Optimal Health at Christmas

By Adrianne Kop

Optimal health, and our health at Christmas, is taking responsibility for your own health and happiness so that you can live a life filled with energy and vitality.

We are all different. Genetic differences cause people to respond differently to the same nutrients, both to macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients).

Stress is the main cause of chronic disease, depression and anxiety today. This can be overcome with through preventative means. Consider good nutrition, regular exercise, adequate rest, sleep and a good attitude!

Most people are nutrient deficient today and that is why we need to supplement.

Coming from South Africa

In African there was always an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables that ripened by the sun. We thus had the nutrient levels that were much higher than the fruit and veg we eat in the UK. This is because of farming methods. Decades of farming have overworked and depleted the soil of minerals. Environmental factors, herbicides and pesticides used on crops, combined with distances the food is transported results in the nutrient variance between the fruit and vegetables.

Overcooking destroys valuable nutrients and microwaving alters the nutritional structure of food. Eating a rainbow of different foods supplies different nutrients. Poor lifestyle habits, smoking, alcohol and caffeine, inhibit the absorption of the nutrients. The imbalance in the level of each vitamin and mineral in the body has an effect on the other e.g. vitamin D needs calcium for absorption. Vitamins and minerals need to be replenished several times during the day.

In the U.K. on average we have less sunshine than in S.A. especially in the autumn and winter months, which could result in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. Symptoms appear as days get shorter and could become severe irritability, low energy, feeling depressed, experiencing changes in appetite, craving sugary carbohydrates resulting in weight gain. Feeling sluggish, hopeless, worthless and guilty. Melatonin which affects our sleep pattern is secreted at the wrong time of the day due to less sunshine. Serotonin, the feel-good hormone, regulates anxiety, happiness and mood swings.

Treatment options

• Bright light therapy is good, but changes sleep patterns
• Medication and anti-depressants only treat the symptom and not the cause
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Food supplementation

Vitamin D with Calcium, the sunshine vitamin only manufactured in the body through sun on the skin. Omega 3 fatty acids helps promote normal function of neurotransmitters.

When using supplements look at a company with leading science and research. Powerful quantities of concentrated Phytonutrients which show a seed to supplement process. Must be organic and natural, our bodies do not absorb chemicals. Should be endorsed by a third party. Food Supplementation is important as they help bridge a nutritional gap.

Exercise

Get plenty of exercise, especially outside on a sunny day. Plenty of good sleep from 22h00 and rise at the same time each day. This will normalise the Melatonin production of the body.

Diet

Ensure diet contains plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables across the colour spectrum. Drink enough properly-filtered water and eliminate refined and processed foods.

Stress

Stress is the cause of most chronic disease. Moving to another country, even with the same language can be very stressful, finding a new home and job, leaving loved ones behind, finances and uncertainty of the future. Health suffers when we don’t deal with it effectively and keep it in check. For quick stress relief, take a simple fast-paced walk or get a relaxing massage or meditation.

Stress results in increased blood pressure and heart disease, muscle tenseness, weakened digestion and immunity. Decreased brain function, brain fog and memory loss. More prone to infection, anxiety and depression.

Stress hormones Adrenaline and Cortisol remove important nutrients and we need to supplement with Vitamin B for a healthy nervous system, Vitamin C a key anti-stress supplement and Vitamin A, calcium and magnesium, eat plenty of fruit like bananas, nuts, wholegrains and green leafy vegetables and herbal teas.

Health at Christmas

Have you considered how you can look after your own health at Christmas? It is not easy when it is the season we tend to indulge. But just being reminded of what we can do to ensure we stay healthy, means we can consciously include as many of these points as we can.

‘What is Health?’ – written by Adrianne Kop too