Health Blog
Health Blog
Do you feel swollen in your body? It could be related to the lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is an important part of the body's circulation, immune defense, and fluid balance. Learn more about how lymph flow works, why the body can feel swollen, and what you can do to support circulation.
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A mushroom for a stressed nervous system? This is why Reishi is so talked about
Reishi is an adaptogenic mushroom traditionally used to support stress regulation, immune function, and recovery. Read more about how Reishi can help the body relax and manage long-term stress.
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Thinner hair or increased hair loss? What it could indicate about your health
Thinning hair is often due to a combination of hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, and stress. Learn more about what can affect hair growth and how nutrients like protein, iron, vitamin D, and B vitamins can support hair from within.
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How do you know if you are in perimenopause? Common symptoms and signs
Perimenopause can start earlier than many think and affect sleep, mood, blood sugar, and energy. Read more about common symptoms and how diet, strength training, and nutrients like magnesium, chromium, and B vitamins can support the body during the transition.
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Creepy crawlies in the legs at night? When the nervous system just won’t rest
Creeping sensations in the legs in the evening can be due to an imbalance in the nervous system and are linked to nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and vitamin B6. Read more about what restless legs can be caused by and what can help the body relax before bedtime.
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Cell protection – the foundation for longevity
Cell protection is an important part of lifelong health and affects how the body produces energy, recovers, and manages stress. Read more about cell health, mitochondria, and why substances like NAD+ are gaining attention in longevity.
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Gut flora and lifespan – what does the research say?
Research shows that the gut flora plays an important role in the immune system, inflammation, and how we age. Learn more about the connection between the microbiome, lifespan, and what you can do to support a balanced gut flora.
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Probiotics and gut bacteria for a healthy stomach
Digestion is our absolutely most important function when it comes to long-term health. Taking care of your stomach is an investment for life that we all deserve. Who wants a bloated stomach, gas, stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea? We all want a functioning gut and nutrient absorption so we can get optimal energy from our food. We believe that healthy gut bacteria are among the most important supplements to choose. We see it as a foundation for everyone. Probiotics are good bacteria responsible for nutrient absorption and supporting the immune system. It is up to us to support and nourish this world of microbes through what we eat, what we expose ourselves to in our environment, and the type of lifestyle we lead. In the past, we naturally got good gut bacteria from healthy soil. But today, due to harmful farming methods, our food contains little or no probiotics at all, and most foods today also contain toxins that can harm the good bacteria in our bodies. Therefore, one of the best ways to promote gut health is to "replant" helpful bacteria through high-quality probiotic products. It is also very beneficial to eat fermented products such as sauerkraut and to avoid the three biggest factors working against our gut health: exposure to toxic substances, unhealthy diet, and stress. It is easy for the gut microbiome to become unbalanced, which can have very negative effects on digestion and our overall sense of well-being. If we do not have enough probiotics, we are more susceptible to digestive problems, skin issues, candida, autoimmune diseases, as well as frequent colds and flu. By adding more probiotic foods to your diet, you can experience the following health benefits: Stronger immune system. Better digestion. Increased well-being. More energy from more efficient production of vitamin B12. Better breath because probiotics counteract candida. Healthier skin, as probiotics improve eczema and psoriasis. Less susceptibility to colds and flu. Support for leaky gut and inflammatory bowel diseases. Weight loss. One way to support the stomach is to make your own yogurt; we choose a plant-based yogurt made from cashew nuts.
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Natural Celtic sea salt rich in minerals
When choosing salt, we believe you should choose the best: salt that provides minerals and trace elements – without additives and anti-caking agents. And we promise, we do not want to consume anti-caking agents. All the salt we sell is completely natural and free from unnecessary additives. We have received fantastic new varieties of salt from Selina Naturally, who also produce the immensely popular gray, semi-moist, coarse-grained Celtic salt. Celtic Sea Salt Gourmet Seaweed Seasoning The base of the salt consists of finely ground Celtic salt mixed with four different organic and wild-harvested sea plants/seaweeds; Dulse, Kelp, Wakame, and Kombu, as well as red shiso, garlic, onion, and lemon. Celtic Sea Salt is an unprocessed salt that is hand-harvested. It is dried in the sun and wind, which helps it retain the sea’s moisture as well as all the important minerals and trace elements naturally found in salt. The seaweed ensures the salt contains iodine. The perfect blend gives a very rich Umami flavor. What does Rahima think? This salt is wonderful both on salads, vegetables, quinoa... yes, I think it works on almost everything. I’m a real salt enthusiast and often think about not eating too much. But since I like salt, I want the best. That’s where all the salts from Selina Naturally come in. I like all their salts. This was a perfect combination in flavor, and the seaweed really adds that little extra without overpowering with a “seaweed taste.” I don’t think synthetic iodine in regular table salt is a good idea for our health, but that’s another discussion. So getting iodine from seaweed or a good supplement is a better option... Here, the seaweed provides exactly that. The right amount is released when you sprinkle the salt. Makai Pure Deep Sea Salt A salt for true salt lovers… The salt is taken from more than 600 meters below the sea surface. It is harvested from areas with deep underwater currents that move very slowly and rarely reach the surface. The seawater is transported to enclosed salt houses and allowed to dry naturally with the help of solar heat. The harvesting method is completely free from mechanical and chemical bleaching. The crystals of Makai salt are hand-harvested, inspected, and cleaned by hand, actually with tweezers, to exact standards. Slow evaporation aided by the strong sun creates ideal conditions for the characteristic, pure white Makai crystals to form. They are gently scooped into wooden molds where remaining moisture drains from the salt. The salt is then packaged by hand. The salt has a fine, delicate salty flavor that almost turns sweet. It is a gourmet salt worth trying and contains less sodium than other salts. Makai contains 0.4 grams of sodium per serving compared to 0.6 grams in table salt. What does Rahima think? Wow, it’s fantastic, it’s very salty, yet smooth in flavor and sweet. You can take a piece like candy directly in your mouth (if you like salt). I think this salt works well on everything, even on chocolate desserts, I imagine. I haven’t tried that yet. It is coarse-grained (flake salt), so if you want to grind it, a nice mortar is a good option. I like mortars; they look nice, bring out the flavor in spices, and you feel so professional in the kitchen when you crush spices…=)
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Manuka Honey: Nature's Powerful Beauty Product
Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand and is made from nectar from the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), which has beautiful white or pink flowers. To produce Manuka honey, beekeepers move their bees to areas where Manuka is the predominant vegetation type when the tree starts to bloom, usually from spring to early summer depending on the region in New Zealand. Manuka honey has gained international recognition for its unique properties because it has high antibacterial activity. Plus, it tastes so good! It can be eaten as is spread throughout the day, in tea, or as an exclusive topping. Honey is an excellent sweetener that also contributes to health. What can Manuka honey contribute? Amino acids, B vitamins (B6, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid), calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Generally beneficial for colds and soothes sore throats. Provides energy. Supports digestion and relieves mild digestive discomfort. Prevents plaque and gum inflammation. Helps with problematic skin, acne, and acne scars during facial treatments. DIY Facial Masks with Manuka Honey 1 tsp Manuka honey (all skin types). 1 tsp Manuka honey, 1 tsp rose water (all skin types). 1 tsp Manuka honey, 1 tsp lavender water, and 1/2 tsp spirulina powder (all skin types). 1 tsp Manuka honey, 1 tsp tea tree water, 1/2 tsp matcha powder (oily skin). 1 tsp Manuka honey, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder (all except sensitive skin). 1 tsp Manuka honey, 1 tsp rose water, 1/2 tsp turmeric (all skin types but especially mature skin). Why is Manuka honey expensive? Manuka honey is unique to New Zealand. It is harder to extract and has a limited harvest period because it is only collected at certain times of the year. However, the unique properties of the honey are understood by consumers worldwide, creating continued high demand despite the high price. What is UMF? The UMF logo is recognized worldwide as a standard that identifies and measures the strength of the unique antibacterial activity in Manuka honey. UMF® stands for “Unique Manuka Factor.” The UMF mark is followed by a number indicating the strength of the UMF activity. The higher the UMF, the more potent the product. To be potent enough for medicinal use, it should have a UMF rating of at least 5+. UMF® is a registered name and trademark of AMHA (Active Manuka Honey Association) and can only be used by licensed users who meet established criteria, including monitoring honey quality. They must have the UMF name clearly indicated on the front label. The honey must be packaged and labeled in New Zealand. The honey must come from a New Zealand company licensed to use the UMF name.
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Ketogenic diet - natural fat burning for better health
Ketogenic diet is a dietary approach aimed at shifting the body’s cells to burn fat as the primary energy source instead of carbohydrates. To achieve this, you need to eat a lot of fat, few carbohydrates, and a moderate amount of protein. It is perfectly possible to follow such a diet as both a vegan and a vegetarian, which we think is great. Many who have tried this report weight loss, improved mental clarity, freedom from sugar cravings, calmer digestion, softer skin, stabilized blood pressure, and better endurance during exercise. If you have high blood pressure, you should talk to your doctor first. Article from Dr. Perlmutter on the keto diet: Being on the ketogenic diet or “keto” is quite popular today and for good reason. Choosing dietary fat to fuel the body’s cells, as opposed to using sugar or carbohydrates, seems to have powerful health effects. We know that when fat is used as fuel, instead of sugar or carbohydrates, there appears to be much less production of harmful free radicals. Additionally, it seems that a more ketogenic diet is actually associated with less inflammation, the cornerstone of some of our most challenging conditions. When the body is adapted to a fat-burning program, in other words, “keto-adapted,” it means the body can mobilize fat and create molecules to fuel the body’s cells, called ketone bodies, the most important of which is beta-hydroxybutyrate. New research recognizes the importance of beta-hydroxybutyrate as much more than just an efficient cellular fuel. It turns out that beta-hydroxybutyrate is actually a powerful modulator of gene expression. Beta-hydroxybutyrate changes the expression of our DNA, further reducing inflammation and improving the way we eliminate harmful free radical chemicals by increasing our production of antioxidants. Eating 100% keto can be challenging for many. But at least moving in this direction and deciding to reduce your consumption of sugar and carbohydrates also yields very good health results. One thing to remember, however, is that while it is indeed a good idea to reduce carbohydrates, you need a sufficient amount of prebiotic fiber in your diet, even though prebiotic fiber is considered a carbohydrate. By definition, your body will not use carbohydrates as a fuel source, but you will absolutely take care of your gut bacteria. When you make sure to add adequate amounts of prebiotic fiber, it is much less challenging to stay on the keto diet. Article from Dr. Perlmutter on ketosis & caffeine: When you wake up in the morning after 12 hours of fasting, your body is in a state we call mild ketosis. This means your body has shifted away from burning glucose as the sole fuel source and is now tapping into your body fat reserves. When a person is in ketosis, it is actually a very healthy state in terms of brain function. For now, I want to focus on a common question about the effects of coffee consumption, or more specifically, caffeine intake, on either enhanced ketosis or not. In a new study titled "Caffeine Increases Plasma Ketones: An Acute Metabolic Study in Humans," Canadian researchers evaluated the effects of caffeine intake in a group of 10 healthy volunteers. After fasting for 12 hours and then breakfast, these individuals were given either 1. no caffeine 2. about one cup of coffee or 3. 3 cups of coffee. Blood samples were then taken to evaluate not only caffeine levels over a four-hour period but also the levels of ketones produced in the liver from the release of body fat. What the researchers found was really very interesting. Higher doses of caffeine in the 10 adults dramatically increased beta-hydroxybutyrate, one of the most studied ketones in terms of fueling the brain. The researchers found that the increase in blood ketones caused by caffeine intake was twice as high as what was observed after an overnight fast. It is important to know that this study is based on caffeine intake in its purest form.
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Vitamin D: Important for health during autumn and winter
Vitamin D is a hormone-like vitamin that is very important for overall good health and strong, healthy bones. Vitamin D improves the absorption, transport, and use of calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for bone and tooth formation. It is also a factor in ensuring your muscles, heart, and lungs function optimally. Why do we need vitamin D? Vitamin D plays an important role in the body's cell division process and contributes to the normal function of the immune system. It simply helps cells throughout the body communicate properly. People with an adequate level of vitamin D are usually much better equipped to fight colds and other illnesses. How do we get vitamin D? Vitamin D is mainly found in fatty fish, wild mushrooms, and egg yolk. However, it is difficult to get enough through diet alone. If you are vegetarian or vegan, it is especially challenging. Otherwise, vitamin D mainly comes from your skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Your body then goes through a number of chemical processes to convert it so that your body can use it in the best way. However, the amount of vitamin D you get from sunshine depends on: The time of day – your skin produces more if exposed during midday. Where you live – the closer to the equator you live, the easier it is for you to produce vitamin D from sunlight year-round. In the Nordic countries, we can only absorb vitamin D from the sun during the summer months. The color of your skin – lighter skin produces vitamin D faster than darker skin. For example, if you have very light skin, it may take about 15 minutes to produce enough vitamin D, but if you have dark skin, it can take up to 2 hours. The amount of skin you expose – the more skin you show to the sun, the more vitamin D your body produces. Because the sun’s rays are weaker and the days shorter during autumn and winter in Sweden – and because we spend less time outdoors and wear more clothes – we basically produce no vitamin D from the sun between October and April. Therefore, a vitamin D supplement can be very valuable during this period. Low levels of vitamin D can affect energy, mood, depression, immune defense, and more. One way to find out your exact need is to measure vitamin D in the blood either through a therapist, at a health center, or privately at places like Werlabs or Blodkollen. Vitamin D supplements Vitamin D comes in two forms: D2 and D3. Both have been shown to be effective in clinical studies for raising vitamin D levels in the blood, but vitamin D3 is preferred because it is much better utilized by the body and is the form that comes from natural sources: the sun and our food. Vitamin D3 can be extracted in different ways, and today there are mainly two natural sources used in supplements: sheep’s wool or lichen. Both are effective and good sources of active vitamin D3, and which one you choose is entirely up to you. The one from lichen is 100% plant-based, which can be an advantage for many. A vitamin that can be good to combine with D3 is vitamin K, which is also fat-soluble and works in synergy with vitamin D to build strong bones, as well as being important for blood clotting ability. How much vitamin D do we need? The best way to find out exactly how much vitamin D you need is to take a supplement for a couple of months and then have a blood test. The absorption of vitamin D supplements is individual and influenced by several factors. Therefore, it is impossible to give a recommendation that applies to everyone. The test is called 25-OH-D and can be ordered through a health center or private laboratory. For most people, the optimal target is a blood level of 50-80 ng/ml or 125-200 nmol/L (there are two different ways to express vitamin D measurements. In Sweden, ng/ml is most common). That said, we recommend these doses as a starting point during the winter months in the Nordic region: Adults: 1000-2500 IU daily (or 5000 IU every other day).Children under 12 years: 500 – 1000 IU daily. See our range of vitamin D supplements here!
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