In Hong Kong, digestive problems have become increasingly common in the population. One million people suffer from constipation every year, half a million from IBS symptoms, and it is reported that 12,2% of the population suffers from gastric reflux. Alternative medicines have been developed to help support allopathic treatment for patients with these complex conditions. Gut-directed Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that aims to improve digestive disorders by harnessing

We perceive our reality through filters. Take the example of specific colours that are difficult to define. A turquoise may appear green to me and blue to you. The colour is the same; we perceive it the same (unless we are colour-blind), it is the same colour, but we define it differently. Despite everything, we can enter into an endless discussion to know if it is green, blue, or other. So who is right, and who is wrong? No one. We have a different frame of reference. We cre

Our immune system is our first line of defence when we are exposed to a virus, like Covid-19. A healthy immune system depends on many factors, like nutrients and vitamins and our general health. A healthy intestinal flora is essential to our immune system, and the interaction between the two often defines the body's responses to infection. A strong immune system is essential What is the immune system? The immune system includes cells, molecules, antibodies, and physical barr

Trillions of bacteria live in our digestive system. This microbiome is composed of 1000 different types of bacteria. It is defined during delivery and the first three years of life. Every human being has its own specific microbiome, like fingerprints. (1,2) These bacteria living in our digestive system constantly interact with all our organs. When our guts are imbalanced, it impacts our bodies in various ways. As this microbiome is linked to many of our body systems, it influ

We are exposed to a lot of stress from our environment, like toxins, pollution or loud noises, and we are creating our own stress reacting to these stimuli. Stress leads to irritability , feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated, memory loss and lack of concentration. It can go even to sleeping troubles leading to poor decision making, which brings even more stress. Eventually, this chronic stress increases the risk of more serious diseases like heart failure or cancer. Which Nut

Where do Acai berries come from? Acai berries are a kind of berry from a palm tree in the southern American rainforest. Acai palm trees have been cultivated more and more during the 21st century to answer the increasing demand for Acai berries, and all tree's parts can be used. The heart of the palm tree is a vegetable; leaves are used for mattresses, hats and brooms; the wood is insect resistant and often used in buildings construction. Acai berries are small, round fruit wi

In recent years, many scientific discoveries have shown the importance of our intestinal flora and its impact on our health. The gut has been called the second brain, as it has many interactions with our different organs and is essential to our health. What is intestinal flora? Bacteria are living microorganisms found everywhere in nature. We know well the pathogenic bacteria, which are the ones leading to infections. We know less about those we call "commensal" that inhabit

During the holidays it can be tricky to eat a healthy and balanced diet. There are a lot of temptations, and sometimes we eat more for the conviviality more than for the hunger. Here are some tips to get you through this period lightly, while enjoying reuniting you’re your friends and family. Drink at least 2 litres of water: It is easy to think about drinking enough water when we are in our usual routine. When we are traveling, we forget about it, and we sometimes consume dr

What is Matcha? Matcha is a type of green tea that is made from young tea leaves. These leaves are ground together to create a powder. This powder is then whisked with hot water. It is a different preparation to green tea, where the leaves are simply soaked in water and taken off. In a regular green tea you are getting the soluble nutrients and compounds, but you are missing a big part of them, the insoluble ones. Matcha contains all of them, and offers us all the benefits of

Menopause marks a natural transition for women when their menstrual cycles stop. For many, the time is associated with uncomfortable symptoms. (1) The decline of oestrogen, one of the female sex hormones, can lead to weight gain, sleeping disorders, hot flushes and other troublesome side effects, as well as various metabolism changes and a decrease in bone density. Hormone replacement therapy can help to reduce symptoms, but there are some downsides. Your healthcare provider

We talk a lot about balance diet, with these numbers : Carbohydrates : 40 to 60%/ Proteins : 15 to 35% and Fat : 25 to 35 %. But how to translate it in our plate? When we give these percentages, we talk about energy and not food proportions. Add to the confusion, most food contains two or even the three macronutrients. For example, meat contains proteins and fat, beans contains proteins and carbohydrates, peanuts contains the three fat, proteins and carbohydrates. While a nut

Yeast gut infection is very common and often goes unknown as the symptoms are not typical of an infection. Yeast gut infection will often translate by non-specific digestive symptoms like bloating, discomfort, constipation or diarrhea. It can lead to leaky guts, but also have other symptoms like mood swings or brain fog. It is often associated with recurring genital infections, especially among women, but also mouth infections. A frequent scenario is a woman who present recur

Because organic products are more expensive than standard items, buying “all organic” may not be possible for everyone. The question, therefore, if your budget won’t stretch that far, is which ones should you prioritise? The first thing to understand is that not all plants grow the same way. Some fruits and vegetables grow easily and don’t absorb chemicals the way others do. This makes them “safe” whether they’re organic or not. Known as the “clean 15”, the list comprises avo

One of the main benefits of organic produce is that organic farmers choose not to use chemicals, medications or hormones that could have a negative impact on the long-term health of consumers. The main downside of this is that that it limits the farm’s production capacity. Other issues include the fact that organic fruits and vegetables often don’t look as perfect or last as long as their non-organic counterparts. They are, however, as close to their natural state as possible

In the last century, the global population has skyrocketed, leaping from just under 2 billion people in 1920 to nearly 7.8 billion today. Demand for food has never been higher. We need more, we want more, and we like supplies to be plentiful. As a result, agriculture and farming methods have become increasingly industrialised over the years. The process of growing fruits and vegetables is now more technical than ever before, with chemicals and genetic modifications among the

Goji berries What? Dried, orangey-red, edible berries that look like raisins. Why? They protect the liver, improve circulation, boost immune function and promote longevity. They can also combat malaria and alleviate fatigue, fever and hypertension. These berries have 18 amino acids, including 3 “essential” ones, and are rich in vitamins E and B. They’re also rich in carotenoids, such as beta carotenes and zeaxanthin (which protects the retina) Some studies have even shown t

Whether you’re looking to lose weight or simply want to boost your energy levels, these 12 easy-to-follow rules will help you achieve your goals and develop long-term, healthy eating habits. Enjoy! 1. Drink water The human body needs water to function. Whether metabolising food, fighting infection, rebuilding cells or transforming fat into energy (and we love it when that happens ...), every single chemical reaction in our bodies requires water. To stay hydrated, start each

Entre quarantaine, auto-isolement, télé travail ou école à la maison, partout dans le monde nous passons de plus en plus de temps chez nous. Dans un monde habitué à bouger, ce confinement peut s'avérer plus ou moins difficile à supporter. Il peut être important de garder une bonne hygiène de vie pour éviter la perte d'énergie et les atteintes au moral. Voilà quelques conseils pour garder sa vitalité.  Gardez un rythme. Garder un rythme dans la journée et respecter ses heures

With the coronavirus spreading in the world, we all learn how important it is to protect ourselves against infections. Healthy habits and behaviours are essential to avoid being contaminated, but also to strengthen our body in case we get in contact with the virus, despite the precaution we take. Our immune system is our main barrier against infection and reinforcing it when we are healthy helps bring a better response in case we are in contact with a virus. Some supplements

Everyone knows what a virus is, but it's not always clear how to treat a viral infection. Antibiotics have no effect on these infections, and the drugs that can be used are limited. And it is mainly thanks to our immune system that we can recover and heal from a viral infection. For a strong immune system, a healthy and balanced diet is essential, and certain herbs and plants are of great help in fighting infections, thanks to their medicinal properties. 1. Oregano Oregano i