BioHax Picks / Gut Health

Sadly, the eighth and final episode of the award-winning HBO “Game of Thrones” series is upon us with over 17 million people tuning-in around the world. However, if you include data from piracy monitoring firm MUSO, the true figure indicates 54 million in the first 24 hours (illegal downloads), plus 17 million through HBO Foxtel.

But how do these actors prepare for their grueling roles, whilst maintaining both physical and mental wellness? There is a lot of pressure on these actors to look a certain way, especially in nude scenes when you know a large part of the world is watching and you’ll be heavily critiqued afterwards.

Not surprising, this has meant keeping a strict diet and workout regime to pull off their fierce looks and stamina.

Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister): Lena has an incredible physique at 45 years of age and advocates eating natural, healthy food and steers clear of anything artificially flavoured or “man-made.” Her diet is similar to Vikings, Spartans, Hunter Gatherers, Samurais and Monks.  She also applies the 80/20 rule when it comes to food to keep a healthy balance and enjoys a vino and McDonalds on cheat days. She also openly talks about her battle with anxiety and depression and how she overcame the “’beast.”

She tweeted: “Globally we see constant destruction of human lives. Which no matter your belief, has an effect. If we scale it back to family and community, it's been lost to greed and aspiration, no wonder we have anxiety, no wonder we overthink ..we're slammed with b******t…”

When the actress was asked for advice on coping with depression and anxiety, she said it was best to “face the beasts” head on.

She wrote: “Anxiety is a beast. You have to talk to beasts. Release them back into the wild. Easier said than done I know but still. Good to practice.

“Anxiety. Depression. It's real and it's chemical. It's also spiritual. We're slammed with bullshit; tricked into thinking you're not enough – well here's the truth. You are enough. In fact you're who you're meant to be which is beautiful.

"Don't be afraid to let someone really see you. Magic happens when you are vulnerable and truthful and human.”

Emily Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen): The English actress highly depends on her nutrition and daily exercise program to see her through the long hours on set. Clarke follows the “clean and lean” diet created by her Australian personal trainer, James Duigan. This diet advocates eating foods in their natural state void of toxins, no processed foods, sugars and only filtered water. This program is more of a holistic lifestyle rather than a diet, and for it to be effective ongoing – it needs to become a part of your daily life and who you are.

The diet recommends three organic elements for each meal: protein (like chicken, lamb, salmon, or prawns), fat (avocado, nuts, seeds, olive/coconut oil), and a mix of veggies (spinach, peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes).

Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister): Peter was a vegetarian for 15 years before going full vegan in 2014. To this day he still uses his platform to advocate for better treatment of animals and is a celebrity ambassador for Farm Sanctuary, the largest animal sanctuary in the world. He has also partnered with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and starred in a youtube video called “Face Your Food” revealing the ugly side of factory farms.

Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei): English actor who plays Missandei, trusted advisor to Daenerys Targaryen, has also been vegan since 2012. Nathalie is an advocate of whole foods and plant-based diets – “I try to stay away from processed foods,” she told Self in August 2017 – but is also a big fan of dairy-free chocolate. “Good vegan chocolate has become a thing with me. The more you silence your cravings, the bigger they become, so I prefer to have a little bit and get on with my day,” she said. She also has an appreciation for yoga and boxing.

Nathalie told Women’s Health Mag she likes to snack on “quinoa, greens, veggies and beans,” and enjoys natural protein shakes including “bananas, almond milk, coconut water, spinach, matcha powder, vegan protein powder.”

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jamie Lannister): At different times during the show, you’ve probably noticed Nikolag, 48 years old, has had to bulk up and shred weight during varying seasons.

Nikolaj told Men's Health Mag, “You read about how much protein certain people eat and hear people talk about it in the gym. But it’s not until you experience the results that you really understand. I’ve always exercised hard and thought I ate healthily, so I assumed muscle would come. But if you want to bulk up, trust me, you do really need to eat a sh*tload of protein.”

He typically has five eggs for breakfast with loads of green vegetables and salmon, a protein shake for a snack, a lunch containing two skinless chicken breasts with more veggies, and then another protein shake, followed by a dinner of some carbs and more protein.

He added, “It’s the constant eating which I find exhausting.”

When it comes to his diet, though, he admits that he has seen the value of being extreme – an awful lot of protein, all day, every day.

Maisie Williams (Arya Stark): Masie joined Nathalie Emmanuel in advocating for an end to cosmetic animal testing with Cruelty Free International and The Body Shop. She has also spoken out against SeaWorld’s treatment of its captive animals. In response to a tweet that read “How can we tell if our animals are happy? The same way you know if your dog is happy” Williams wrote, “@SeaWorld yes, because dorsal fins look sooooo happy and healthy. #dontbecaptivatedbycaptivity.”

Even young hero’s need a good diet and Maisie shared one of her recipes on Instagram: “The recipe calls for one banana, four dates, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon almond butter, 1 cup of almond milk and some ice. Mostly this is about the taste: It's a great combo, with the dates adding natural sweetness, and the banana and almond butter giving it some satisfying thickness. Personally, I'd add a lot more almond butter, unless this is something you're having more as a beverage than a meal. Her following posts do seem to indicate she was going for the former.

Blend that shit, then drink ur smoothie and try to convince yourself that drinking healthy drinks [will] counter out the fact that u ate a FAT bowl of pad thai noodles for dinner..."

Luckily Maisie still has age on her side to combat not-so-good food.

Here is Maisie’s intense 7-day workout.

Kit Harrington (Jon Snow): Men’s Health have captured Kit’s “Train Like a Bastard” in great detail. “In Thrones, Harington’s body is almost constantly swathed in layers of coats and furs. That they weigh in at almost 10kg is not the point. It’s that underneath the mythical weighted vest stands his naturally slighter physique. “I’m not a 6ft 3in guy who can bulk up and just look like an absolute unit, a tank. My body type has a tinybit of stockiness to it but it’s really quite wiry, so for Pompeii that was the sort of look I had to go for – ‘prison fit’, like Robert De Niro in Cape Fear.

For his roles, Harington has to look as though he could overpower enemy hordes. Building muscle fast means a lot of reps with the fork; for five weeks it was 5000kcal a day. “I was eating all the time: loads of good carbs, like brown rice and sweet potatoes. And lots of chicken.” Go heavy on flavouring to avoid getting bored. Harington’s trainer Dalton Wong recommends Herbamare – a mix of salt and about 15 herbs and it'll quickly pay its way.”

Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth): Christie is 6’ 3” and taller than most men on the set of Game of Thrones. But even considering her natural aptitude for the role, Christie had to put in a lot of work to make the look perfect and get her body into the shape of a committed, lifelong warrior.

She cut out alcohol and completely changed her diet. Christie’s coach Dalton Wong told Looper, “Booze can be a lot of fun, and in the messed-up land of Westeros, it's probably extremely helpful when it comes to getting through the day. But it's also a luxury the best knights must abstain from. Christie, in taking up the mantle of one of the world's strongest, took the idea of abstinence to heart. 

There's no getting around it — alcohol is a killer for diets. Not only are you not getting anything beneficial out of it nutrient-wise, alcohol calories disrupt fat metabolism, inhibit muscle growth, and lock you into a two-steps-forward, one-step-back weight loss routine, at best. Giving up alcohol for the sake of her training was a concession Christie was more than willing to make. "I don't think I've ever wanted anything as much," she said of her motivated mindset at the time. 

Wong also broke down an entire training session with Christie, “We came in at 8 a.m. First thing we do, we start off with water, espresso and a green tea or a ginger tea. That’s our little trio that we have every session. I like having caffeine before a workout because it gets us mentally aware.”

The Meal Plan

Power Breakfast: “An easy breakfast that gives you energy and fills you up with good essential fatty acids and fiber.”

1 cup organic full-fat Greek yogurt

1/4 cup of mixed berries

6-8 crushed nuts

¼ teaspoon of milled seeds

Dash of cinnamon

Performance Lunch: “An ideal lunch that has a rainbow of veggies and will not feel heavy in the stomach.”

1 portion of protein

Salad, grilled veggies or stir fry

Small amount of fat (e.g., salad dressing, olive oil, avocado)

Recovery Dinner: “The perfect dinner to aid in recovery and promote a restful night’s sleep.”

1 portion of protein

Steam, grilled or veggie stir fry

Small portion of complex carbs (side of your fist) like rice or potatoes

Very small amount of fat

Bone Broth itself has been around for centuries. In Chinese medicine, whose origins date back over 2,500 years, bone broth has always been used to support digestive health, as a blood builder, and to strengthen the kidneys. Then, beginning in 12th century Egypt, physician Moses Maimonides was known to prescribe chicken soup as a medicinal remedy for colds and asthma.

The bone broth diet has had a resurgence in the last ten years and is now a popular eating plan that combines the principles of intermittent fasting and the Paleo diet while also allowing you to take advantage of the benefits of bone broth.

It’s incredibly effective and can bring huge benefits from weight loss skin health, hair texture and even joint function without having to meticulously measure calories or macronutrients like many other eating plans.

What is Bone Broth?

Chicken soup isn’t just good for the soul. There’s a reason that it’s prescribed by doctors and mothers alike when you feel under the weather.

All bone broths — beef, chicken, fish, lamb and more — are staples in the traditional diets of every culture and the basis of all fine cuisine. They’re also now a staple in the Paleo diet and the keto diet. That’s because bone broths are nutrient-dense, easy to digest, rich in flavor and boost healing.

Bone broth or stock was a way our ancestors made use of every part of an animal. Bones and marrow, skin and feet, tendons and ligaments that you can’t eat directly can be boiled and then simmered over a period of days. This simmering causes the bones and ligaments to release healing compounds like collagen, proline, glycine and glutamine that have the power to transform your health.

Nutrition researchers Sally Fallon and Kaayla Daniel of the Weston A. Price Foundation explain that bone broths contain minerals in forms that your body can easily absorb:

• calcium
• magnesium
• phosphorus
• silicon
• sulphur
• and others

They contain chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, the compounds sold as pricey supplements to reduce inflammation, arthritis and joint pain.

A study of chicken soup (broth) conducted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center wondered what it was in the soup that made it so beneficial for colds and flu. Researchers found that the amino acids that were produced when making chicken stock reduced inflammation in the respiratory system and improved digestion.

Also, research proves it can also boost the immune system and heal disorders like allergies, asthma and arthritis.

What Is a Bone Broth Diet?

By Dr Josh Axe, Functional Medicine Doctor & Nutritionist.

The bone broth diet plan is a meal plan that involves cycling between following a Paleo diet five days per week and fasting for two days weekly over a period of 21 days. The 21-day bone broth diet plan was first made popular by Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, a nutritionist who wrote several bone broth diet book resources, such as “Dr. Kellaynn’s Bone Broth Diet.”

It involves eating one to three servings of bone broth per day each day, alongside a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods for five days per week. During these days, grains, gluten, soy, dairy and sugar should also be restricted. Two days per week, you should fast and consume only bone broth for all of your snacks and meals throughout the day.

Proponents of the plan claim that the bone broth diet results in quick weight loss, better skin, improved gut health and decreased inflammation. Let’s take a look at a few of the potential ways that the diet can enhance overall health.

Health Benefits

1. Supports Weight Loss

Many people use the bone broth diet for weight loss, and for good reason. In fact, there are plenty of bone broth diet reviews out there claiming that it can help shed stubborn pounds and jump-start weight loss within a matter of days.

So how does bone broth help you lose weight? The diet plan swaps out processed foods and unhealthy ingredients for nutritious whole foods while also bumping up your intake of protein, which has been shown to reduce appetite and caloric intake to support weight loss.

It also involves the practice of intermittent fasting, which can decrease levels of specific hormones responsible for controlling hunger while also improving overall body composition.

2. Decreases Inflammation

Although acute inflammation is an important process used by the immune system to protect against invaders and ward off infection, sustaining high levels of inflammation long term is thought to be at the root of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. The bone broth diet may help decrease inflammation, which can be especially beneficial for those suffering from autoimmune conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

It works by pairing bone broth — an ingredient that contains anti-inflammatory compounds like collagen — with intermittent fasting, a practice that has been linked to decrease markers of inflammation as well.

3. Promotes Gut Health

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects, the bone broth diet can help support gut health and protect against leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition caused by changes in the permeability of the intestinal lining, which allows particles and toxins to pass from the digestive system to the blood, resulting in inflammation.

Studies show that collagen, one of the main compounds found in bone broth, helps strengthen the lining of the gut, which could potentially aid in the prevention of leaky gut.

4. May Improve Joint Function

If you suffer from chronic joint pain, swelling or stiffness, adding bone broth to your routine may be beneficial. This is because it’s a great source of collagen, which helps restore cartilage and keep the joints healthy.

According to a study published in Current Medical Research and Opinion, supplementing with collagen was found  to be effective at decreasing activity-related joint pain in athletes within just six months.

5. Keeps Skin Healthy

Bone broth is great for slowing the signs of aging to keep skin healthy and hydrated. In fact, studies show that the collagen found in bone broth could improve skin elasticity and moisture in older women. Although more research is needed, some also report improvements in cellulite and stretch marks thanks to the beneficial effects of bone broth and collagen on connective tissue cells.

Who Should Follow This Diet?

For most healthy adults, the bone broth soup diet is safe and associated with minimal adverse side effects. It may be especially useful for those looking to boost weight loss, improve joint function, support healthy digestion and decrease inflammation. To determine if the diet is right for you, try following a seven-day bone broth diet plan to see how you feel. There are plenty of bone broth diet tips and resources out there that can help ease the transition and maximize its potential effectiveness.

However, the bone broth diet may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant and nursing, for example, should not follow the bone broth diet and should instead focus on consuming a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet. Those with underlying health conditions like diabetes or kidney disease should also consult with their doctors before considering the bone broth diet.

How to Follow a Bone Broth Diet

The bone broth diet involves following a healthy diet five days per week and consuming only bone broth twice per week, similar to intermittent fasting. The diet should be followed for 21 days in total, with six days of bone broth fasting and 15 days of eating over the course of the entire plan. Fasting days should be separated by at least one regular day of eating in between.

During the days that you do eat, you should consume one to three cups of bone broth per day as snacks and limit ingredients such as sugar, dairy, soy, grains, gluten and processed foods. On fasting days, stick to one cup of bone broth for each meal and snack, plus unlimited liquids such as water or herbal tea.

Here is a sample bone broth diet meal plan for both an eating day and bone broth fasting day to help get you started:

Click here for organic bone broth in both beef, chicken and beef and vegetable stew broth.

Sample Eating Day:

• Breakfast: Eggs Benedict
• Snack: 1 cup beef or chicken bone broth
• Lunch: Vegetable Beef Barley Soup with side salad
• Snack: 1 cup beef or chicken bone broth
• Dinner: Blackened Salmon with Creamy Avocado Dressing and roasted broccoli

Sample Bone Broth Fasting Day:

• Breakfast: 1 cup beef or chicken bone broth
• Snack: 1 cup beef or chicken bone broth
• Lunch: 1 cup beef or chicken bone broth
• Snack: 1 cup beef or chicken bone broth
• Dinner: 1 cup beef or chicken bone broth

Recipes

What can you eat on the bone broth diet? Although the diet involves fasting two days per week, enjoying a variety of nutritious, healthy foods during the days that you do eat is just as important to ensuring success. Fortunately, there are plenty of bone broth diet recipe ideas out there, making it easy to fill your week with delicious meals on the days that you do eat. Need some inspiration? Here are a few bone broth diet recipes to help get you started:

• Moo Shu Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Grain-Free Apple Crisp
• Cauliflower Steak with Italian Seasoning
• Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
• Paleo Protein Pancakes

Risks and Side Effects

While the bone broth cleanse diet can be beneficial for many, with most shedding between 4-8 kilos in the first week, there are several health conditions where heavy medication is being taken that need to be considered, so it’s always best to talk to your doctor before making any dietary changes in those instances.

The bone broth diet is also not recommended for those who have been told by their health practitioner to follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. Also note that the diet is intended to be a short-term plan and should not be followed for long periods of time.

Additionally, keep in mind that not all bone broth is created equal and should come from organically kept animals. So what is the best bone broth to buy if you are on the bone broth diet? Be sure to purchase a product from a reputable retailer and select a supplement that is free of fillers, artificial sweeteners and chemicals. Alternatively, you can try making your own bone broth at home using a simple slow cooker recipe. This puts you in full control of what’s going on your plate to help maximise the potential health benefits of the bone broth diet.

When thinking about what to eat for breakfast, a steaming hot bowl of oats with banana and honey comes to mind or mixed in as granola or muesli with fruit and yoghurt in summer. However you consume them, most people do include oats as a regular, daily intake of nutrition for breakfast. 

Oats are classified as a grain and also rolled and crushed to make fine flour for baking and used in dry pet food for livestock.

They’re rich in fibre, high in protein, antioxidants, low in fat and highly nutritious with many health benefits.

There are also several types of oats to choose from including rolled, steel-cut and quick (instant) cooking oats and vary slightly in their nutrient profile.

However, you may be wondering whether oats and oatmeal contain gluten.

This article explains how best to include oats in a gluten-free diet.

What’s the problem with gluten?

Gluten-free diets have become very popular as more people in general are suffering the daily effects of IBS and have been tested positive for celiac disease.

In fact, surveys state that as many as 15–30% of the population try to avoid gluten for various health reasons.

Gluten is a family of proteins found in grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley. These proteins give bread and pasta their stretchy, chewy texture (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).

Most people can eat gluten without any side effects, but these proteins can cause serious health problems for some individuals.

Gluten may cause digestive issues in certain populations because its unique amino acid structure may hinder the digestive enzymes in your gut (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).

If you have celiac disease, your body launches an autoimmune response to gluten, damaging your intestinal lining (5Trusted Source).

If you’re intolerant to gluten, even a tiny amount is harmful, making a gluten-free diet the only way to avoid serious health issues (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

Are oats gluten-free?

Studies by Healthline. 

Pure oats that have not been contaminated or grown alongside other crops that contain gluten are gluten-free and safe for most people with gluten intolerance.

However, oats are often contaminated with gluten because they may be processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye, and barley.

This is why we have sourced oats that have been gluten tested, to ensure its safe for those who suffer from a gluten intolerance. Please read further below for testing results.

Studies show that most people with celiac disease or wheat allergy can tolerate 50–100 grams of pure oats per day without adverse effects (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).

One 8-year study in 106 people with celiac disease revealed that half of them ate oats daily — and none experienced negative effects (10Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

Additionally, some countries recommend including oats in a gluten-free diet. A few studies note that people with celiac disease living in these countries had better intestinal healing than people in countries that did not (10Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).

So in summary, pure, uncontaminated oats are also safe for people who have a wheat allergy.

Oats are often contaminated with gluten

Although oats themselves don’t contain gluten if grown and processed in a pure environment, they’re often grown alongside other crops.

The same equipment is typically used to harvest crops in neighbouring fields, which leads to cross-contamination if one of those crops contains gluten.

The sowing seed may also be impure, harbouring a small amount of wheat, rye, or barley seeds.

Additionally, products made with oats are usually processed, prepared, and packaged in the same facilities as gluten-containing products.

Therefore, it’s unsurprising that studies analysing regular oat products identified levels of gluten far exceeding the standard for gluten-free foods (16Trusted Source, 17, 18Trusted Source).

One study in 109 oat-containing products on the market in North America and Europe found that the products contained over 200 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, on average (16Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

Just 20 ppm of gluten may be enough to cause a reaction in someone with celiac disease (16Trusted Source). Our gluten-tested oats have come back as <5ppm making them safe to consume.

This high risk of contamination means that it’s unsafe to include conventionally grown oats in a strict gluten-free diet.

Notably, a number of companies have begun to process oats with clean equipment and grow them in fields designated gluten-free. These oats can be marketed as gluten-free and must contain less than 20 ppm of gluten (20).

Still, even gluten-free labels may not be completely reliable. One study discovered that gluten levels exceeded safety limits in 5% of products labelled gluten-free.

However, 100% of the oat products passed the test, implying that labels certifying oats and oatmeal as gluten-free can be trusted in most cases (16Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).

Why you may still not be able to tolerate oats?

It is always best practice to avoid eating foods that cause any adverse side effects including the more common side effects of bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, lethargy after eating, headaches and flatulence. A very small number of people with celiac disease (and possibly other auto-immune diseases) may still not be unable to tolerate pure, uncontaminated oats.

This is why…

Pure oats contain a protein called avenin, that may cause problems because it has a very similar amino-acid structure as gluten.

The majority of people who are sensitive to gluten do not react to avenin. They can eat pure, uncontaminated oats with no problems (22Trusted Source).

However, a tiny percentage of people with celiac disease may react to avenin. For these few people, even certified gluten-free oats may be unsafe (16Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).

One study discovered that most people with celiac disease had the potential to react to avenin. However, only 8% of the participants had an actual response after eating a large amount of oats (24Trusted Source).

In those cases, the responses were small and did not cause clinical symptoms or relapse. Therefore, the researchers concluded that people with celiac disease could still eat up to 100 grams of pure oats per day (24Trusted Source).

Additionally, two other small studies found that some people with celiac disease experienced a small immune response and more intestinal symptoms while eating oats than those on a traditional gluten-free diet (25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).

Despite these effects, none of the people in these studies experienced any intestinal damage from oats (25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).

Oats have many health benefits

It sucks sometimes to be forced to lead a gluten-free lifestyle, as it becomes very limiting in food choices and avoiding foods you once loved, especially in terms of grains and starchy foods.

Including oats and oatmeal to your diet (if you can tolerate them) can add much-needed variety and sustenance.

What’s more, several studies show that following a completely 100% gluten-free diet may result in an inadequate intake of fibre, B vitamins, folate, and minerals like iron, magnesium, selenium, manganese, and zinc (10Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).

Oats happen to be a good source of all of these vitamins and minerals. They’re also a fantastic source of fibre, which makes them the perfect natural supplement.

Additionally, oats provide several impressive health benefits:

• Heart health. Oats can help improve risk factors for heart disease by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and raising HDL (good) cholesterol (30Trusted Source).
• Weight loss. Oats and oatmeal can aid weight loss by helping control appetite and increase fullness (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source).
• Diabetes control. Oats can help improve blood sugar control, blood fat levels, and insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes (34Trusted Source).

Since it’s not possible to know whether you’ll react to avenin, you might want to consult your medical practitioner before adding oats to a gluten-free diet.

However, the vast majority of people can safely enjoy oats and all of the delicious foods made with them.

More About BioHax Organic Rolled Oats - Gluten Tested

We’ve soured sustainably grown and 100% organic, wholegrain rolled oats from Finland.

Oats are a good source of protein and dietary fibre, including soluble beta-glucan. They’re also a complex carbohydrate with a low glycaemic index and an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.

While these oats are considered low gluten (<5ppm) or ‘uncontaminated’ under Europe and USA regulations, the Australian Food Standards Code prohibits the use of a ‘gluten-free’ claim on oat containing products. Therefore, due to these “regulations” we must state that these oats “may” contain gluten and “may not be suitable for those with coeliac disease.”

No GMO. Preservative free.

Product of Finland. Packed in Australia.

What are Gluten Tested Oats?

Organic Oats – Gluten Tested are oats that have been grown and processed in a dedicated mill to ensure the entire production chain remains free of contamination from gluten products. They have been tested for gluten and no gluten was detected within the limits of the test (<5ppm). They are sustainably grown and harvested from certified organic, non-GMO seed.

Organic Oats – Gluten Tested are not able to be labelled as ‘gluten-free’ in Australia or NZ. We can call them ‘low gluten’ or ‘uncontaminated’ (also referred to as ‘wheat free’ or ‘pure’) or as we have ‘gluten tested’ to confirm that they are free of contamination from wheat, rye or barley.

What does "Gluten-Free" mean?

Gluten-free means that gluten is not detected in a product, however, the levels of detection are different depending on where you live in the world. This difference in international standards has contributed to a lot of the confusion around the definition of ‘gluten-free’ foods.

In Australia & NZ we have quite strict standards and for a product to be labelled as ‘gluten-free’ this means that the product contains ‘no detectable gluten’. Current testing methods can only detect as low as 5ppm. In the USA and Europe, their standards are more flexible, where foods that contain up to 20ppm of gluten can be labelled as ‘gluten-free’.

What does testing at less than 5PPM mean?

The quantity of gluten in a product can be expressed scientifically as a certain number of parts of gluten contained in every million parts of the product. For example, a product that has no gluten detected at less than 5ppm means that the product has less than 0.0005% gluten content.

Restrictions on "Gluten Free" claims on product labels

The FSANZ code prohibits the use of a ‘gluten-free’ claim on oat containing products, so given this, we are not able to label any oats as "gluten-free". However we can say that they have been "gluten tested" and are less than 5PPM, which should be more tolerable for this with intolerances.

Oats that have been gluten tested and free of contamination, may be better tolerated and digested by those with gluten sensitivities. While the majority of people with Coeliac disease can tolerate uncontaminated/wheat-free oats, we recommend consulting your doctor before consuming any oats or oat containing products. If you do not have a gluten allergy but are looking to minimise gluten in your diet, then gluten tested oats are here for you.

Mark Hyman, MD released his original series of 8 documentaries called “The Broken Brain.”  In this series he interviews over 50 experts who explain the sweeping epidemic of broken brains, manifesting as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, even traumatic brain injury, and a host of other mental disorders.

Dr Hyman is one of the worlds most recognised functional medical practitioners and is also the Medical Director at Cleveland Clinic’s Centre for Functional Medicine, Founder of The Ultra Wellness Centre, and ten-time #1 New York Times Best-selling author.

The second docu-series aptly called “Broken Brain 2,” goes into even more details about the food, gut, heart and brain connection.

Subtle symptoms that can lead to broken brains poor memory, poor quality of sleep, difficulty with concentration, brain fog, etc. Even if you think you are healthy, you might be ignoring these signs and could improve and optimize your well-being through awareness and action.  

He believes everything you do to your body; you do to your brain and other vital organs. That the body is an intricate designed and connective system:

“The epidemic of broken brains is not getting any better. Alzheimer’s disease will affect 30 percent (and some experts say 50 percent) of people over 85 years old. Psychiatric disorders affect 26 percent of our adult population or over 60 million Americans. These are just some of the statistics. It’s time we put a stop to this epidemic,” Dr Hyman states.

Below is an extract from the highlight reel of Broken Brain 2:

“How is it that over 26% of adults in America are suffering from a diagnosable mental disorder? Or that over the last decade depression rates rose 18% and now its estimated 322 million people around the WORLD suffer from depressive disorders? Almost 18% of Americans are affected by anxiety disorders and by all accounts – it’s on the rise especially in the younger generation. Something is very wrong here! With all the advancements in modern medicine, why are we still seeing a growing number of broken brains?

Every other part of the body affects the brain – our digestive health, hormonal health, they quality of our gut bacteria, the strength of our mitochondria, and our immune system all effects the brain. The brain and heart have always been connected and there’s constant messages being sent both ways, so as it turns out the heart is also a key player in how well the brain functions.

Depression is not necessarily a chemical imbalance, its caused by inflammation and any kind of systemic inflammation is going to affect every system in the body. There’s been numerous studies to show that when we’re eating a lot of refined carbohydrates and a lot of sugary foods, we’re at a much higher risk of depression and anxiety but were also able to see negative changes in the brain. We also know that we can ramp up the inflammatory process in our body by just eating one meal!

So often my patients ask me “how can I transform my health and wake up feeling good every single day?” I tell them it takes inspiration; it takes intention and practical tools that we can use every day. I’ve lead thousands of patients to a life of joy and vibrancy and I want this for you to. I want you to wake up every single morning and give your highest gifts to the world – we’re taking a hands-on approach to brain health and I know you’re going to love it!”

Register here for free viewing of this ground breaking 8-part documentary series: BrokenBrain.com.

One element missing from most people’s diets is a bit of roughage to help with removing waste. Fiber is essential to normalise our digestive health, as it feeds the good bacteria in you GI tract, which assists beyond adequate bowel movements.

What most people don’t know is the ketogenic diet (or keto diet) has been practiced for more than nine decades since the 1920s. It is known for being a low carb, high fat diet, based on a solid understanding of physiology and nutrition science.

When you eat food that is high in carbohydrates the body will produce both glucose and insulin in the following manner:

• Glucose is the easiest and first molecule for your body to convert and use as energy
• Insulin is also produced and is used to process the glucose in your bloodstream by taking it around the body.

Given glucose is the main source of energy, the body doesn’t tap into fats as an energy source and are therefore not stored. This means the higher your diet is in carbohydrates; the body will always go to glucose for its main source of energy rather than fat. When you lower the intake of carbs it forces the body into what is known as a state of ketosis.

Ketosis is there from when we’re born and are only able to feed from our mothers’ milk. It helps the body survive when food intake is minimal. When in ketosis, we produce what’s known as keytones, which assists in breaking down fat in the liver.

The main purpose of maintaining a keto diet is to force the body into a metabolic state through starvation of carbohydrates – NOT calories. When the body has a higher rate of fat than carbohydrates it will begin to burn ketones (fat) as opposed to glucose as the primary source of energy.

So by changing our “fuel source” (from sugar to keytones) the body remains energized. This assists greatly with our general health, weight loss and both physical and mental performance.

Image credit: Perfect Keto

The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommend 25-31 grams of fiber per day, which is also dependant on age and gender.

The keto diet has been successful for millions of people around the world as it specifically targets the, underlying causes of weight gain. Dr Axe explains how this includes “hormonal imbalances, especially insulin resistance coupled with high blood sugar levels, and the cycle of restricting and “binging” on empty calories due to hunger that so many dieters struggle with. In fact, these are some of the direct benefits of the keto diet.”

Dr Axe continues, “Making that switch will place your body in a state of “ketosis,” when your body becomes a fat burner rather than a sugar burner. Fortunately, if you’re new to this type of eating plan, a keto diet for beginners, or keto basics, is surprising simple to follow. Here’s how to do the keto diet:

1. Reduce one’s carb intake.
2. Increase your consumption of healthy fats, which help create satiety.
3. Without glucose coursing through your body, it’s now forced to burn fat and produce ketones instead.
4. Once the blood levels of ketones rise to a certain point, you officially reach ketosis.
5. This state results in consistent, fairly quick weight loss until your body reaches a healthy and stable weight.”

Image credit: My Know Brainer

THE BENEFITS OF THE KETOGENIC DIET

In today’s video, Dr Axe (Doctor of Functional Medicine) has shared the benefits of a ketogenic diet. Ketogenic diets can actually help weight loss, cancer (as cancer feeds off sugar), and even Alzheimer’s disease. When you are on a ketogenic diet, you are putting your body into a state of ketosis, which means your body is burning fat for energy rather than carbohydrates. The ketogenic diet could be the best diet for fat loss, however he doesn't believe anyone should be on this diet for more than 3-6 months. The reason why this diet works so effectively is your body stops feeding on sugar and starts burning fat. The diet consists of about 80% fats, 10% carbohydrates, and 10% protein.

The Basic Principles of Eating
by Dr. Mark Hyman

We are all genetically unique and need to find a way of eating that matches our personal needs, but also considers the worlds ever-increasing toxic environment. Rather than waiting for disease to set in (reactionary), we should focus on preventive health care (proactive), and there are some basic guidelines we can follow to achieve and maintain optimal health. The goal is not to be perfect, but rather to have simple guiding principles to keep us healthy for years to come.

Dr. Mark Hyman is a popular American physician dedicated to tackling the cause of all chronic disease and Director of the Cleveland Clinic Centre for functional medicine. He is a ten-time #1 New Your Times best-selling author; “Eat Fat, Get Thin”, medical contributor on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, CNN and The Dr. Oz show. An internationally recognised leader, speaker, author and advocate in his field, he is also the founder of The Ultra Wellness Centre, medical editor of The Huffington Post and chairman of the board of the Institute for Functional Medicine. In short, he’s got all the right credentials.

Below are Dr Hyman’s top 12 principles for eating well:

1) Stay away from sugar.
This means a diet low in anything that causes a spike in our insulin production--sugar, flour, & refined carbs.

Can sugar impact cancer risk?
In a study completed at the University of Texas published in 2016, it found high amounts of sugar influenced enzymatic signalling pathways otherwise known as 12-LOX (12-lipoxygenase) that increases the risk of breast cancer.

2) Eat mostly plants.
70-80% of your diet should be from veggies, nuts & seeds. Stick with mostly non-starchy veggies; go easy on the potatoes.

3) Go easy on fruits.
Eat 8-10 servings of fruit and veggies a day; only 2-3 should be fruit. It is easy to overindulge on grapes, pineapple & sugary fruits & forget about your veggies.

4) Stay away from toxins and inflammatory additives.
Including foods that are non-organic and contain pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, hormones, GMO foods, chemicals, food additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, dyes.

5) Eat healthy fats.
Eat omega-3 fats from small wild fish, extra virgin olive oil, nuts & seeds, avocados, whole eggs, grass-fed meats, grass-fed butter or ghee, virgin coconut oil & MCT oil.



6) Stay away from refined oils processed with heat, solvents and deodorizers.
This means almost all vegetable oils including canola, safflower, corn & especially soybean oil.

7) Avoid or limit dairy.
Especially from modern dairy cows. If you want to eat some, stick with goat or sheep milk & cheese. Always go organic and grass-fed.


8) Meat should be a side dish.
Think of meat and animal products as a condiment or “condi-meat.” Eat grass-fed & sustainably raised to avoid the health & environmental consequences of factory-farmed meat. Broth should be consumed if you have digestive issues, an inflammatory disease or leaky gut syndrome.

9) Eat sustainably farmed or harvested seafood that is low in mercury.
Stick with what Dr Hyman refers to as wild SMASH fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring).

10) Avoid gluten.
Modern wheat is not healthy. It has more starch, more gluten, is addictive and contains harmful preservatives.



11) Eat small amounts of gluten free grains.
Especially less if you are overweight, have digestive problems or have an autoimmune disease.

12) Eat beans as a side dish, not a staple.

Are you confused about what to eat? 
Dr. Mark Hyman explains why...

Introducing Stock Broth (hybrid of stock & bone broth).

Ancient superfood and modern health trend that has proven results.

For as long as our ancestors have been able to simmer food over fire, broth has been an essential daily part of life around the world. It is one of the most healing foods to consume given it’s rich in nutrients such as collagen, gelatin and glycine. It helps heal and protect the lining of your gut, improve joint function and skin health.

At BioHax Australia we offer both organic beef and chicken stock broth (simmering bones, meat, above ground vegetables and minerals for a minimum of 24-48 hours) to eat daily as a meal or for detoxing.

It comes in a 500ml biodegradable, PLA container, is easy and convenient to heat up in 5-10 minutes (even add your own vegetables and spices to suit), home delivered (frozen) and at a low cost of $10.00 each inc GST.

Stock Broth Features:

• Collagen, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin, 19 amino acids
• Strictly NON-GMO
• Only organic products used
• Cruelty free
• Cage free
• Hormone free
• Allergy free (no gluten, dairy, tree nut, eggs, soy, peanuts, seafood etc.)

Hyaluronic Acid Benefits:

• Helps support joint comfort
• Helps support joint health
• Helps support healthy joint function

Chondroitin Sulfate Benefits:

• Helps support a healthy digestive system
• Helps maintain healthy joint space
• Helps support joint health
• Helps support skin health

Which Is Better: Chicken Stock Broth or Beef Stock Broth?

You can select one flavour or a combination of either beef or chicken stock broth, but it is often a matter of personal preference. Some people describe chicken broth as having a lighter flavour, while beef bone broth has a richer, more dense taste.

Both broths have the same health benefits and are easy for the body to digest (especially those who suffer from leaky gut syndrome), as it is soothing to the digestive system.

Either broth can be used on a detox.

Your next step to a healthier you is just one click away…

If you’ve been searching for an affordable, multi-purpose carrier oil to keep in your medicine cabinet, castor oil is a strong contender.

What Exactly is Castor Oil?

It’s an unsaturated, triglyceride fatty oil (Omega-9) derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus Communis), where 90% of its own fatty acid content comes from a rare compound called ricinoleic acid. With a strong taste and translucent yellow in colour, it was used commonly in our parents and grandparents’ days as a natural remedy to relieve constipation.

Properties include:

• Fatty acids
• Flavonoids
• Phenolic compounds
• Amino acids
• Terpenoids
• Pytosterols 

Aside from the strong taste, it’s unique compound of ricinoleic acid has led to its use in over 700 cosmetic products. This, combined with its beneficial salts and esters help stabilise the texture and consistency of external skin products and act as a skin-conditioning agent. Taken orally, the oil is broken down in the small intestine by the pancreatic enzymes, which in turn releases its beneficial compounds and metabolites.

Castor Oil as a Laxative

When you’re constipated, you don’t have bowel movements as often as you should, or your stool is hard to pass. The standard definition of constipation is having fewer than three bowel movements per week.

Everyone goes to the bathroom on a different schedule, though. Some people have several bowel movements per day, and other people have just one bowel movement per day or go every other day.

Any decrease in bowel movements that’s out of the norm for you may be a sign of constipation.

Hard stools can force you to strain while trying to go to the bathroom. Chronic constipation also causes symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating.

Castor oil can be helpful as an occasional treatment for constipation

When someone swallows castor oil, ricinoleic acid latches onto EP₃ molecules in smooth muscle cells on the walls of the small intestine and causes contractions, explaining castor oil's effectiveness as a laxative. Similarly, the researchers showed that ricinoleic acid binds to EP₃ in the uterus and causes contractions.

Click here to purchase 100% Organic, Cold Pressed, Castor Oil.

Using castor oil

Castor oil is a liquid that you take by mouth. It’s typically taken during the day because it works quickly.

The dose of castor oil used to treat constipation in adults is 15 mls. To mask the taste, try putting the castor oil in the fridge for at least an hour to cool it. Then, mix it into a full glass of fruit juice. You can also buy flavoured castor oil preparations.

Castor oil works very quickly. You should see results within two to six hours after taking it. Because castor oil works so fast, it’s not a good idea to take it before bedtime, as you might do with other laxatives.

Like any stimulant laxative, castor oil shouldn’t be taken in the long term. Over time, it can reduce the muscle tone in your intestines and lead to chronic constipation. If you continue to have constipation, see your doctor.

Health Benefits include:

• Anti-diabetic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Antioxidant
• Laxative 
• Hepatoprotective (prevents liver damage)
• Free radical scavenging
• Heals wounds
• Prevents stretch marks
• Improves immune function
• Boosts circulation

Benefits used in traditional medicine to treat health conditions:

• Abdominal disorders
• Arthritis
• Backache
• Constipation
• Muscle aches
• Parasitic infections
• Chronic headaches
• Gallbladder pain
• PMS
• Rheumatism
• Insomnia
• Styes

Can Castor Oil Stimulate Labour? 

Yes, but extreme caution is advised. A research article was published in PubMed where mice who were given castor oil while pregnant caused their intestines and uterus to contract and in turn, stimulated labour. A study was then completed on 100 pregnant women and more than half of those given castor oil went into labour within 24 hours. However, some experienced nausea afterwards.

The study authors summary states:

"Most side effects caused by taking castor oil are fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Also, castor oil affected newborn's APGOR score at the first minute … It is very important that women get the appropriate dosage from midwife or obstetrician before trying any castor oil induction."

Recommended Dosage

It is often recommended to take around 15mls (3 teaspoons) per day. As mentioned previously it has a strong taste, so it may be a good idea to mix it in with another flavoured liquid or water. For constipation relief, bowel movements may occur within two to three hours, but can take up to six hours to have an effect. A common warning is to not use castor oil for more than a week, as  you may incur serious side effects with overuse. 

Castor oil is available in both liquid and capsule forms for internal use. Best practice is to always read the product labels and talk to your doctor if to confirm any queries you may have.

Safety concerns

Castor oil isn’t right for everyone. It’s not recommended for pregnant women and people with certain health conditions.

Because castor oil can cause the uterus to contract, it’s not recommended during pregnancy.

It’s also not advised for regular use in children under age 12. If you’d like to give castor oil to your child, ask their pediatrician first.

In adults over 60, castor oil may make bowel problems worse if it’s used over a long period. It can also lower the amount of potassium in your body.

You may need to avoid castor oil if you take certain medicines, including:

• diuretics, which can also lower the amount of potassium in your body
• antibiotics, including tetracycline
• bone medicines
• blood thinners
• heart medicines

In addition to having what many consider to be an unpleasant taste, castor oil has a few side effects. Like other stimulant laxatives, it can cause cramping and diarrhea. It can also reduce the absorption of nutrients in your intestines.

24 Benefits of Castor Oil for Eyelashes, Hair & Health.