Every highly aware person has known it for a long time: we are what we eat. Every time we design our meals we programme our mood and health. After all, the intestine is our second brain and its population —called microbiota— has a very strong influence on many processes associated with our health and emotional disposition. A healthy metabolism, the maximum absorption of nutrients, vitamins and microelements together with the effective elimination of waste, building immunity and protection from inflammatory processes... Everything is controlled by microbiota, a large and friendly family of microorganisms that live in our intestines. How can we make sure that the state of our microbiota is normal? I suggest starting by getting acquainted with its main assistants, pro and prebiotics. Probiotics are useful bacteria that work hard to benefit of your body, while prebiotics (indigestible fibers) simply serve as food for probiotics. In this post I will talk about ten foods that nourish microbiota and neutralize the negative effects of stress in our modern lifestyles and the unhealthy environment in large cities. Your brain, skin, and other organs will thank you if you include in your menu the following simple foods:   1. Sauerkraut Sauerkraut provides the body with a large number of useful bacteria. The high fibre content in cabbage reduces bloating and enables the digestive system to work faultlessly. Look for fresh sauerkraut, not canned.   2. Asparagus Asparagus works as a prebiotic. It contains a high amount of inulin, an indigestible fibre which nourishes healthy bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (components of our microbiota). Asparagus is rich in B vitamins and antioxidants that actively fight inflammation. Eat it raw or slightly stewed to maintain most of its …

Men need vitamins much more than women, and it is no joke. On the contrary, the latest research has proved it.   A monotonous diet and high consumption of meat instead of vegetables make men more vulnerable and fragile. The good news is that multivitamin complexes can partially fill this gap and improve health.   The human body consists of 80 trace elements of the periodic table. A noticeable lack of even one of these elements can lead to metabolic disorders, a weakened immune system and serious health problems. Vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in longevity. They are vital to the processes of blood cell generation, bone formation, intracellular respiration and tissue formation.  Recent studies have shown that using multivitamins helps to live longer. The regular intake of vitamin complexes significantly assists in prolonging life. A recent large and comprehensive French study of middle-aged men (aged 45-60) showed that the overall mortality rate was significantly reduced (by 37%) thanks to the daily intake of supplements containing 100 mg of vitamin C, 30 mg of vitamin E and 100 mg of beta carotene.   Why do men need to take vitamins more than women?   Absorption of the same vitamin complexes by men and women leads to different results. The reason may be found in different nutritional habits. Unlike men, women usually eat more fruit and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins. A nutrient-rich diet may explain why supplements containing relatively low doses of these substances do not have the desired effect on the female body. Men, on the other …

Lithium-based drugs are considered among the most effective and safest of antidepressants. Spring is almost here. Streams are bubbling, birds are chirping, sunbeams are sparkling... Nature is awakening, and our bodies are waking up with it, exhausted after a long winter hibernation and lack of vitamins. You have probably noticed that it is in spring that people often complain about bad moods. The fatigue that has accumulated over winter sometimes prevents us from enjoying spring. Those of us who find it difficult to make a seasonal change in our usual rhythm are familiar with proven methods of dealing with spring blues. Lithium is considered one of the mildest and safest antidepressant substances, and doctors often prescribe supportive treatment based on it. Some people turn to it without medical advice. Yet, I want to warn you against it. If you came across the positive effects of this drug, and even if a doctor prescribed it to you, be sure to take a genetic test before you begin treatment. Sometimes doctors forget to mention the possible side effects of prescription drugs, so it’s better to look after your own wellbeing. Lithium therapy is safe only after a gene analysis. White, soft and silvery, lithium is the lightest alkali metal. It has an affinity for oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, with which it interacts actively. Its name comes from the Greek word lithos, “stone”. It was discovered by A. Arfvedson (Sweden) in 1817. Lithium carbonate is often used to treat depression and bipolar disorder. The drug has a rather simple …