You may have heard of the common condition of hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid. But what exactly is the thyroid, what causes it to be underactive, and what effects might it have on your body? What is the thyroid? The thyroid is a gland in the neck, shaped like a butterfly, which regulates the hormones associated with regulating the body’s metabolism. A lack of these hormones, triiodothyronine and thyroxine, can cause many of the body’s normal functions to slow down.1 What causes hypothyroidism? The most common reason behind...

Your lifestyle and eating habits can greatly affect your digestion, and it’s common to suffer from the symptoms of constipation. But there’s plenty you can do to prevent constipation, or cure it if it does occur. Tips for constipation relief 1. Don’t eat in a rush Wolfing down food means it isn’t chewed properly. The gut then has to process larger pieces, which takes longer and can cause constipation symptoms. It takes, on average, six to eight hours for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine, and around...

Usually, most of us will have an “appetite”, the desire to eat! Eating is an essential part of life, eating provides us with the energy and nutrients our body needs to stay fit and healthy. However, losing your appetite can sometimes mean that there is another reason behind it. In many cases, this may be related to medical or psychological causes. In this article, we’ll cover reasons why you may have had a loss of appetite, what you can do to help and when you should seek professional advice. What...

By Bhupesh, Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate 02 Feb 2022 • 5 min read It is a bit mind-blowing to think about, but we all have trillions of microorganisms from thousands of different species living inside our bodies and their collective term is microbiome.1 You’ll know that a strong immune system is vital to help us ward off common illnesses such as colds and flu, as well as reducing our chances of developing more serious diseases and autoimmune disorders. But did you know how important the microbiome is in overall health? Around 70-80%...

23 Nov 2022 • 2 min read Hormones have a huge influence on our health and wellbeing, but there are ways you can manage them, naturally. Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate different processes in the body. From feeling hungry to when it’s time to sleep, we need hormones to keep our bodies on track. But what happens when your hormones are out of balance? Discover seven natural ways to help prevent the hormonal see-saw. What are hormones? Your hormones include adrenaline, insulin and cortisol and the thyroid hormones,...

23 Nov 2022 • 1 min read According to science, having a positive mindset can keep us happy and healthy, whilst also helping us live longer.1 Powerful stuff. But what does positive thinking really mean and what techniques can we use to encourage a more optimistic attitude? Here we explore the science behind the positivity philosophy, together with simple ways to replace negativity with positive thoughts. Even when times get tough. What is a positive mindset? You’ve probably heard these phrases. Every cloud has a silver lining. Look on the bright...

If you struggle with muscular pain during your workout, it might be time to switch up your warm-up routine. Here, we’ll talk about dynamic stretching and how it can help you with your workout. What is dynamic stretching? Dynamic stretching is the use of movement to warm up specific muscles, getting them pumped and ready for exercise. It’s different from normal static stretching as it takes movements like squats and lunges and transforms them into stretches.1 Over recent years, dynamic stretching may have overtaken static stretching as it can prepare...

Calories smalories, we all consume them and some of us are more conscious of them than others, but how do you actually go about counting them? Have you had a go, but aren’t sure if you’re doing it right? Or maybe you’re just not sure where to start with the whole calories per day counting thing? Either way, this article’s here to set the record straight about counting calories, providing you with practical, easy-to-follow advice that’s designed to put any queries you may have had about calories to bed, once...

Those who practice yoga love to talk about its supposed benefits, but what does the science say? Is yoga a type of natural stress relief? Read on for more information about yoga and stress. What is yoga? Yoga is a form of exercise which has been taught in Asia for thousands of years.1 It involves getting into and holding a wide variety of different poses, or asanas, which are designed to strengthen the body and improve flexibility. Some of these positions are known by their Indian names, while others have been translated...