If you are trying to improve your health, lose weight or just look and feel better forget all those fad diets you read about and things like juice diets, liver detoxing etc etc… There are some basic things that you can do to make a massive difference to your life. In part 1 of this article I discussed with you eating real food, removing food intolerances, fixing the gut and ramping up nutrient status. Once you have done these basic steps consider the following:

Balance hormones

Balancing your hormones is a very powerful way to lose weight and improve your health. For example controlling insulin will help you lose weight and decrease that muffin top, improving thyroid health can make your nails, hair and skin healthier and by improving oestrogen detoxification you can improve conditions such as PMS, fibroids or endometriosis.  You can establish your hormone profile through a BioSignature consultation, then you know what you need to work on.

Support energy metabolism

Mitochondria are the energy producing furnaces of the body’s cells. Fats, carbohydrates and proteins can be metabolised to produce the body’s energy molecule called ATP. Mitochondria are also the places where the most free radicals are created especially in cells such the liver and muscle cells. All life processes require ATP, thus looking after your mitochondria is essential for good health and good energy.

Boost mitochondrial health

• It is known that exercise increases mitochondrial density within muscle tissue so simply exercising can increase your energy just by increasing the number of mitochondria you have.
• Use foods high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals by using food tables that state the ORAC, phytonutrients index or Yale University’s Overall Nutritional Index – foods such as berries, prunes, broccoli and kale are usually always high on the these lists. Consider using alkalising high antioxidant drinks such as powdered greens and red drinks. Below is a list of high ORAC foods
• Take multi vitamin and mineral to provide the host of nutrients needed by the mitochondria to produce ATP and consider extra carnitine and CoQ10. Statins block the enzymes that create CoQ10 and can create mitochondropathy thus taking a CoQ10 supplement with statins is advisable.

Enhance detoxification

Now you may need to work with a skilled doctor on this one but Identifying and eliminating heavy metal toxicity, particularly mercury and lead can significantly improve your health. You could start by having your metal fillings removed and by not using spray on deodorants. Taking nutrients that up- regulates the liver’s phase 1 and phase 2 enzymes, such as DIM, choline, B12, B6 and folic acid, glycine and NAC as well as eating foods that boost the liver such as brassicas can significantly enhance detoxification.

Look for hidden infections

If you have implemented all of the proceeding steps and still your health is not where you want it, it’s time to work with a doctor to look for hidden infections. You may need a series of blood and urine tests or simply have the doctor measure your CRP – a measure of inflammation in your body. Once you know what the problem is it can be treated.