore, managing stress is crucial.
Q. Is it difficult to say for how long Eczema will last before it is completely cured? Do some people have it for a long time?
If it is an atopic type of Eczema, which is autoimmune, a person could have it life-long. It is just a matter of managing it via supplements, diet and lifestyle. Healing the gut and supporting the immune system would be very important. However, the other type of eczema, contact dermatitis, could be caused by exposure to chemical soaps or detergents causing a reaction. Therefore, these type of cases are generally short-term, therefore using natural organic skin care and cleaning products is essential.
Q. Have you any advice on what vitamins, herbs or superfoods are good for boosting energy levels?
Most certainly. Poor energy levels are a very common issue for most people. First of all, we would look at the nutrition of people to make sure they are getting enough nutrients in their diet. Adding supplements, such as a good Methylated B-Complex of brands such as Terranova and Biocare, can be very useful. Superfoods are one of the best and most natural ways of getting more nutrients into the body. Microalgae spirulina is very rich in Iron, B-Vitamins, and protein and is very good for increasing energy. In addition, wheatgrass and maca are both superfoods with great effect on the energy.
Moreover, you could use adaptogenic herbs and nerve tonics. In everyday life, most of us encounter many stressors every day, such as busy demanding jobs, family issues; or even just running for the bus or being late for an important interview! Your adrenal glands are these little but very significant organs, that produce cortisol and adrenaline hormones. More of these hormones are produced, more stressed you are. Therefore, they are called stress hormones. If you continually feel stressed, your body will get more and more tired. Eventually, this could lead to chronic fatigue.
Thankfully we have some help from nature; herbs such as Gotu Kola, Ashwagandha and Siberian Ginseng are all supportive to those adrenal glands discussed earlier, therefore they can support your body’s ability to adapt to stressful situations every day and control the possible overproduction of stress hormones, that way reducing the persistent tiredness and fatigue. In addition to increasing the energy levels, these herbs can help the cognitive function and physical stamina.
Q. Have you encountered many people who also do meditation to reduce stress?
Yes, I have. Mindfulness is a great way of coping with stress. I always recommend to take a holistic approach to stress and address every possible avenue. So using mediation, mindfulness or yoga is very good for people. For some, just a walk in the park is enough. It is important to take some downtime, whenever possible
This is part 2 of a 3-part series of our Q & A sessions with Rita Tarvydaite. Check out Part 1 and Part 3 on our Nourish Blog!
*Please note that while we’re knowledgeable about our products & nutrition, this blog should never be a substitute for medical advice and attention
Remember that you should always obtain the all-clear from your doctor before starting any new supplement plan or diet if you’re on any medication
