Holistic Nutrition Advice from Gillian McKeith

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.

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