Bare Health

Tuesday 30 September 2014

We behave in a way we believe ourselves to be


‘We behave in a way we believe ourselves to be'
By Lisa Barlow



Just suppose this was a truth? We behave in a way we believe ourselves to be. Who are you? What do you stand for? Take a little time to consider these questions and write down the values you currently stand for, or would like to stand for. Commit to living these values every day. If you do I believe you will feel a sense of both fulfilment and contentment. You can not fool yourself. If you BELIEVE yourself to be a compassionate person but are BEHAVING in ways which suggest you’re not you will notice some tension or anxiety. Something will have to change. Either you will have to change your behaviour to become more compassionate or you will have to change your belief that you are a compassionate person. Something is wrong with the picture and you will need to restore balance. When the inner and the outer match it is my belief we find inner peace. Become aware of when you use ‘I’m’ for what follows is an identity statement, it’s how you believe yourself to be.  Our values and beliefs can and do change depending on our life circumstances and that’s OK too but never underestimate the power of our minds to dictate how our lives play out. Decide who you want to be and bring it into the world.

Challenge of the week: Work out your top 5 values and commit for one week to bringing those values into physical manifestation through your words and actions.

Just notice when a behaviour goes against a belief you hold about yourself. Don’t do anything else, just notice whether there is a change in how you feel. Is there a difference when you’re being congruent and when you’re not?

Once you become aware it is my belief that you can make any changes necessary to live a more contented existence. Have a go..........see what you find.

Lisa Barlow is a Personal Development Coach at Bare Health - for more details or to book a one to one consultation please call Bare Health on 01260 408413.

Wednesday 24 September 2014

Lisa's thought for the week

Thought of the Week


Week 1 – People are sent into our lives for a reason


Test the hypothesis. Look, and I mean really look, at the people in your life. There will be some you adore. They improve your life in such a way that you can’t possibly imagine life without them, actually life without them doesn’t bear thinking about. They will probably be few in number if you’re really honest with yourself.  These are the wonderful human beings who love you in your entirety. You don’t have to pretend with these people, they know you, warts and all, and they love you. They do not require you to be a certain way in order for them to love you, they just love you.  It’s not easy to be one of these people either. In order to be truly ‘loving’ I believe that we must remove the conditions to our love.  I love you when you are meeting my needs but what about when you don’t, either because you can’t or you choose not to, what then? Do I continue to give you my love? If someone is rude and abusive and has no desire whatsoever in meeting your needs I ask the question why are they taking up so much space in your life and I encourage you to ask yourself the same question. You will know the answer, and it’s unlikely to be for the same reason as I for we have lived a different life. So, when we look at the people in our lives there will also be those who don’t improve our lives much, they bring chaos, negativity, hate, bitterness, envy and all other kinds of drama to our doorstep. What about these people? They can be some of our greatest teachers when considering our spiritual development, they can teach us about ourselves and help us to progress as human beings in many ways.  We can still choose to love them can’t we?....but sometimes this needs to be from afar, if those people become abusive or violent.



Love starts with yourself and the most loving thing you can do in these circumstances is to protect yourself. 


The people in our lives can teach us most about the parts of ourselves that need to be bought into awareness. When someone affects your emotional field (and you can physically feel this) there is a lesson in there somewhere. It may be about how we feel about ourselves, how we are currently treating ourselves. You will know what needs to change but you might choose not to see this.....for a long time. You will justify your reasons.  It is my belief that people are sent to us for a reason. That reason can sometimes be wonderful; to bring us joy and happy times, to open us up to possibilities we never thought possible, to love us. At other times those people show up to help us heal in many different ways, it’s not always immediately apparent but I’ve learned that those who press my buttons the most are probably those who have the most to teach me....if I’m open enough to learn. OPEN........ x

Challenge for the week: 


Notice when your buttons are being pressed and who does it. Ask yourself what this person has been sent into your life to teach you and just be quiet enough to wait for the answer.

Wednesday 10 September 2014

Magnesium - Are you getting enough?





Magnesium is a mineral found in abundance within the human body and second to potassium in terms of its concentration within its cells. It is also naturally occurring in many foods, added to food products, available in supplement form and even added to certain medications (such as laxatives and antacids.) Approximately 60% of the magnesium in the body is in bone, 26% in muscle, and the remainder in soft tissue and body fluids. However, the areas with the greatest concentrations are those that are most metabolically active – brain, heart, liver & kidneys, having a critical role in energy production.

Magnesium is probably one of the most overlooked of minerals, with calcium often getting all the attention in terms of supplementation. However, it is magnesium supplementation that may be far more important for many. It’s one of the body’s most important minerals and recognised as an important cofactor for more than 300 metabolic reactions occurring within it. It is involved in protein synthesis, cellular energy production and storage, reproduction, DNA & RNA synthesis whilst playing a crucial role in nerve transmission, cardiac excitability, muscular contraction, blood pressure and glucose and insulin metabolism. It is also has a crucial role in bone health and mood.

Magnesium is also abundant in food with the assumption made that we should get enough through the food that we eat and therefore have little need for additional supplementation. However, many people do not consume ‘whole’ and ‘natural’ foods instead opting for processed foods and the quick and convenient option of ready meals. And so, deficiencies within the community are now becoming increasingly common, primarily due to the consumption of highly processed foods, poor intake of fresh vegetable and depletion of minerals from our soils due to modern farming methods. Certain cooking methods can also deplete the mineral content of food whilst alcohol sugar, coffee & high protein in the diet can diminish magnesium levels within the body. Certain prescribed medications can further exacerbate magnesium loss.

According to a 2013 Magnesium review the lower intake of magnesium may be related to the increased risk of chronic disease.

The daily requirement for magnesium in man is from 400 - 800 mg per day (equivalent to 2 – 5 gm of magnesium sulphate) whilst the average UK diet provides somewhat less than this figure (336 mg for men, 250 mg for women).  Many authors have made the point that a sustained diet which is somewhat deficient in magnesium will produce a gross deficiency over a long period of time. Low levels of magnesium in the diet and our bodies can increase susceptibility to a variety of diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, kidney stones, depression, cancer, PMS and insomnia. Signs & symptoms  include fatigue, muscle cramps, pain & weakness, cold extremities, insomnia, constipation, anxiety & nervousness, migraines and period pains – to name but a few. Those who are malnourished, alcoholics & diabetics will often have quite severe magnesium deficiencies whilst patients with osteoporosis, joint problems, psychiatric symptoms, high blood pressure or heart disease may benefit from magnesium supplementation (administered under medical supervision).

So, how can we ensure that we are getting enough Magnesium?


We need to obtain a variety of magnesium containing foods in our diets and when possible ensure that those foods are organic. As mentioned earlier, modern day farming practices have led to the depletion of magnesium in food – the use of herbicides like glyphosphate also act as chelators effectively blocking the uptake and utilisation of minerals – so these days unless you are able to find biologically grown organic foods (grown on soil with mineral fertilisers) eating foods with high concentrations of magnesium will be highly unusual.
Magnesium is widely distributed in the plant world, acting as the light-capturing molecule of chlorophyll; it is thought that approximately one third (or 120 mg) of the dietary magnesium typically ingested as chlorophyll is absorbed into the blood from the intestine. Thus green vegetables are great sources of Magnesium mainly due to their chlorophyll content. Dark leafy green vegetables are ideal sources as is seaweed. Other concentrated food sources are nuts, particularly almonds, cashews and Brazils, seeds such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower & sesame, whole grains such as millet, buckwheat and wheat. However it is important to consume whole grains in their unrefined state as processing removes important nutrients. Tofu and legumes are another great source and one that may surprise you – Dark Chocolate! However, this is not your everyday chocolate that is laden with sugar and milk. Raw cacoa chocolate that is available in your local health store is an ideal source and should be eaten in moderation. A favourite at Bare Health is IQChoc


Since Magnesium is depleted from soils and farming methods it is questionable as to just how much there will be in our food, especially for those who do not consume organic whole foods and fresh vegetables regularly. So, another available option is to take a Magnesium supplement. There are many forms of magnesium on the market today, all varying in quality and how readily they are absorbed by the body. They can also have differing effects on the body. Some magnesium supplements may have a laxative effect – beneficial for those with constipation but not others! Magnesium oxide is one of the cheapest forms of magnesium whilst Magnesium Citrate is one of the best, especially when taken in powder form and mixed with water. According to Dr Carolyn Dean, Medical Doctor and naturopath, taking magnesium citrate powder with water and sipped over several hours allows the magnesium to be slowly and effectively absorbed into the body instead of running through the intestines. She also advises building up the dosage of magnesium slowly. An alternative, yet very effective way to increase your magnesium levels is to apply a Magnesium spray which is absorbed through the skin or to have a soak in the bath with Magnesium flakes.

BARE HEALTH TRIED & TESTED: 

1) TruMAG by Calm Naturals


Magnesium citrate is the active ingredient in Natural Calm TrüMag. Natural Calm TrüMag is made up of two ingredients; Magnesium Carbonate and Citric acid. Magnesium citrate is produced when Natural Calm TrüMag's two ingredients are combined with hot water. The addition of hot water causes the carbonate in the magnesium carbonate to "fizz away" and the magnesium to combine with the citric acid producing magnesium citrate. 

Most magnesium citrate products are in tablet form and are only about 30% bio-available. TruMAG magnesium citrate is a liquid and about 80% absorbable. The magnesium content of magnesium citrate corresponds to about 11%. The amount of citric acid added to Natural Calm TrüMag is proprietary and is designed to enhance bioavailability. Magnesium (and all minerals) need to be in an acidic environment for the magnesium to be absorbed and Natural Calm TrüMag has an ideal acidic content to allow for maximum bio-availability.

Magnesium citrate works best if you take it on an empty stomach one half hour before bed. If taken with food, the food most likely will dilute the acid content and reduce the absorbability. It is designed to be taken with 8oz (240ml) of water. Natural Calm TrüMag Magnesium Citrate can be taken hot or cold but is best to add at least 30 ml (1 oz) of hot water to dissolve. Once dissolved add more hot or cold water and enjoy. Natural Calm TrüMag Magnesium Citrate has a citrus taste and most people find it pleasant. Natural Calm TrüMag Magnesium Citrate is an all natural magnesium supplement.

SPECIAL OFFER!! For a limited time only you can purchase TruMag at Bare Health for only £20.99 saving you £5.

2) Bare Health also loves Better You Magnesium Flakes
When dissolved in a body or foot bath the solution feeds every cell and efficiently replaces magnesium lost through modern diet and pressured lifestyles, providing you with the most relaxing 20 minutes you will ever spend! Ideal for that long soothing soak before bedtime!

Contains Zechstein Inside®  magnesium chloride, the purest known source that has been naturally condensed and purified for over 250 million years. Every 100g of Magnesium Flakes delivers 12g of elemental magnesium.

The information contained within this article is for information purposes only.

For more information on Magnesium and which form may the best for you pop into Bare Health, your local Independent health store or call 01260 408413, but, please remember, if you are taking any prescribed medications or undergoing medical treatment of any kind always seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare specialist before embarking on any supplementation programme.