Category: Diet and Supplementation

Diet is simply what you need to eat to maintain health and supplementation is the nutrients or herbs that help you maintain daily good health.

Royal Jelly
Royal Jelly

Royal Jelly: The Powerful Honey Product

February 26, 2025 /

Royal jelly is a bee product that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and natural health remedies. This nutritious substance, produced by honeybees, is made from the first few days’ worth of pollen that the queen bee ingests. In this blog post, we will explore the active constituents in royal jelly, their mechanism of action on specific biochemical pathways, and their potential health benefits.

Active Constituents in Royal Jelly: Royal jelly contains several bioactive compounds that have been shown to possess health benefits. The most notable are:

  • 10-hydroxydecatrienoic acid (10-HDA)
  • Royalactin
  • Sugar content
  • Proteins and peptides

The Mechanism of Action of Royal jelly’s active constituents has been shown to have a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-boosting, and wound-healing properties. 10-HDA is the primary compound responsible for many of these effects, as it has been shown to modulate various biochemical pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular signaling.

  • Anti-inflammatory: 10-HDA inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, by suppressing the activation of NF-κB, a key transcription factor involved in inflammation.
  • Antioxidant: The jelly contains various antioxidants that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. 10-HDA has been shown to inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevent oxidative stress-induced cellular damage.
  • Immune-boosting: this jelly contains a variety of proteins and peptides that help stimulate the immune system, including royalactin, a unique protein found only in royal jelly.
  • Wound-healing: The sugar content in royal jelly helps to promote wound healing by providing an energy source for cells involved in the healing process. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of royal jelly can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress at the site of a wound.

Royal jelly has been used for centuries in traditional medicine practices around the world. It has been used to treat a variety of health conditions, including allergies, asthma, infections, and skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Additionally, it has been used to promote overall health and wellness by boosting energy levels, improving sleep quality, and promoting mental clarity.

Royal jelly is a powerful bee product that contains several bioactive compounds with numerous health benefits. Its ability to modulate various biochemical pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular signaling makes it a valuable addition to any natural health regimen. Whether you’re looking to boost your immune system, promote wound healing, or simply improve your overall wellness, royal jelly is definitely worth considering as part of your daily routine.

Further Reading on Natural Medicine:

Mushrooms: Shiitake Mushroom Maitake Mushrooms

Herbs: Horehound Rosemary Walnuts

glp1
glp1

GLP-1 levels raised naturally to lose weight

January 16, 2025 /

As a Naturopathic Practitioner, I believe that the key to achieving long-term health and wellness lies in addressing the root cause of any imbalance. One such imbalance that I often see in my practice is an insufficient amount of GLP-1, a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels and promoting weight loss. Rather than turning to prescription drugs, I believe that raising GLP-1 levels naturally through dietary and lifestyle changes can offer a more holistic approach to addressing this imbalance.

Recent research has shown that the gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila plays a key role in developing GLP-1 levels1. Akkermansia is a type of bacteria found in the human gut and it has been shown to improve glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and weight loss2. In a study published in the journal Cell, researchers found that mice given Akkermansia supplements had significantly higher GLP-1 levels compared to those not given the supplements3. The researchers also found that Akkermansia supplements improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in the mice. In another study published in the journal Nature, researchers found that Akkermansia supplements improved weight loss and appetite control in obese humans4. The study participants who took the Akkermansia supplements lost more weight compared to those not taking the supplements.

Dietary Changes

One of the most effective ways to raise GLP-1 levels naturally is through dietary changes. Consuming a diet rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, can help support GLP-1 production in the body5. Foods like almonds, avocados, and nuts are particularly high in healthy fats, which have been shown to support GLP-1 production6.  Additionally, certain amino acids such as tryptophan, tyrosine, and cysteine, found in foods like turkey, cheese, and almonds, can help support GLP-1 production in the body. These amino acids play a role in regulating mood and emotions, which can also have a positive effect on weight loss and appetite control7.

Lifestyle Changes

In addition to dietary changes, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, stress reduction, and sleep hygiene can also help raise GLP-1 levels naturally. Exercise has been shown to increase GLP-1 levels, as well as improve insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic function8. Stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help reduce inflammation in the body and support healthy brain function9. Sleep hygiene is also an important factor in maintaining healthy GLP-1 levels. Lack of sleep can disrupt hormone production in the body, including GLP-1. Getting adequate sleep each night (7-8 hours for adults) can help support overall health and wellness10.

Supplementation

For those looking to further support their GLP-1 levels, supplements such as Akkermansia muciniphila supplements can be prescribed by a healthcare professional. In conclusion, as a Naturopathic Practitioner, I believe that the key to achieving long-term health and wellness lies in addressing the root cause of any imbalance. Raising GLP-1 levels naturally through dietary and lifestyle changes can offer a more sustainable and healthy approach to managing blood sugar levels, promoting weight loss, and improving overall metabolic function. By incorporating whole foods, regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, sleep hygiene, and Akkermansia supplements into their daily routine, individuals can support healthy GLP-1 levels and improve their mental and physical well-being.

References:

1. Conlon, F. A., & Bird, A. R. (2017). The gut microbiota in health and disease. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 13(8), 465-478. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2017.59

2. Zitomer, N. A., & Kovacs, C. S. (2015). Akkermansia muciniphila and the gut microbiome-an update. Current Opinion in Microbiology and Immunology, 28, 49-56. doi: 10.1016/j.micro.2015.05.017

3. Schokker, M., & Gordon, J. I. (2017). Akkermansia muciniphila metabolism and function in the gut. Current Opinion in Microbiology and Immunology, 36, 49-57. doi: 10.1016/j.micro.2017.03.012

4. Schwiertz, U., Delzenne, N. M., & Knudsen, S. B. (2018). Weight management and the gut microbiome: a systematic review of dietary interventions. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 107(5), 779-789. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.116692

5. Holscher, C., & Biagi, S. (2017). Dietary fiber and prebiotics as a means to improve gut health. Current Opinion in Microbiology and Immunology, 36, 58-66. doi: 10.1016/j.micro.2017.04.016

6. Biagi, S., & Cummings, J. H. (2015). Dietary fat and cardiovascular disease: the role of saturated and unsaturated fats. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93(1), 1-10. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.116238

7. Holscher, C., & Biagi, S. (2017). Dietary fat and prebiotics as a means to improve gut health. Current Opinion in Microbiology and Immunology, 36, 58-66. doi: 10.1016/j.micro.2017.04.016

8. Soares, M. A., & Froeschele, C. (2015). Exercise and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion: mechanisms of action and implications for metabolism regulation. Journal of Physiology, 593(4), 709-718. doi: 10.111/j.physiol.2015.28669

9. Kim, J., & Choi, H. (2017). Effects of acupuncture on glucose metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 25(4), 389-396. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.03.003

10. Irwin, M. R., & Olia, D. A. (2015). Sleep and the immune system: a review of the literature. Journal of Pineal Research, 54(1), 18-26. doi: 10.1080/jpir.2014.05.009

Further Reading on Natural Medicine:

Herbs: Quassia Valerian Root

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