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Hair Loss - Prevention and Tips
Hair loss can happen to anyone at any time. It doesn’t always discriminate by age or gender. That being said hair loss is more common in men than it is women, and more common in people over 50 years. Statistics state that 50% of males over 50 have some kind of hair loss. That being said, female hair loss is more common than most people think. Statistics say that 1⁄5 UK women over the age of 25 are experiencing some hair loss or thinning. The biology of hair Each individual hair sprouts from a hair follicle. The hair that we see is called the hair shaft, it is in its resting phase and is known as ‘club hair’. Our hair goes through numerous phases before we see it. First, it undergoes the active (anagen) phase, then the transitional (catagen) phase and then the resting (telogen) phase. The hair follicle is the’ living’ part of the hair. It has a brilliant blood supply that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the follicle, this is called the papilla. Below this is the germinal matrix. This contains unassigned stem cells that will eventually specialise to become hair cells. These divide every 23-72 hours. The anagen phase can take 3-4 years. The length of this phase will dictate the length of the hair grown, people who struggle to grow their hair past a certain point may have a shorter anagen phase and vice versa. Hair grows approximately 1cm every 28days. The catagen phase can last 2-3 weeks. The growth of the hair at this time slows down. The outer sheath of the hair shrinks and forms a ‘club hair’. The telogen phase lasts around 3 months. This is considered the resting phase. The hairs on our scalp are at different stages of the telogen phase. At the end of the phase, we shed the hairs. We lose approximately 50-100 hairs per day. Reasons for hair loss. Gender According to research, more males suffer from premature hair loss than females. The direct cause is unknown, but it’s thought that it is a combination of the environment and androgenetic alopecia. This is related to the male sex hormones, testosterone. It’s thought if the levels of testosterone are too high in a male, this can lead to elevated hair loss. Genetics The old wives tale says that we follow the pattern of baldness through our maternal side, but is there any truth in this? In truth genetics isn’t a solitary cause of hair loss, instead, it’s linked with hormone levels and the natural ageing process. Scientists have found a gene called the AR gene or the androgen receptor gene. Its role is to detect androgen hormones. The AR receptor is found on the ’X’ chromosome which means for males they inherit this from their maternal side Stress Studies have shown that stress and hair loss are linked. One disorder is called telogen effluvium which is where stress hormones can cause a high number of hair follicles to reach the resting phase, which after some time can lead to a high number of hair shafts to be shed. This can lead to 300 hairs being shed per day rather than 50-100. Post-partum During pregnancy and even after pregnancy the female body undergoes extreme hormones fluctuations which can lead to hairs remaining in the active/anagen phase for longer. Then 3-6months post-pregnancy the hair enters the telogen phase which can lead to excess shedding. Alopecia According to the British Skin Foundation, alopecia is the general term for hair loss. Typically alopecia causes hair loss in small patches all around the body. It can affect the scalp as well as other hair around the body. It’s likely to be caused by inflammation and the immune system attacking the hair follicles. Studies have found no association between nutrition and alopecia. However, people with alopecia are at higher risk for autoimmune diseases. Nutrition and Supplements for hair loss Biotin Biotin is also known as Vitamin B7. This will be the first nutrient that you come across if you research hair loss. Biotin carries a European food safety authority (EFSA) approved health claim which dictates that ‘Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair’. According to studies and literature there is very little evidence to suggest that biotin actually improves the thickness of hair. Amino Acids Keratin coats the hair shaft. It is made up of amino acids such as lysine, cysteine, arginine and methionine. That being said, no link has been confirmed between hair health by supplementing these amino acids. Ginseng Ginseng is from the Panax ginseng plant. Studies and approved health claims show that ginseng increases blood circulation to the scalp. This increases oxygen and nutrient carriage to the hair follicle. One review showed the following ‘...evidence suggesting that ginseng and its major bioactive constituents, ginsenosides, promote hair growth by enhancing proliferation of dermal papilla and preventing hair loss via modulation of various cell-signalling pathways.’ Selenium Selenium is a trace element that carries an EFSA approved health claim of ‘Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair’. If you are worried about hair loss, be mindful to seek an expert dermatologist or doctor’s opinion. Focus on keeping stress low and nutrition optimal. If you would like medical support with hair loss, take a hop over to our sister site : Vytaliving Online Doctor and Pharmacy, Hair Loss Treatments References ● https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-loss-prevention#1● https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-vitamins-hair-growth#section4● https://wimpoleclinic.com/blog/facts-and-statistics-about-hair-loss-in-the-uk/● https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/09/28/hair-loss-in-women_n_8207852.html ● https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-loss-and-testosterone#dht● https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6223099/● https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3301105● https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-biology-of-hair-1068785● https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/hereditary-patterned-baldness-a-to-z● https://blog.helix.com/male-pattern-baldness-genetics/● https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/telogen-effluvium-a-to-z● https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23682615● https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/● https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6163201/
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Flight or Fight: A Very Human Response
‘Flight or fight’ is one of the most well-researched processes in the human body. This is an evolutionary example of the human stress response. We have all felt the heart-pounding, dry-mouthed and muscle twitching feeling of flight or fight.
Skin Health and Common Skin Complaints
Never has the phrase ‘you are what you eat’ been truer when it comes to skin health. We all want celebrity-esque glowing clear skin but wants the secret? Not all of us are blessed with clear skin. Common ailments include rashes, acne, psoriasis and dermatitis, but is nutrition key to unlock healthy skin?
The Benefits of Exercise
This time of the year we are fighting for that runner’s high and post-gym buzz, but with the dwindling nights and cold weather, it makes it increasingly difficult to stick to a routine. Where do we find that love for pounding the pavements?
Diabetes Mellitus - Is it an epidemic?
Diabetes is a combination of excessive blood glucose, insulin insensitivity, and metabolic disturbance. There are two types of Diabetes Mellitus, which is the clinical term for diabetes. Predictive Statistics have shown that by 2025 approximately 5 million people could be affected by diabetes within the UK.
Cranberry - What can it do?
Cranberry or the Vaccinium macrocarpon is a bright red and small berry. As the old wives' tale says, it is a cure-all for Urinary tract infections. But it is so much more than this!
How Baobab Can Help Digestion
Baobab is also known as the ‘African Baobab’. The Latin name for this is Adansonia digitata. It’s a plant species that is native to Africa, Madagascar and later, Australia. The fruit grows on a distinctive tree which is bulbous in nature. Around the world, it is known as the ‘upside-down tree’ or the ‘Monkey bread tree’.
Digestive Health
No one likes to talk about their bowels - the rumbles, the grumbles and lets not even start on ...flatulence. But what’s normal bowel behaviour and what’s considered tummy trouble?
Why do we sleep?
Research has shown that the average UK person sleeps between 5.78 and 6.83 hours a night. Typically, women get more sleep than males. The UK is facing an epidemic of people constantly ‘tired’, so what are we doing wrong?Why do we sleep? Sleeping allows our brain time to rest and recuperate. It allows us to affirm memories and consolidate what we have learned in the day. Furthermore, it allows our body a period of unconsciousness to fix and tend to any damage in the body, produce hormones and repair muscles. We all know that sleepy feeling. We all have something called a circadian rhythm. Typically circadian rhythms cause us to feel sleepy in the night time and awake in the day. This is governed by a neurotransmitter called melatonin. When we are surrounded by faded light our melatonin increases which will bring about ‘sleepiness’.Melatonin begins to increase around 6 pm and decrease around 3 am until we naturally wake up. The first phase of sleep leads us out of consciousness and into unconsciousness. The second stage is a slightly deeper level of sleep but is still considered a ‘light’ sleep. Then, there are the third and fourth stages, this is where the body enters delta wave sleep, this is the deepest stage of sleep. We hear a lot about REM or Rapid Eye Movement, this is a very deep stage of sleep where dreams take place and our bodies lose muscle tone, seeing biological changes within the body such as differences blood pressure and heart rate. Common Reasons why people don’t sleep Common complaints of people with sleep disorders or struggle to sleep include the following: Too much caffeine- Caffeine is a stimulant and so can prevent feelings of tiredness Late technology activity- Late technology activity can trick the body into staying awake for longer due to light. Stress and overthinking- Has been shown to increase cortisol levels which can increase the feeling of awakeness Having young children- Breaking the sleep cycle Snoring or their partner snoring- Breaking the sleep cycle Excessive Noise- Can prevent the deeper stages of sleep Health conditions related to lack of sleep Studies have shown that chronic lack of sleep can increase the risk of some really scary diseases. Namely: Obesity - Reduced sleep can cause a person to feel more tired. This can lead a person to reach for energy dense sources of foods such as fast food, confectionery, crisps and chocolate. A study showed that people that slept under 6 hours a night were more likely to be overweight and obese than those that sleep over 8 hours. Diabetes- Research has shown that the body is unable to metabolise glucose in the same way when it is suffering from lack of sleep. This can affect blood glucose, insulin levels and thus diabetes. Cardiovascular Disease- There is research to suggest that lack of sleep is associated with increased risk of heart attacks, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Tips to Improve Sleep Limit your caffeine to less than 100mg or one strong coffee a day. Put your phone/laptop down at least 1 hour before you go to bed. Take 5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan. This is a precursor to melatonin and can stimulate sleepiness. Take yoga or an exercise class to reduce stress. Download a sleep tracker to assess how long you are sleeping in each sleep cycle. Don’t drink caffeine after 3 pm. Make time to relax before you go to bed. If you can, try to wake up naturally rather than stunning your sleep-wake cycle. Try to stick to a consistent bedtime and wake time. Even on the weekends. Sleep is the most essential part of your day. Make your bed your best friend and your health a priority. Catch some Zs and decrease the risk of disease. Check out our range of products to help you sleep Bedtime Bliss Sleep Support Patches References ● https://www.chemist-4-u.com/sleep-study/● https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/why-do-we-sleep/● http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-in-it-for-you/health ● http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-in-it-for-you/health
Sugar and The Sugar Tax
‘Sugar and spice and all things nice’, but is sugar really that nice? Apart from being the main food group at a child’s birthday party what other purpose does it play in our diets? In 2018 new laws were bought into play by the UK government to overhaul our diets and drastically decrease our sugar intake. What is Sugar? Sugar is a carbohydrate, otherwise known as an energy-providing macronutrient. There are numerous types of different carbohydrates, sugars are known as simple carbohydrates. The ‘simple’ in its title refers to its chemical structure. It’s short and small and made on either 1 of only a few sugar units. This means it’s simple in structure and easy to break down into fast-release energy. Examples of sugars include: Glucose Fructose Lactose Sucrose Maltose and many others What Foods are high in sugar? Sugar should only take up ~5% of the diet. This is ~100kcal, or 25-33g of sugar. This is approximately a standard can of cola (330ml). However, it’s thought that British Teenagers consume closer to 14% or 280kcal of sugar per day.Foods high in sugar: Confectionary and Chocolate Cake Biscuits Fizzy Drinks, Smoothies and Juices` Condiments or Prepackaged sauces Problems associated with sugar Sugar isn’t demonised for no reason. For a complete and nutritious diet, there is no requirement for sugar. The optimal source of carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates, wholegrain bread, rice, pasta etc. The problem with excess sugar include the following: CavitiesObesityDiabetes T2DM and Diabetes Cavities Sugar is Cariogenic, this means that it stimulates cavity formation in teeth. Reducedenamel increases plaque build-up, the bacteria within plaque use sugar as a fuel source producing acid that causes rotting and small holes to destroy the tooth structure. Recent studies have shown that 1 in 8 children have tooth decay with an ever-increasing prevalence of tooth decay in milk teeth in children as young as 3 years old. The same NHS report stated that children who ate sweets every day were twice as likely to have tooth decay. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus This is also known as environmental diabetes. This is typically brought about by a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle and excessive weight. Anyone with a BMI over 25 is at greater risk of type 2 diabetes. According to Diabetes UK Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has risen from 1.4million people in the UK in 1996 to a gigantic 3.5million living with the disorder. Moreover, this is set to rise by another 5 million by 2025 if changes are not made. This is the form of diabetes where the body stops reacting to insulin in the correct manner. This means they typically have high blood glucose. This can be treated with diet and is completely reversible! When Type 2 diabetes is not controlled or managed then it can proceed to metabolic syndrome. Obesity Obesity is caused by the carriage of excess weight stored as fat. Typically this occurs from eating too many calories or an excess of simple carbohydrates that are not burned as energy. If carbohydrates are not used for energy production they are stored to be used at a later date. Excess and unused carbohydrates are stored as fat. Typically this fat is stored around the abdomen and around the organs. This fat is called visceral or ectopic fat. This is the type of fat that is stored around the organs is particularly dangerous because fat is an active tissue capable of producing hormones. Furthermore, it can cause insulin resistance which can lead to metabolic syndrome and other diseases. Metabolic syndrome is a complete disruption of the metabolic system and balance. Symptoms of this include: Dyslipidemia- Disruption of fat and its carriers in the blood, causing high cholesterol Hyperglycaemia- High Blood Glucose Levels Insulin Resistance- Inability to respond correctly to Insulin Type 2 Diabetes- Diabetes brought about by the environment Hypertension- Clinical name for high blood pressure. Increased risk of heart disease The sugar tex and what it means for you. The sugar tax was brought in by the UK government in April of 2018. How does this change your diet? This was brought in at a corporate level in which soft drink and fizzy drink companies are expected to reduce the sugar content of all their beverages in order to improve the nation’s waistlines and health. This means increasing the cost of any drinks containing more than 5g of carbohydrates from sugar. As a result, the extra taxed money will be used to support sport and exercise in schools across the nation. At this current time, Public Health England has predicted that the sugar tax will aim to include chocolate, sweets and another confectionary within this ruling by 2020. The aim of the sugar tax is a reduction in obesity across the board, but particularly in school-aged children. Its predictions state a reduction in obesity of at least 0.5 million people. Furthermore, it hopes that it will decrease rates of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cavities in all ages. Next time you reach for that slice of cake or chocolate bar just think. Sugar isn’t ‘all things nice’, respect your body and reap the rewards. References https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/ndns-results-from-years-7-and-8-combined https://www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/high-levels-of-tooth-decay-found-in-three-year-olds http://www.actiononsugar.org/sugar-and-health/sugars-and-tooth-decay/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426415/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5708308/ https://www.gov.uk/government/news/soft-drinks-industry-levy-comes-into-effect https://www.rathbonegreenbank.com/insight/uk-sugar-tax-one-year
Menopause and your Bone Health
Women can lose up to 20% of their bone density in the 5 to 7 years after the menopause. The drop in bone density is caused by falling levels of the female hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen helps to protect bone strength. Although your bone density decreases at the menopause, your risk of osteoporosis (weak bones) and fractures (broken bones) stays relatively low until you get much older. This is because bone density is only one of the things that affects your bone strength. However, the menopause is a good time to take stock and adopt a healthier, bone-friendly lifestyle. Healthy bones after the menopause While you cannot halt bone loss entirely after the menopause, there is plenty you can do to maintain your bone strength as you get older. Stay active It's recommended that adults aged 19 to 64 do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more each week. This could include activities such as cycling or brisk walking. You should also try to avoid sitting for long periods, for example, watching TV or sitting at a computer. Weight-bearing exercises and resistance exercises are particularly important for improving bone strength and helping to prevent osteoporosis.} Weight-bearing exercises These are exercises where your legs and feet support your weight. High impact weight-bearing exercises, such as running, skipping, dancing and aerobics are all great for strengthening muscles, bones and joints. These can be part of your weekly 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity. Resistance exercises These are ones where you use your muscle strength to work against resistance. When your muscles pull on your bones it boosts your bone strength. Examples include press-ups, exercising with weights or using weight equipment at a gym. Do resistance exercises twice a week if you can. See more exercises for strong bones. Eat a healthy, balanced diet Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help keep your bones healthy after the menopause. For help with eating a balanced diet that includes all the main food groups, see the Eatwell Guide. Two nutrients that are particularly important for building strong bones are calcium and vitamin D. Calcium Good sources include green, leafy vegetables (but not spinach), nuts, seeds, dried fruit, tinned fish with the bones in, and dairy products like milk, yoghurt and cheese. Lower-fat dairy products contain just as much calcium as full-fat ones. Vitamin D Good food sources include oily fish, eggs, and fat spreads or breakfast cereals fortified with vitamin D. It's difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, so all adults are advised to consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement, particularly in the winter months (October to March). See more on eating for bone health. Get some sunlight Sunlight on your skin helps to build up your body's supply of vitamin D. Aim to spend short periods outdoors each day from late March/April to the end of September. Take care not to let your skin redden or burn. Read more on vitamin D and sunlight. Drink sensibly and do not smoke Smoking is linked to a higher risk of osteoporosis and so is drinking too much alcohol. As well as protecting your bones, quitting smoking will help to lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and other smoking-related diseases. Read more about NHS stop smoking services. Men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week. See how to keep track of your alcohol units. Will I need a drug treatment for my bones? You'll usually only need treatment to strengthen your bones at the menopause if you have a higher risk of osteoporosis or fractures. Examples of things that can affect your fracture risk include: having rheumatoid arthritis taking glucocorticoids (steroids) for more than 3 months having already broken a bone (or bones) after a minor fall or injury If you have risk factors for osteoporosis or fractures, talk to your doctor. You may need a bone check-up, known as a fracture risk assessment. This may include a bone density (DEXA or DXA) scan to help measure your bone strength (strength is about more than bone density). See the Royal Osteoporosis Society website for more information about osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and bone health HRT can help to maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. However, it's not recommended as a way to maintain bone strength for most women around the menopause. One reason is that the beneficial effects of HRT on your bones wear off when you stop taking it (usually before the age of 60). So your bones will not have protection when you're older, which is when they really need it. HRT also carries some risks, including a slightly higher risk of stroke. This means it's not suitable as a bone treatment in older women, whose risk of stroke is already higher. See more about the risks of HRT. HRT may be recommended if: you have a premature menopause (when your periods stop before the age of 40), as you have a higher risk of osteoporosis you have an early menopause (when your periods stop before the age of 45) and you also have other risk factors for osteoporosis HRT may be offered as an osteoporosis treatment to other menopausal women with a high risk of fracture. But it's usually only advised if other drug treatments for osteoporosis are not suitable and you also need treatment to relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flushes. For more information about the risks and benefits of HRT see your GP. Meno-Calm Patches Shop Now
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Feeling SAD
The winter blues are undeniable. Sometimes those grey skies and blustery days do not help with your positive ‘go-get-it’ attitude. But are your down days more than just that? Could it be a recognised disorder called SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder? The Clinical Definition SAD is a form of depression that is brought about by changes in the seasons. This causes changes in mood during the autumn and winter. Typically, people will brush it off as the winter blues, but it can be treated and your down days will be few and far between. At this current time, there is a lot of research into SAD but the direct cause is still unknown. However, there are a few areas of interesting research to suggest that a Vitamin D deficiency, poor serotonin production, and increased Melatonin could be involved. Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin. Our body contains an inactive form in our skin that only becomes active in the presence of sunlight. During a bleak UK winter, our body is unable to generate enough Vitamin D for our needs. As for the two hormones, serotonin is known as the ‘happy hormone’. Studies have shown that people diagnosed with SAD typically have lower active serotonin in the body. Therefore it cannot take effect by stimulating a positive mood in the person. Lastly, Melatonin is the sleepy neurotransmitter, excessive amounts of it can cause people to want to sleep more. Melatonin production is stimulated when light becomes dim. In winter, this means we produce melatonin earlier in the day than in the summer. This can cause us to feel sluggish, tired and unmotivated. Statistics of SAD Every 3 in 10 people have suffered from SAD in the UK. SAD can affect anyone, men, women, old or young. Studies have shown that SAD typically affects women more commonly. In fact, SAD affects women three times more than men. Those who have a history of depression in their family are more likely to experience SAD. Young adults and even teenagers are more likely to develop SAD over older adults and the elderly. Symptoms of SAD Low Mood Poor Energy LevelsChange in eating patternsAvoiding social contact Agitation Foggy brain and poor concentration Feeling lost and without hope Increased sleep and difficulty waking up. What can you do to improve the symptoms? Supplement or Increase dietary Vitamin D As mentioned previously, low levels of biological Vitamin D is thought to be associated with SAD. Supplementing Vitamin D or increasing dietary sources of Vitamin D can improve the shortcomings our body feels during the winter months. In winter there is not enough quality sunshine to convert the inactive vitamin D in our skin to the active form. Vitamin D has many benefits, studies have shown that vitamin D has an important mechanism in regulating mood. One study states the following ‘ Effective detection and treatment of inadequate vitamin D levels in persons with depression and other mental disorders may be an easy and cost-effective therapy could improve patients long-term health outcomes as well as their quality of life Other Supplementation Often you can take supplementation to improve the symptoms of your SAD. For example, taking 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). No, it’s not a tongue twister, nor is it gobbledegook. 5-HTP is a chemical component used within the body. It is converted from dietary tryptophan found in protein sources. The tryptophan undergoes a number of chemical reactions within the body which converts to 5-HTP, then onto serotonin. One potential cause of SAD is reduced serotonin. Therefore by using a dietary supplement to increase this can lead to really beneficial effects on your mood. Light Therapy Light Therapy aims to artificially restore the lack of sunshine during the winter months. This treatment must be conducted every day to see results. The light is twenty times stronger than natural light, therefore providing a really intense hit of artificial sunshine and its positive effects. Medication Medication is available to treat SAD and other forms of depression. It is really effective but shouldn’t be taken lightly. Always try alternative methods first but speak to your GP or healthcare provider about what is best suited for you and your SAD symptoms. Don’t feel glum about the winter months, there is so much to look forward. Put your feet up with a hot chocolate and light the fire. Put yourself first and don’t dread the winter blues! References ● https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael_Terman/publication/300107331_Assessment_Instruments/links/5741753608ae9f741b34e9f0/Assessment-Instruments.pdf ● https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml ● https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/seasonal-affective-disorder-(sad) ● https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908269/
Baobab Benefits
Baobab Health Benefits Baobab is a tree that grows in Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. Every part of the tree has traditionally been used as food, as medicine, or as the basis of clothing or household items. Baobab fruit is edible, and baobab seed powder is used in foods because of its nutrients, possible health benefits, and as a natural preservative. It is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, carbohydrates, and phosphorus. The fruit is found inside hard pods that hang upside down from the tree. It has a citrus flavour. Baobab is "wild-harvested." It is taken from its natural environment and dried naturally. The seeds are removed and ground into a powder that can be added to food products. This article looks at the nutritional content of baobab, the possible health benefits, how to incorporate baobab into the diet, and possible health risks. Facts on baobab The baobab tree grows in Australia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. The baobab fruit and powder are rich in vitamin C and believed to have antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Baobab powder and other products can be incorporated into smoothies and salads. More research is needed to confirm the health benefits of baobab. Health Benefits Baobab products are believed to have medicinal benefits. Traditionally, baobab leaves, bark, and seeds have been used to treat "almost any disease," including malaria, tuberculosis, fever, microbial infections, diarrhoea, anaemia, toothache, and dysentery. The leaves and fruit pulp have been used to reduce fever and stimulate the immune system. The health benefits of baobab are said to include: Improving digestive health Supporting the immune system General hydration and skin health It is reported to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antidiarrheal, antiviral, and antioxidant properties, and to be useful in treating or preventing anaemia and asthma. However, there is very little research on the consumption and effects of baobab. Gastrointestinal health A study conducted by Oxford Brookes University found that polyphenol-rich baobab fruit extract, baked in bread, reduced starch digestion and glycemic response in humans. Baobab has traditionally been used in African populations to relieve diarrhoea, constipation, and dysentery. The soluble fibres found in baobab fruit may exert prebiotic effects, promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Nutrition The pulp of the baobab fruit contains: Vitamin C Calcium Phosphorus Carbohydrates Fibre Potassium Protein Lipids The pulp can be used to add flavour to dishes and in juices. The seeds contain: Phosphorus Magnesium Zinc Sodium Iron Manganese Lysine Thiamine Calcium A teaspoon of baobab powder, weighing around 4.4 grams, contains: 10 calories 3 g of carbohydrate, of which 1 g is sugar 2 g of fibre 136.4 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C 0.352 mg of thiamin 0.227 mg of vitamin B6 10 mg of calcium According to a study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, baobab pulp is rich in vitamin C, with 40 g providing from 84 percent to more than 100 percent of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). The vitamin C level is said to be 10 times that of oranges. Baobab leaves are also rich in calcium. The seeds and kernels of baobab fruit have a high-fat content while the pulp and leaves have antioxidant properties. One promoter of baobab products claims: Baobab has 10 times the fibre of apples Six times the vitamin C of oranges Two times the antioxidants of acai berries Two times the calcium of milk Four times the potassium of bananas Five times the magnesium of avocados. Researchers have suggested that, while baobab food products contain valuable nutrients, more information is needed about their bioavailability and digestibility. If you would like to shop our best-selling baobab cleanse tablets, click the link or image below: Shop Baobab Cleanse Tablets Source: MedicalNewsToday
