FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Gillian McKeith, author of three bestsellers
on nutrition and presenter of the television programme You
Are What You Eat, has teamed up with Mills & Mills Medical
Group to advise them on the wellbeing of clients, both before
and after surgery. Explains aesthetic nurse practitioner
Debbie Mills, "We want to offer our clients, who have
often gone through life-changing experiences, further all-round
support so that once surgery has been completed the care
of their bodies can be continued long after. With the help
of Gillian, we can advise our clients on how best to look
after themselves. Most people assume that liposuction and
tummy tuck surgeries are a quick fix, and in one essence
they are, but everyone’s body still needs lots of TLC
for the effect to be permanent. Everybody needs to exercise
and eat a healthy diet, but it is slightly more important
when you have gone to the degrees of undergoing cosmetic
surgery to keep your wonderful new bodies in shape."
HELPING YOU HEAL AFTER SURGERY
By Gillian McKeith
There are many foods which can help boost
your immune system and may help you heal more quickly after
surgery. It’s important to start eating these foods
for a good few weeks before your surgery, in order to obtain
maximum benefits. You should aim to make changes to your
diet and lifestyle as soon as possible before surgery.
Abandon all refined and processed foods; these are difficult
for the body to digest and often contain high amounts of
sugar and salt.
Make sure you drink enough water – at least eight glasses
a day. Surgery puts a major stress on the body and you can
easily become dehydrated, which in turn can lead to headache,
nausea, dry mouth, etc. Regular drinking water is still one
of the most detoxifying fluids you can give yourself. Tempting
as it may be, avoid coffee and tea as the caffeine will dehydrate
you even more.
Eat the good fats and rubbish the bad. Good fats can be found
in avocados, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, fish, nuts and
vegetables; they fire up your metabolism and give you lots
of energy. Bad fats are saturated fats – as found in
red meats and butter. These are very hard to digest, clog
your arteries and lead to illness and weight problems.
Go on a gentle detox day about a week before your surgery.
Toxins are stored in fatty tissue so helping to rid your
body of poisons and chemicals before your surgery will leave
you better prepared for faster healing. But DO NOT go on
a fad diet. Fad diets slow down the metabolic enzyme function
in the body, leaving your fat cells bloated, toxic and stored
in your tissues.
Cut out alcohol as soon as possible before your surgery.
Alcohol weakens the liver, a basic organ for organ cleansing
and which helps rid your body of toxins.
Add some or all of the foods and supplements below to your
diet to boost your immune system, reduce the chances of infection
and get you feeling fit and well again in no time.
You can pick up these foods and supplements easily in your
local health food store.
SPROUTED BROCCOLI SEEDS
Scientists have discovered that sprouted broccoli seeds contain
30-50 times more active and more absorbable levels of specific
anti-oxidant immune properties than regular non-sprouted
broccoli (regular broccoli is still really good for you
though, and I highly recommend it). Sprouted broccoli seeds
are high in sulforophane, a powerful antioxidant. They
boost long-lasting immune support and I would recommend
you eat these sprouts twice weekly.
ASTRALAGUS
Five hundred milligrams twice daily provides an immunity
tonic which maintains our defences. This super herbal food
raises the body’s resistance to external pathogens
and strengthens your body’s effectiveness in fighting
viruses and infections.
GINSENG ROOT
Ginseng is a nutritive tonic. It neutralises the effect of
free radicals (destructive molecules) during periods of
stress. It sends messages to the immune system, acting
as a catalyst for the release of certain hormones essential
for immune defence.
REISHI AND SHITTAKE MUSHROOMS
Use in soups, stews and as a side dish. These incredible
mushrooms are a natural source of protein which induces
immune response. They contain a compound called lentinal
which mobilises our natural defences and protects the body
by lowering heat toxins created from overly acid diets.
They are also an excellent source of the antioxidant Germanium
which supports your immune system.
OREGON GRAPE
Easily obtainable from a health food store, this contains
a compound called barberine which supports the fight against
nasty bacteria.
OLIVE LEAF
This herb contains an effective natural antibiotic support
against dozens of bacteria strains.
GINGER ROOT
Ginger nurtures the regulation of compounds important for
immunity. It has a soothing, antiseptic support action
on the body.
LICORICE ROOT
This herb and tea helps to counteract the immune-suppressive
effects of stress. It also moisturises and soothes immune
organ membranes.
PAU D’ARCO TEA
This tea contains an active compound called lapachol, which
is anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and anti-microbial. It also
helps to maintain the integrity of red blood cells and
other immune-supporting organs. If you feel you are coming
down with something or feeling under the weather, then
this is the tea for you.
ECHINACEA
Echinacea helps to maintain immunity and clear infections.
It is available in tincture, tablet and tea form, best
to take in rotation – one week on, one week off.
Read
more about Gillian McKeith here |
