Weight – Trish Tucker May

The Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Written by trish on October 19, 2022. Posted in anti-inflammatory, Blog, inflammation, Joint pain, Mood, Sleep problems, Tips, Weight.

Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting you from harmful stimuli or potential injury. Inflammation can appear in many forms, including pain, heat, swelling, redness, and a slowing down or complete halt of an organ’s function.

Inflammation also shows up as

💪 Weight gain

💪 Joint pain

💪 Insomnia

💪 Heart Burn

💪 Reflux

💪 Irritability

💪 Tiredness

Inflammation may be either acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is the initial protective response of your body tissues and is most likely to be transient. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is prolonged and can become severe.

Inflammation may be caused due to an imbalance of the healthy bacteria in your body. It can also happen as a result of food allergies, toxic environment, stress, and bad diet.

Your diet plays a huge role in decreasing or increasing inflammation in your body. If you consume sugary foods, processed foods, or if you are regularly dehydrated, your body is more prone to inflammation while trying to heal itself.

Foods to avoid if you struggle with inflammation:

↓ Alcohol

↓ Refined sugar

↓ processed wheat

↓ Too much dairy

Here are some foods that may help reduce the chances of inflammation or relieve any existing symptoms.

1.Oats:

You can use oats by making a bowl of oatmeal or a jar of overnight oats and top with fruit. Oats help your body fight inflammation and may help reduce any current inflammation that your body is dealing with.

2.Blueberries:

Blueberries can significantly reduce inflammation if consumed on a daily basis. Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, polyphenol, resveratrol and Vitamin C, all of which are well known for reducing inflammation. Blueberries consist of anti-oxidants which can easily turn off and block all forms of body inflammations.

3.Ginger:

Ginger is used in a variety of organic medicines because of its anti-disease, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can add it as a spice in your foods, drink ginger juice, or blend it with honey and drink as a health shot. The most pleasant way to consume ginger, however, is a daily cup of hot ginger tea.

4. Dark Chocolate:

Dark chocolate is one of the healthier varieties of chocolate. You can add some to your oats or combine it with fresh fruit to help reduce inflammation.

5. Turmeric:

Turmeric is also widely used in organic and all natural medicines. You can add to food as a spice or stir in a pinch to your milk or smoothie. Turmeric helps slow the production of the two most inflammatory enzymes, 5-LOX and COX-2.

There are a variety of foods you can add to your diet to help reduce or avoid inflammation. These are a few of the easiest and most accessible. If you are experiencing severe, chronic inflammation, however, be sure to get in touch. I have an 8-week programme designed to reduce inflammation, heal your gut and balance your hormones. Click here to find out more.

How to Eat For a Healthy Thyroid

Written by trish on January 11, 2022. Posted in Blog, Cold extremities, Energy, Fatigue, Hair loss, Health, Hormones, Mood, Tips, Weight, Women's Health.

The health of your thyroid depends heavily on what you eat and put in your body. Your thyroid plays a big role in the following daily functions

Your metabolism and your weight.
Your hair growth.
Your energy levels.
Controlling other hormones like insulin, cortisol and your sex hormones
Your mood.
Your ability to concentrate and remain focused.
Your body temperature.
Your heart rate.
Your menstrual cycle.

To keep your thyroid happy and healthy, your body needs appropriate amounts of iodine, zinc and selenium. To ensure the health of your thyroid, try incorporating the following foods in your diet for better iodine, zinc and selenium levels.

Yogurt: Yogurt is an excellent source of iodine. Plain and Greek yogurts are your best options.
Berries: Berries like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are packed with iodine, selenium, and vitamin D. These berries also contain a variety of other nutrients and are very high in antioxidants, which are critical for the health of your thyroid. Goji berries and cranberries contain the highest number of antioxidants. You can eat these berries raw, or you can use them in smoothies or in an acai bowl. You can use them to top yogurt or oatmeal.
Fish: Fish is another great source of iodine. Lack of nutrients is one of the primary reasons why thyroid health deters, and fish contain all the necessary nutrients to maintain the health of your thyroid. One 3-ounce serving of cod contains around 99 milligrams of iodine. If you do not like fish then you can opt for cod liver oil supplements.
Chicken: Zinc is also necessary for thyroid health, and chicken is a perfect solution to fill that need. Three ounces of chicken contains 2.4 milligrams of zinc.
Beef: Organic grass-fed beef is also high in zinc. A 3-ounce serving of roasted beef provides seven milligrams of zinc and a 3-ounce beef patty contains three milligrams of zinc. Make sure you choose very lean, organic beef.
Brazil Nuts: Brazil nuts are incredible little powerhouses for selenium. Daily consumption of moderate serving amounts can help produce glutathione, which helps fight against and decrease thyroid antibodies.
Eggs: Eggs are another simple, one-stop shop for your thyroid health. A large egg consists of 20% of selenium and 16% of iodine. Eggs are extremely versatile and easy to prepare. Hard boil or scramble them, but make sure you include the yolk; that is the part the provides the most selenium.
Nuts: To protect and maintain the health of your thyroid, try adding a variety of nuts to your diet. Hazelnuts and macadamia nuts provided the highest amount of selenium. You can eat them raw, snack on them, or add them to salads, yogurt, oatmeal, or other meals.

If you would like to learn more about thyroid and blood panel tests book a call here https://p.bttr.to/2MZVUKN

I can arrange private tests with a nurse visit for the blood draw. This is especially beneficial at the moment with such long wait times at the NHS, plus private tests are far more thorough.

Yours in health and wellness,

Trish

How to Know if Your Blood Sugar is Stable?

Written by trish on December 15, 2021. Posted in Blood Sugar, Brain Fog, Fatigue, inflammation, Skin problems, Sleep, Weight.

What are the tell-tale signs that you need to work on your blood sugar?

Do you have trouble falling asleep and drag yourself out of bed in the morning?

are you gaining weight and you don’t know why?

do you feel drained and tired all the time?

do you crave ice cream or salty crisps in the middle of the day, late at night or immediately after your evening meal?

Do you find your sunglasses in the freezer and your car keys in the bathroom?

If you answer yes, it could be because of your blood sugar balance.

Maintaining your blood sugar is important for your overall health. A stable blood sugar level helps you maintain a healthy weight, reduces your risk of diabetes, regulates your glucose levels, and can help increase your physical activity.

Here are some noticeable signs that your blood sugar needs attention.

You suffer from any sort of inflammation.

Your blood sugar often spikes in response to the excess release of cortisol by your body and excess cortisol can cause inflammation. Excess sugar equals inflammation. If you suffer from any kind of body inflammation, your blood sugar needs attention.

Your skin is troubled.

Acne, rashes, eczema are all forms of inflammation. When your body suffers from an injury or illness, it tries to protect itself; the same is true when your diet is not healthy. If you consume a lot of sugar, your body will react in the form of inflammation. Acne and rashes are an inflammatory response to poor microbiome health, which is often a result of unstable blood sugar.

You feel sluggish and tired all the time

Excess sugar releases cortisol in your body that can lead to increased fatigue. When your blood sugar is not stable, you may feel lazy and sluggish. If you are enjoying stable levels of energy and are not easily tired by physical activity, you have a healthy blood sugar level.

You crave sugar all the time.

Insatiable sugar cravings are a sign of an unstable blood sugar level. Occasional cravings are normal; everyone feels like scarfing up a whole tub of ice cream at some point or another. But, if satisfying that initial craving keeps you consuming sugar, there is a good chance your blood sugar is not stable.

You can’t lose weight no matter what you do.

When your blood sugar level is stable, it is a lot easier to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. An unstable blood sugar level makes it impossible.

You need to urinate frequently.

A well-functioning bladder is a sign that your blood sugar level is normal. People with unstable blood sugar levels often suffer from a weak bladder and may feel the need to urinate more frequently than normal.

You can’t quench your thirst.

People with stable blood sugar levels can easily quench their thirst after drinking water. Many people who have unstable blood sugar levels feel thirsty all the time and are not able to quench their thirst even after drinking water.

You experience brain fog.

Another symptom of unstable blood sugar is brain fog, when your brain suddenly becomes fatigued, and it becomes hard for you to focus or concentrate. Healthy blood sugar levels can help promote sharp and extended periods of focus.

How to balance your blood sugar?

Eat three meals per day and make sure you have fat and protein at each meal.
Avoid snacking between meals. Allow at least 4 hours between your meals.
Drink plenty of water. At least 2 litres to help hydrate your blood.
Restrict your time eating window to 12 – 14 hours. There will be a sweet spot so try various times and see what works for you. Don’t eat late at night.

If you are unsure and worried about these symptoms and are not getting the support you need from your doctor, book a call with me. I can test your blood sugar, thyroid and hormones.

Get the support you need.

My next 8-week Time to Nourish program starts on the 18^th January. It is £750 and there is an early bird price of £625 so to book now email trish@trishtuckermay.com or book a call

6 ways to know if your hormones are out of whack

Written by trish on November 30, 2021. Posted in Blog, Eat Clean, Fatigue, Hormones, Mood, Sleep, Tips, Uncategorized, Weight, Women's Health.

If you regularly feel like something is just not right with your body, that you are just not yourself, you may be suffering from a hormone imbalance. Here are a few signs and symptoms to help you determine if your hormones may be out of whack:

You feel tired all the time.

Consistent fatigue may be the cause of an imbalance in our stress hormones that are produced when your body releases cortisol. Your body tends to release excessive cortisol in response to a bad or unhealthy diet, especially one with excessive daily consumption of sugar. This fatigue may even make you feel a little depressed and lethargic and cause brain fog or brain fatigue, a temporary condition in which your brain is simply exhausted and cannot perform the simplest task.

You are unable to lose weight.

The stress hormone cortisol not only makes you feel tired but can also hinder your body’s ability to maintain or lose weight. Your hormones control your metabolism. An imbalance in your hormones can result in a slowed or inefficient metabolism. Furthermore, hormonal imbalances promote fat storage that can lead to weight gain.

You suffer from insatiable cravings.

An increase in cortisol can cause you to have crazy and insatiable cravings for sugary foods. You may feel ravenous and get abnormally cranky if you are unable to satisfy those cravings.

You feel as if you are on an emotional roller coaster.

When your hormones are out of whack, you may feel as if you are on an emotional roller coaster. One minute you are happy and having the time of your life and in the next, you may feel incredibly depressed. Hormonal imbalances can cause you to experience extreme, inexplicable highs and lows in your emotions.

You have digestive problems.

Hormonal imbalances can also contribute to digestive problems like abdominal spasms, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, excessive flatulence and burping, nausea and discomfort.

You sweat excessively.

Your hormones can cause you to sweat excessively when they are out of whack. This is due to a swing of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, which are caused by hormonal imbalances in your body.

What to do if you are struggling with these symptoms?

The key to supporting your hormones is to focus on these key areas:

Nourish – eating unprocessed wholefoods and avoiding too much sugar, alcohol and stimulants will help to reduce stress and calm your hormones
Cleanse – think about all parts f your life. What you eat, absorb through your skin in personal care products and inhale in your environment.
Restore balance by resting and getting excellent quality sleep
Realign your body and mind with gentle exercise. Strengthening and stretching daily can help you digest better and bring harmony to the hormones.

If you would like to get your hormones tested book a call here and be sure to check out the programs on my website

The best foods to support your thyroid

Written by trish on October 19, 2021. Posted in Blog, Brain Fog, Cold extremities, Constipation, Depression, Energy, Fatigue, Hair loss, Health, Libido, Memory, Mental Alertness, Mood, Stamina, Vitamins, Weight.

If you are struggling with weight gain, poor memory, low libido, feeling tired all the time and brain fog it may well be due to your thyroid.

Your thyroid helps regulate metabolism, hair growth, body temperature and digestion. Your body contains a TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) The TSH comes from your brain and goes to your thyroid glands, signalling them to produce T4, your inactive thyroid hormone. The T4 travels within your tissues and your bloodstream until it gets converted into T3, which is your active thyroid hormone. T3 gets into your cells to reach your nuclear receptor to increase your metabolism.

Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland present in our neck which plays a huge role in the proper functioning of the body. It releases T4 (thyroxine) and T3 hormones which helps in maintaining heart rate, breathing, digestion and body temperature in the optimal range. Improper functioning of the thyroid can affect you in a number of ways.

The vitamins that are found to be most deficient among clients who suffer from any thyroid disorder, are vitamins B12, D, A, B2, and C, and the most important of these is vitamin D. Its anti-inflammatory properties help the flexibility of the immune system and are critical in helping insulin resistance. Vitamin A is essential for eyesight but also is important in the production of TSH and the conversion from T4 to T3. Vitamin A is very important for the entire metabolic process. Deficiencies in vitamin B suppresses the functioning of your thyroid.

Eating a diet that includes foods rich in calcium and vitamin D supports the thyroid and your liver.

Foods that can help include saffron, bananas, baked fish, seaweed and fresh seafood.

Around 1,000 mg of calcium a day will reduce risk of brittle bones. The best way to eat 1,000 mg calcium is by consuming seaweed and leafy greens. It is a common misunderstanding that dairy is a rich source of calcium. Many of us are allergic or prefer not to consume too much dairy because of the increase in mucus. Eating more white beans, salmon, dried figs, bok choy, black eyed peas, tofu, oatmeal and fresh pressed fruit juices are all good ways to increase calcium in your diet.

Other foods high in calcium include spirulina, barley grass, kombu, kelp, sardines, almonds, parsley, brazil nuts, kale, sunflower seeds and quinoa. Magnesium rich foods are also necessary to help absorb calcium into your bones. Foods that are an excellent source of magnesium include dried seaweeds, soy, mung, black and lima beans, whole grains like buckwheat, corn, millet, barley, rye and rice, almonds, cashews, sesame seeds, spirulina and wheatgrass. Osteoporosis can be serious, so introduce calcium rich foods well before perimenopause.

So how do you know how your thyroid is performing?

If you are struggling with FATIGUE, DEPRESSION, LOW LIBIDO, POOR MEMORY or BRAIN FOG, WEIGHT GAIN or INABILITY TO LOSE WEIGHT, CONSTIPATION, HAIR LOSS or THINNING HAIR or EYEBROWS, COLD EXTREMITIES, and LOW STAMINA are common signs and symptoms of inadequate thyroid function.

Thyroid hormone supports serotonin function, and serotonin contributes to the release of pituitary TSH. Thus, low serotonin can be a compounding factor in hypothyroidism. High levels of GABA may have an inhibitory effect on thyroid function. Excess cortisol negatively effects thyroid homeostasis in at least four different ways.

With relation to the sex hormones, estrogen elevates thyroid binding globulin, which decreases the amount of free thyroid hormone available – thus inhibiting overall thyroid function.

Progesterone and testosterone are associated with improving thyroid function.

You may benefit from a sex hormone evaluation and possibly body identical hormone replacement to optimize thyroid function.

A comprehensive thyroid panel is suggested for all of my clients struggling with these symptoms.

Get in touch if you want to test. Functional medicine tests are a thorough way to get to the root cause of your symptoms.

KEY NUTRIENTS

Multi with B’s, iodine, selenium and zinc (& possibly iron if needed)
Vitamin C – 500mg – 3000mg per day (split dose)
Vitamin D
Magnesium – 200 – 400mg per day

If you would like me to review your current supplement regime, please get in touch. Book a call here

Link to podcast here

How to fight fat over forty?

Written by trish on June 29, 2021. Posted in Gut Health, Hormones, Menopause, Weight, Weight Loss.

Are you bothered by extra weight around the middle, poor sleep, bloating, irritability, overwhelm and stress? Get your free guide now and beat the bloat.

Ladies if you are over the age of 40 it may well be your hormones causing your digestive distress, bloating and weight gain.

As a Nutrition Gut Specialist based in Gloucester, Stroud and Gloucestershire I can help you get to the root cause of your symptoms.

Are you struggling with BLOATING, STRESS. BRAIN FOG?
• Are you overwhelmed because you are not sleeping well?
• Have you become ACCIDENTALLY OVERWEIGHT?
• Are you sick of BEING TIRED ALL THE TIME?
• Do you wish you had more energy and stamina to do the things you love?
• Does your body feel ALIEN to you?

To get started download the free eBook to beat the belly bloat and balance hormones. https://passion4juice.groovepages.com

All of these symptoms are your body’s way of telling you it’s time for a change.

So let’s do this. Together.

Here’s a peek at what’s inside my programs

Mouth-watering Recipe Guides packed with food and drink recipes to keep you nourished, satisfied and toxin-free! They are suitable for all the family too.

Weeks of suggested meal plans to make gut rebuilding easy as 1-2-3. for the entire 2-month period—yes, you heard that right—no need to plan for 8 weeks (go ahead and take a deep breath)! I made life easy for you.

Shopping lists to make your trips to the supermarket 110% hassle-free!

Weekly support from yours truly—I’m here to make sure you succeed!

Handouts with simple reminders for your gut health journey

A Food Diary and online app to easily track how your meals make you feel and unleash your maximum potential!

A juicing guide to get you started and juicing delicious recipes your whole family will love

I know you’re probably thinking:

There is no way that all of my symptoms can be chalked up to poor gut health…

Short answer: Maybe not.

Long answer: But it’s a really good start, especially when you consider these truths:

70 million people suffer from digestive issues.
An estimated 15 million people in the UK and Australia have food allergies…whether they realize it or not (and most don’t).
Your gut health makes up 70% of your immune system; therefore, if your immune system is chronically compromised, it’s likely due to poor gut health.
You gut is referred to as your body’s second brain—if that’s not enough to convince you of its importance, I don’t know what is.
Poor gut health causes auto-immune diseases, hormonal imbalance, mental illness, diabetes, weight gain, skin issues and countless other problematic conditions.
Once you rebuild the health of your gut, you’ll look and feel like a brand new person.

That’s what makes this program so different.

This 8-week adventure teaches you how to eat foods that are healthy and delicious but that also SERVE your body… and you’ll never have to count a single calorie.

Instead, you’ll learn how to effortlessly meet your health goals over an 8-week period.

The outcome? A new, healthier, happier you. I am a nutritionist based in Gloucester and Stroud. Courses are online and face to face.

You’re about to embark on a life-changing experience, because you’re about to ditch the “miracle cure mentality” forever.

In 8 weeks, you’ll discover:

YOUR unique health blueprint
How to make delicious, family friendly meals for breakfast, lunches, dinners and snacks

The exact daily protocol you should be following so that you’ll recharge your cells and beautify your body.

Real life self-care strategies for putting yourself FIRST that will rid your body of toxins and nourish body, mind and soul.

Everything you ever wanted to know about bacteria, including how to fill your gut up with the good guys and stop the bad guys.

All about the elimination diet and how to uncover which food allergies are plaguing your body.

How to give your kitchen a necessary face lift so you’re not tempted to revert back to your old lifestyle and can stay on track towards your goals.

The exact steps, week by week, that will help you achieve long-lasting results

Tactics for crowding out the bad stuff, so you can bring in yummy foods to replace them – no deprivation here!

Easy ways to order healthy everywhere, including your favourite restaurant.

How to combine food groups for maximum nutrient assimilation and minimal digestive upset

And so much more.

I’ll teach you how to become a healthy person in a completely different way. These tools, tactics, and resources are designed to help you reduce stress, achieve your goals, live a healthier life, and learn how to balance everything that fills up your crazy schedule.

Don’t spend another ounce of energy thinking about when or what to eat.

This program guarantees results AND takes the headache out of “What should I eat today?”

It’s time to get your energy, your gut, your body, and your life back.

So take the first step. Book your first appointment with award winning nutritionist in Gloucester, Stroud and the Cotswolds.

Start feeling your best today. Glow from the inside out.

Feel outstanding no matter how busy your life is, because you deserve to feel incredible with every breath.

I promise you this:

You will not starve.

You will not be deprived.

You will thrive.

No more diets. No more confusion. No more miracle cures.

No more wondering which foods are right for you. Lets do this together. Bespoke hormone and gut tests are now available with Gloucester based nutritionist.

Just a simple, 8-week program delivered straight to you. Get in touch and book a call now.https://p.bttr.to/2MZVUKN

Thyroid Symptoms and Vitamin Deficiency

Written by trish on April 21, 2021. Posted in Energy, Health, Hormones, Immune System, Vitamins, Weight, Wellbeing, Women's Health.

Vitamins are essential in maintaining your thyroid health. However, many of my clients that patients that suffer from any thyroid disorder are often found to be vitamin deficient. A few symptoms of thyroid disorders include hair loss, loss of energy, sudden weight gain and difficulty in losing it, dry skin, constipation, and increases in cholesterol.

Your thyroid is mainly responsible for producing or discharging hormones that help regulate the rest of your body. Here is a general explanation for how your thyroid and hormones work together. Your body contains a TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) that is usually measured by your doctor when you go to get a thyroid check-up. The TSH comes from your brain and goes to your thyroid glands, signalling them to produce T4, which is also known as your inactive thyroid hormone. The T4 travels within your tissues and your bloodstream until it gets converted into T3, which is your active thyroid hormone. Then T3 gets into your cells to reach your nuclear receptor to increase your metabolism.

The vitamins that are found to be most deficient among patients who suffer from any thyroid disorder, are vitamins B-12, D, A, B2, and C. The deficiency of vitamin D is found to be the one of the most influential in thyroid disorders.

Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties that help increase the flexibility of your immune system. Therefore, if the levels of vitamin D in your body get seriously low, you may fall prey to autoimmune thyroid disease.

Vitamin D is also critical in helping insulin resistance, which can adversely affect your thyroid physiology. Furthermore, vitamin D also plays a huge role in balancing the TH1 cells and the TH2 cells of your immune system by affecting the TH3 cells, which are responsible for the growth of differentiation and expression between your TH1 and TH2 cells. In short, a vitamin D deficiency can be a big problem.

A deficiency in Vitamin A limits your body’s ability to produce TSH, which is essential for converting T4 into T3 and can disrupt your entire metabolic process. It can also lead to bad eyesight.

Deficiencies in vitamins B1, B6, C, and E can lead to an overactive thyroid, which weakens the muscles. Vitamin C is also responsible for keeping your thyroid healthy; if your body remains deficient in vitamin C for too long, it can cause your thyroid to produce too much hormone. This is the same with vitamin E, too, but a deficiency in vitamin E can also cause your body to produce less TSH, which, as mentioned earlier, disrupts your whole system. If your body lacks vitamin B6, it will not be able to use iodine as its raw material in producing or discharging hormones. Deficiencies in vitamin B2 suppresses the functioning of your thyroid and it fails to produce hormones.

Last but, not the least, a weak thyroid cannot absorb vitamin B12, which may result in various neurological problems like neuritis, neuralgia, bursitis, and various mental illnesses. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can also cause and worsen Hypothyroidism, which is a deficiency in thyroid hormones.

Vitamins are important players in your body’s overall functioning. Find out what your baseline should be and talk with me about your supplements to ensure you are getting all the vitamins your body needs to stay healthy!

If you would like to learn more about 8-week gut and hormone rest program click here

Yours in health and wellness,

Trish Tucker May