How to tackle common concerns to feel your best

Even with the most balanced of diets and the most active of lifestyles, we may need a little help to feel our best. Lucy Browne, nutritional therapist and advisor in our Queen’s Park store, explains how best to support some of the common concerns we face every day, from trouble sleeping to bloating.

 

What is optimal health? 

Optimal health is loosely defined as a state of balance felt by the whole body and mind. At Planet Organic, we appreciate that optimal health is a dynamic experience, meaning that every decision we make will either guide us towards or away from achieving an optimal balance of body and mind. As a company collective, our mission is to help the community make informed decisions towards optimal health during every shopping experience. 

 

How do I achieve optimal health?

The first step towards optimal health starts with making the right dietary decisions which is why we consistently review our extensive range to ensure that we only offer the best organic, natural and sustainable food products that you can trust. The second step includes making the right lifestyle decisions to solidify healthier habits long-term. The final step is deciding which supplements your body and mind needs to maintain optimal balance.

 

How do I make informed dietary, lifestyle and supplement decisions?

In every Planet Organic store, we have a team of health experts that can help you make informed dietary, lifestyle and supplement decisions. Like you, our advisors take a food first approach to health, but through experience, they have come to appreciate how common nutritional deficiencies and insufficiencies are, despite following a healthy diet. Furthermore, our in-store health experts can identify and address other root causes which prevent people from reaching optimal health.

 

Why should I consider lifestyle products and supplements? 

Despite making the right dietary decisions, most people will still experience common health complaints such as bloating, poor sleep, low energy, poor concentration, anxiety, low mood and problematic skin. Our in-store health experts can recommend personalised lifestyle products and supplements based on your presenting symptoms. 

 

Why am I still experiencing poor health, despite following a healthy diet?

Experiencing poor health, despite following a healthy diet, is not uncommon; this may be due to persistent nutritional deficiencies and insufficiencies because of a restrictive diet, poor appetite, poor nutrient absorption, long-term medications, or a highly active lifestyle. Other causes that predispose people to suboptimal health include food intolerances, inflammation, infections, gut issues, stress and environmental toxicity. Remember, a healthy diet is only one piece of the wellness puzzle. Although it is an excellent place to start, most of us will need additional lifestyle and supplement support if we desire an optimal balance of body and mind. 

 

What are the most common nutrient deficiencies and insufficiencies, despite following a healthy diet?

Despite following a healthy diet, some of the most common nutrient deficiencies and insufficiencies include; vitamin D, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, iron, and iodine. This is especially true for early childhood, pregnant women, the elderly and anyone following a restrictive diet, such as vegetarians and vegans. 

 

What lifestyle products and supplements should I take?

Below outlines natural lifestyle and supplement remedies based on common health complaints despite following a healthy diet. 

 

What are the root causes of bloating?

Certain foods can cause bloating, such as dairy, gluten, wheat, cruciferous vegetables, legumes, garlic, onions, apples, pears, sweeteners (xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol) and carbonated drinks.

The gut is connected to the brain via a communication network called the gut-brain axis, so eating while anxious or stressed can impede digestion, causing bloating. 

 

How do I prevent bloating?

Limit or avoid foods known to cause bloating.

Try Tisserand - The Little Box of De-stress, aromatherapy pulse point rollerballs to help you ease into rest and digest mode.

 

Tisserand The Little Box of De-stress 3 x 10ml

 

 

Take Cura Sporebiotics Daily to strengthen the gut-brain axis, reducing stress, anxiety and bloating.

 

What are the root causes of poor sleep?

Poor sleep can be caused by dietary and lifestyle stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.

Cortisol (stress hormone) and melatonin (sleep hormone) control our circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle). Cortisol wakes us up in the morning, and melatonin puts us to sleep at night. However, stress causes high cortisol at night, which blocks melatonin production, causing poor sleep. 

 

How do I prevent poor sleep?

Limit or avoid dietary and lifestyle stimulants.

Try Evolve - Tranquility Essence Pillow Mist for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Evolve Beauty Tranquility Essence Pillow Mist 50ml

 

Take Pukka - Night Time complex to balance your sleep-wake cycle.

Pukka Night Time 30 caps

 

What are the root causes of low energy?

Low energy can be caused by nutritional deficiencies or insufficiencies in protein, fats, antioxidants (specifically, alpha-lipoic acid and Co-Q10), magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E, B vitamins, iron and selenium.

 

How do I prevent low energy?

Include protein and healthy fats in every meal and increase your fruit and vegetable intake—for example, fatty fish, avocados, leafy greens and berries.

Try Neom - Feel Refreshed Reed Diffuser to keep you energised throughout the day.

Neom Feel Refreshed Reed Diffuser 100ml

 

Take Nature’s Plus - Liquid Multivitamin packed with energising proteins, fats and antioxidants.

 

Nature's Plus Source of Life Gold Liquid 30oz

What are the root causes of poor concentration?

A lack of concentration can be caused by a combination of high stress, poor sleep and excessive distractions such as too much technology.

 

How do I prevent poor concentration?

Address any underlying stress and sleep issues and limit unnecessary use of technology.

Rub 2-3 drops of You & Oil - Concentration Essential Oil Mixture into your inner wrists or solar plexus.

 

You & Oil Ki Concentration Essential Oil Mixture 5 ml

Take Motion Nutrition - Power Up complex to boost your brain and body and reduce stress.

 

Motion Nutrition Power Up - Ultimate Brain Fuel 60 caps

  

What are the root causes of anxiety?

Anxiety is associated with low GABA, a zen brain chemical that keeps us cool, calm and collected.

Certain foods can trigger anxiety, such as caffeine, sugar, refined carbohydrates, salt and artificial food additives (MSG, aspartame).

 

How do I prevent anxiety?

Limit or avoid foods known to trigger anxiety.

Rub 3-4 drops of You & Oil - Anxiety Essential Oil Mixture into feet or solar plexus.

You & Oil Ki Anxiety Essential Oil Mixture 5 ml

Take Pure Encapsulations - L-Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea that boosts GABA in the brain, making you feel zen.  

Pure Encapsulations l-Theanine 60

What are the root causes of low mood? 

 

Low mood is associated with low serotonin, a happy brain chemical that keeps us cheerful and energised.

Inflammatory foods such as refined carbohydrates, sugar, processed and fried foods have been linked to low mood.

 

How do I prevent low mood?

Eat a Mediterranean style diet rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, healthy fats and proteins.

Try Save The Day - SAD Daylight Lamp, especially if you suffer from low mood during the wintery months.

Save The Day SAD Daylight Lamp

Take Brain Feed - 5-HTP, extracted from Griffonia seed that boosts serotonin in the brain, making you feel happy.  

Brain Feed Serotoin Enhancement 120 caps

 

 

What are the root causes of problematic skin? 

Gut inflammation can cause skin inflammation and other skin conditions, including acne.

 

How do I prevent problematic skin?

Address any underlying gut issues.

Try Flexi Skin - The Cleanser, an electronic cleansing tool designed to reach deeper into the pores, removing impurities such as dirt, oil and makeup. It also boosts blood circulation and restores skin firmness and elasticity.

Flexi Skin The Cleanser 322g

Take The Beauty Chef - Glow Inner Beauty Powder for optimal skin and gut health.

 

The Beauty Chef Glow Inner Beauty Powder (Supercharged Formula) 150g

What if I still have questions?

No problem, head down to your nearest Planet Organic store and ask to speak to one of our Health and Body Care Advisors, who will be delighted to support you every step of the way.

 

Can I find similar support online?

Yes, you can contact our customer service team online at talktous@planetorganic.com, who will redirect any technical questions to relevant health experts.