Cytoplan Blog

Bridging the nutrition gap with a multivitamin and mineral

Investigations carried out by Dr Paul Clayton identified the difference between the nutrients that the average population obtains from food and the levels required for optimum health. We refer to this difference as “the nutrition gap.” The nutrition gap can have a detrimental effect on health and susceptibility to disease and can increase the risk of many conditions as well as accelerating chronic disease and ageing.1

Let the breath be your guide

The art of breathing is both innately simple and infinitely complex. Breathing is a critical function that both sparks and ends life. Yet there is so much more to the breath.  Tune into the breath of someone having a carefree day and the breath is likely to be flowing freely. Tune into the breath of someone having a day of it, or in the grips of an intense emotion such as anger, and the breath is likely to be uneasy.

Give your gut a gift this Christmas

Christmas is a time for celebration, and particularly in western society, celebrating involves indulging in rich foods, alcohol, and sugar. This is a natural response and stems back to times when we had to binge before the long winter months to store energy. However, these festive treats can put a strain on the digestive system, and so this festive season is a good time to give your gut a little TLC.

The charitable activity of Cytoplan & The AIM Foundation in 2020

We have continued to support charities locally and nationwide this year, thanks to our loyal customers. Despite the testing times this year has presented to us all, we feel incredibly lucky to have been able to continue with both our business and charity donations.

Protein powders – a useful supplement to everyday diets

There are many different types, shapes and sizes of protein powders. They can be a useful supplement to a balanced diet by providing lean protein with a full spectrum of amino acids. But there can sometimes be some confusion as to why proteins are useful, what to look for in a protein supplement and who would benefit from a protein supplement. This blog reviews the functions of protein and why, how and when protein supplements are recommended.

Probiotics for the first 1,000 days

The more we uncover about the ecosystem of bacteria residing in us, the more it becomes evident that nurturing and supporting the good bacteria in our gut can have positive effects on our health and development. Addressing the health and diversity of the microbiome is now recognised as crucial to our development from as early as preconception.

The perils of perfection

Bev Alderson, through her business Practically Balanced, works with individuals, groups and workplaces, wanting to take a more positive and proactive approach to enhancing wellbeing and in turn achieving greater results. Bev brings a unique and authentic perspective to the work she does, drawing upon her personal experiences, management capabilities and expertise in mindfulness, stress resilience, yoga, nutrition – and more.

Long COVID – what is it and what can we do about it? (part one)

Now that we are a few months into the current pandemic, there is increasing awareness of the condition known as “long covid”. This is characterised by a long recovery period or inability to recover from a primary COVID-19 infection. The phenomenon so far has no medical definition or list of symptoms shared by all patients and two people with “long covid” can have very different experiences.

Black Seed Oil: uses and benefits

Black seed oil is derived from the small, black seeds of the Nigella sativa, a flowering plant with purple, white or blue flowers, that is native to Southern Europe, Southwest Asia, and North Africa. Nigella sativa belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and can grow up to 30 cm tall. It produces a fruit with seeds that are used as a spice in many cuisines and is cultivated in many countries of the world. Its black seeds are therefore known by many names including, black cumin (Egypt), black caraway (Turkey), Kalonji (India/Pakistan), roman coriander, and many more.

Anxiety and depression: The hidden link

Anxiety and depression are common conditions in modern times. With events such as the current Covid-19 crisis exacerbating stress, anxiety and depression in many people due to the worry, uncertainty, isolation and social distancing. Therefore, it is a crucial time to focus on mental health and support cognitive wellness.

The stability of the gut microbiome part 2: Western vs Mediterranean diets and your gut microbiota

Different dietary patterns are associated with different microbiota composition profiles. Microbiota composition analyses of Western diets tend to report narrower bacterial diversity along with altered microbial profiles when compared to Mediterranean diets1. It is worth remembering that Western diets aren’t just “high in fat” or “carbohydrate-rich”, as they are often described.

Back to school: children’s health

The beginning of a new school year is here and whilst for many it is a welcomed chance to return to some sort of normality and routine as the children head back to school, it often goes hand-in-hand with back-to-school germs, which in these times may be of particular worry to parents. In contrast to the summer months, which sees most children spending time outdoors, children tend to spend more time inside as the weather gets colder.

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