the hundred wellness centre Archives | The Hundred

pilates dubai

Pilates is one of the greatest wellness workouts out there and is steadily gaining popularity in our region. As a tool that helps in improving flexibility and strengthening the core muscles, this wonder workout has something for everyone. At The Hundred Wellness Centre, we not only use pilates as a powerful exercise style but also as a unique physiotherapy program for people recovering from injuries. Our pilates classes in Dubai are greatly focused on its rehabilitative abilities and use it systematically to condition and help our patients’ body function efficiently.

Pilates is generally known for its strengthening capabilities, affecting even the deepest muscles of the core, optimizing its alignment and creating corrective movements and patterns. This capability is leveraged by our trainers to develop a system to prevent and rehabilitate patients who have muscular injuries. In this blog, we will discuss some of the fundamental reasons why Pilates is so effective in injury rehab and prevention.

Core strengthening properties

Many of the common body injuries are caused by muscular imbalances in our body. This could be due to anything from your posture, walking style, sleeping position or sports/workout sessions. An incorrect body movement puts undue stress on your body’s core muscles, weakening them in the process. Such imbalance puts pressure, strains, pulls or tears, leading to injuries, which consists of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine.

Pilates is focused on the center or core muscles of your body. By getting trained in pilates, you will be able to stretch and improve your pelvic alignment, which is vital for our movement to avoid most kinds of injuries. Our rehabilitative pilates classes provide the right techniques to help build core strength without aggravating existing injuries.

Mobility and stability

A strong body has to stable and but still very mobile. For body stabilization, it is important to attain optimal mobility. We often quote the example of a tennis player here. In an ideal situation, the tennis player should have deep core strength and stable shoulder girdle, and yet, tremendous mobility of the arm to hit the ball right. Lack of core strength or shoulder stability can easily injure the player.  

Being too mobile (hypermobility) or too rigid (hypomobility) can both impact a body negatively. Stretching programs from pilates are customized to focus on both stability and mobility, giving a perfect combination of both, providing optimal performance and prevent injuries.

Increased flexibility 

Another reason why therapists recommend Pilates for rehabilitation is because of its flexible nature. With an increased degree of flexibility than most conventional exercises, Pilates workouts can be ‘personalized’ for every individual and still be very effective. There are basic exercises to very advanced ones that are used all used for strengthening and maintaining the body positions correctly, thereby maximizing the results.

Concentrated on positive movements 

Pilates as a rehabilitation tool doesn’t just help increase muscular strength or improve overall functioning. This physical ‘therapy’ has the ability to evolve positive body movements- where the patient is able to make a move without feeling any pain. The more the patient is without the pain, the more confident and positive he or she becomes. This drastically improves the quality of their everyday life. This healthy rehabilitative cycle helps patients recover faster from their injuries and of course, stay away from them as well.

Final thoughts

While traditional workout routines are perfect for keeping a healthy body in shape, Pilates for rehabilitation is tuned in such a way that it can be considered therapy. The underlying principles of pilates are perfect for rehabilitation. By combining the movements with proper therapy techniques, Pilates can be used to recover from existing injuries and prevent new ones. At The Hundred Wellness Centre, our pilates classes are headed by classically trained Pilates teachers, who are also well versed in physiotherapy.  With our rehabilitative pilates, we plan to bring complete harmony to your body through continuous therapeutic sessions.

 

detox program dubai

 

Living healthy is a lifelong process. However, most of us are inadvertently exposed to a lot of toxins in our daily life, which can negatively impact our bodies in the long run. One of the simplest ways to reduce the impact of toxins in our day to day life is through awareness and avoidance of chemicals and artificial products that have taken root in our lives.

As someone who wants to lead a healthy life, I strongly believe in the need to detox our lives. With that in mind, I have researched far and wide to find chemical-free products that can be used every day, reducing our exposure to toxins.

Below are some of the products that I use and recommended as part of the detox program.

Use A Non-fluoride Toothpaste – Desert Essence

Fluoride is a very misunderstood chemical that we encounter in our daily life. Small quantities of fluoride is essential for our teeth remineralization, keeping them healthy. Most of us get this required dosage from normal tap water provided at homes. However, in high quantities, fluoride is an extremely strong chemical that can harm our dental and general health. This is why it is best to avoid toothpastes with added fluoride. After understanding the effects of fluoride, I have switched my toothpaste to Desert Essence, a natural toothpaste devoid of harmful chemicals including fluoride.  Desert Essence toothpaste can be ordered online from Amazon.ae or can be bought from Organic Food & Cafe in Dubai. 

Natural Teeth Whitener – Ugly By Nature Organic Activated Charcoal 

Over-the-counter teeth whiteners are quite popular all over the world due to their ease of use. However, they are loaded with bleaching chemicals, which can strip off the teeth’s natural enamel and cause sensitivity or gum irritability. 

Apart from regular brushing and flossing, I prefer the use of Organic activated charcoal from Ugly By Nature for teeth whitening. You can buy this particular product online from Amazon.ae.

Skincare And Cosmetics – Katavi, Beauty Counter And Mad Hippie

You might have noticed that your skincare and cosmetic products come with an array of multi-syllabic chemicals. While most people assume that they’re safe enough to be applied, how much do we really know about these products? 

A 2013 study showed that 1 in 10 consumers in the UAE spends around DH60,000 a year on their beauty products, which may have only gone up since then. With the high demand for beauty products in the country, it’s necessary to identify brands that use natural and FDA approved.

I prefer to use skincare products and cosmetics from brands like Katavi, Beauty Counter, and Mad Hippie. These brands promote the use of ‘clean’ and ‘vegan’ products that are approved by the FDA and safe to use on the skin. Katavi skincare range is available in the UAE and can be bought from their official website katavi.ae. If you are interested in Beauty counter and Mad Hippie products you can shop and ship them to the country.

Organic Deodorant – Dr. Organic 

Sweating is a natural process in which the toxins in our body are expelled. However, most of us are uncomfortable with sweating and body odor, which is why we tend to use deodorants. The sole purpose of deodorants is to eliminate body odor. However, most Aerosol deodorants or antiperspirants clog up the sweat glands, thereby stopping one of our body’s natural way of expelling toxins.  Aerosols antiperspirants are also known air pollutants, which is why it’s high time we say no to them and switch to a harmless alternative.

Dr. Organic roll-on deodorant is a really good product that serves the purpose without harming the body or the environment in any way. I use Dr. Organic Manuka Honey roll-on, non-spray deodorant knowing it’s helping the world around me as well. This is available online in Amazon.ae or at Holland and Barrett health shops around the UAE.

Replacing Plastic With Glass Water Bottles

Plastic is one of the most toxic materials that has invaded our everyday lives. While it has become near impossible to avoid them completely, we can reduce its use in numerous ways. For instance, replacing your drinking bottles with glass bottles will bring a lot of difference. This is especially useful for all of us who live in such a hot country. Plastic bottles heat up in hot weather, releasing chemicals into your drinking water. Imagine the amount of harmful chemicals you consume when you drink from a bottle of mineral water! The ideal way is to carry water in glass bottles as they can be reused without the worry about toxins. You can buy good quality glass bottles from any of your local hypermarkets or order them online from Amazon.ae.

Silicone Straws 

Plastic drinking straws are still one of the many things that people use every day, despite knowing its environmental impact. A lot of us even use it at home or while traveling, without thinking twice about them. 

If you are a person who uses a lot of drinking straws at home or your workplace, collapsible silicone straws are a good alternative to plastic straws. Personally, I have them with me whenever I am traveling as they are reusable and easy to carry. Collapsible silicone straws are available in Amazon.ae.

Reusable Bee’s Wrap, Cloth Bag & Reusable Food Storage Bag

How do you normally store your foods at home? People tend to keep their food in plastic containers or bags for long term storage. But is it really safe to do so? 

Studies show that plastic containers and bottles used to store foods leach small amounts of a chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA) into the items stored inside them. Long term use of these materials to store your eatables can therefore negatively impact your health through the consumption of unwanted chemicals. 

A safer alternative to plastics for safe storage of edibles are reusable cloth bags, silicone bags or bee’s wrap. While cloth and silicone bags can be used to store raw foods, bees wrap can cover cooked leftovers while storing them in the refrigerator. You can buy reusable cloth bags from Amazon.ae, shop and ship Bee’s Wrap from their official website and silicone bags from Tavola.com or stasherbag.com.

Non-Stick The Original Green Pan & Stainless Steel

A lot of people depend upon Aluminium vessels for cooking their daily meals. However, cooking in Aluminium can negatively impact the users in the long run. According to Health Canada, cooking your meal in an aluminum saucepan can add approximately 1 to 2 mg of aluminum to your food, which can be highly toxic for your body.

Instead of this highly dangerous material, I have personally opted to use Green pan from The Original. This non-stick pan can resist heat, flaking and leaching harmful chemicals and thereby not react with your food in any way. Unlike stainless steel, which is also a safe option, green pan from The Original is non-sticky, which prevents the food from sticking to the pan while cooking. You can buy The Original Green Pan from Amazon.ae.

I also have quality stainless steel pots and vessels for more general uses in the kitchen. Similar to Green Pan, steel cooking surface also resists heat and flaking. Stainless steel products are ideal for heating water and cooking liquid foods like soups and gravy. With a wide range of stainless steel vessels available in the market, switching your cooking utensils has become a lot easier. Good quality steel vessels are now available online in Amazon.ae.

Eat Organic To Stay Healthy 

The food we eat plays one of the most important roles in our health and fitness. This is why many people have consciously shifted to organic foods. However, with the increased cost of these products, many of us find it hard to sustain this lifestyle in the UAE. 

If you have access to cheaper organic food in the country, always opt for the same. If you are looking to choose which foods to buy organic and which can be bought non-organic, here is a list of the ‘dirty dozen’ that you should remember. The 12 products with the highest levels of pesticides such as peaches, apples, cucumbers, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, potatoes, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and snap peas must be bought from an organic marketplace. By doing so, you can easily avoid consuming dangerous toxins along with your food daily. You can buy organic products from Organic Foods and Cafe.

Use Sea Salt Instead Of Table Salt

Although sea salt and table salt contain the same amount of sodium, the former undergoes very minimal processing, making it a much safer choice for consumption. Sea salt retains traces of minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which is essential for the body in small quantities. On the other hand, table salt is highly processed, which removes these minerals and instead uses additives to make the grains stop from sticking together. You can start buying sea salt from your local grocery store and use the same for cooking your foods.

Reduce The Use Of Processed Foods

Although our busy lifestyles force us to consume processed foods or eating out in restaurants more often than we should, it is important to consciously make an effort to reduce the consumption of such food. Ready-made foods are unhealthy and can harm your body in the long run, leading to diseases and conditions that may or may not be treatable.

The best way to look at this situation is to learn from our forefathers. Our parents and grandparents made everything from scratch as processed foods were not available during their times. By living off organic produce and home-cooked meals, they lived a much healthier life than what we have now; which is something we should look up to and follow. 

Use Natural Products For Cleaning Your Home

To maintain a clean and healthy home, regular cleaning is very essential. However, I personally advise against the use of toxic chemicals to keep your home clean. For instance, the presence of bleach and acids in cleaning products like Clorox releases chemical fumes, which is very harmful to your body, paving the way to lung diseases through continued exposure.

At my home, I use vinegar, baking soda or tea tree oil mixed with water to clean various surfaces. 

Baking soda and water can remove the dirt from your bathroom tiles, white vinegar is great for floors, windows, and mirrors. Tea tree oil, on the other hand, has antibacterial properties which makes it a great alternative to Dettol and helps disinfect your home on a daily basis. These products are not only safe for your home, but will also help save some money! 

Choose Your Fabric Softener Carefully – Seventh Generation 

Most fabric softeners are loaded with chemicals that are harmful to us. The vapors from the softeners can irritate the eyes and the respiratory passages and can be absorbed through the skin as well. As our clothes have already been cleaned with soap or detergent, softeners are not exactly a necessary product.

However, if you want to use softeners occasionally to maintain the feel of the fabric, Seventh Generation Natural Fabric Softener is a good choice. This particular product reduces static without the use of animal-derived ingredients, dyes, and synthetic fragrances and uses a biodegradable softener formula that doesn’t harm the environment. You can buy this product from Momzworld.com.

You can also choose natural methods like spraying diluted essential oil or baby cologne on your clothes before ironing to help your clothes smell great and feel fresh. 

Laundry Ball

While there are a number of detergents available, both perfumed and otherwise, they are generally considered harmful to the environment. As an alternative to conventional detergents, I switched to laundry balls for washing my clothes. Contrary to popular beliefs and arguments, I personally find them quite useful. At the most basic Eco Balls are an alternative to washing detergent and are supposed to make the Laundry clean without the addition of fabric softeners, fabric conditioners and anything else you normally add to the Laundry to get it fresh and clean.

Laundry Balls contain no detergents at al and work on the principle of Ionic cleaning. The ions released during washing will penetrate deep into the cloth fibers, cleaning them without fading them. They lift the dirt via without the need for any detergents or any of the other normal additions that most of use to get clothes clean and smelling nice.

So there you have it – 14 ways to detox your life from harmful chemicals and its long-time side effects. The products mentioned here are some of the personal recommendations that I use at my home. If you are really interested in detoxing your life the way I do, try switching to these greener alternatives and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detox program

Have you ever wondered how your everyday life can impact the world around you?

Like every other living being on the planet, each and everything we do leaves some impression on nature. Did you know that something as trivial as our daily food wastage is negatively impacting the earth? According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, roughly 30% of food is wasted globally across the supply chain. Unknown to many, this contributes to 8% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the world. 

Gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons are produced and emitted from food production to the use of our refrigerators. Taking the amount of metal cans, cardboard boxes and plastic packing into consideration, which we get when buying food, we are all generating a lot of waste, thereby contributing in one way or another to climate change. Overall, we can say that reducing food waste is one way to reverse the effects of global warming. 

Recent studies by Project Drawdown tell us that reducing food waste and resorting to good recycling practices can reduce more than 70 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

But how do we do this? What can we, as individuals and families do to help reduce greenhouse emissions? Apart from switching to natural products as part of your personal detox program, there are more ways in which you can lead a life of wellness; by reducing your food wastage and by starting a bokashi composting. Here’s two:

Why we recommend bokashi

Unlike other composting methods, Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process that relies on the inoculated barn with Lactobacilli to ferment kitchen waste including dairy and meat. As the input waste is fermented by bacteria and not decomposed, the process doesn’t emit any greenhouse gases or heat. The fermented matter is then directly fed to fields or garden soil, virtually taking all the carbon, energy and nutrients in it to enter the soil food web.

How we do it at The Hundred

Since we realized the impact of ‘seemingly harmless’ food waste on the environment, we were researching alternate ways to manage our organic waste. On learning about bokashi composting, we started using the method to manage the vegetable wastes from our daily meals as well as the waste generated from the 100 cafe. 

During the fermentation process, the breakdown of the input releases liquid runoff, which is high in proteins, nutrients, and lactic acid. Occasionally we drain and collect this liquid, known as the “bokashi tea”, dilute it with water and sprinkle it over a targeted area of the soil. This ensures that all of the nutritional value of the waste is utilized to feed the soil ecosystem, along with solid matter at a later stage.

Bokashi is also a hygienic waste management method due to the amount of lactic acid it produces. Lactic acid is a strong natural bactericide with antimicrobial properties. As more of the acid is produced during the fermentation process, it suppresses the lactobacilli, slowing down the fermentation and eventually stopping it.

As a result, the fermentation bin does not release any smell when it is closed. On average, this bin must be opened only for a minute or so in a day to add the input waste or to drain off via the tap.  Once the bokashi compost is ready for use, we dig trenches in our garden adding the waste and covering it over with soil. When we see our garden in full bloom, we say a silent thank you to the bokashi.

Bokashi Compost is one simple way in which you can reduce the everyday carbon emissions in your household. It’s a perfect detox program you can provide for the environment. By reducing food waste and composting it efficiently, we can all take small steps in making this world a better place to live.

 

Washboard abs. Toned 6 pack. Sleek stomach. We all wish for that. Here is a great low down on the most popular question we get from our clients …. will Pilates make me lose weight and give me a flat stomach?

The Lowdown on Pilates and Toned AbsStomach fat is made up of 3 components: visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, and a weak core. 

The first component of stomach fat is the visceral layer around and between your organs. Visceral fat is used as protection. When you are overweight it will also act as a storage area.  Visceral fat is tight, so even though your stomach will bulge it will feel tight.

The second type is subcutaneous fat.  This is the layer directly under the skin.  This is the fat that feels and looks ‘flabby’.  Woman store more subcutaneous fat than men (mainly for use during child rearing). Men with excess abdominal fat generally have hard or tight tummies while woman have loose and flabby tummies. This is due women storing fat in the subcutaneous layer as opposed to visceral layer.

The third cause of flabby tummy is weak core muscles and this is where Pilates can be a huge benefit.  Not only for strengthening and tightening the core muscles but also for burning fat and increasing blood oxygenation which burns more calories and increases cell renewal.

Pilates Strengthens a Weak Core

Since it is not possible to directly lose fat from just your stomach, you have to lose fat from all over your body.  To do that you have to increase your cardiovascular work, eat less, breath properly and of course do pilates!

The one place we can ‘spot’ train is a weak core and the ideal form of exercise to do that is Pilates.  In fact the whole basis of Pilates is about core strength in the pelvic floor, abdomen and back. For visceral and subcutaneous fat, they have to be burned off with the rest of the fat in the body.  Pilates makes your muscles stronger and more efficient at burning fat, it also trains the muscles that help you breath (the intercostals ) and makes your lung capacity bigger and more flexible.  The easier and faster exchange of oxygen into carbon the more calories you burn and this increased exchange also increases cell function by pumping more oxygen into the blood.  However Pilates on its own will not burn large amounts of calories.  Which is why we recommend another form of cardio exercise, walking, swimming and cycling are perfect.

Other Factors to Reduce Stomach Fat

There are a few other things to consider in relation to the fat on our stomachs.  We all have different genetic make up and some people store fat more on the stomach.  Some store on the hips and thighs etc.  Also the place that you last stored fat will be the first place that it comes off when you lose fat. Woman tend to store fat on the stomach and thighs first so this will potentially be the last place that will shed excess weight.

There is another factor that will effect stomach fat – stress.  When we have a lot of stress in our lives (who doesn’t have a lot of stress in their lives these days?) we release more of the hormone called cortisol which triggers fat storage in the abdomen.  Pilates helps to address the stress in our lives because it takes you out of your day completely for one. two or three hours a week.  You focus on your breathing, your body and your mind and that is deeply relaxing and stress reducing.

To Recap, Can Pilates Give You a Flat Stomach?

Yes! By doing Pilates to  strengthen core muscles, increasing the fat burning efficiency of the body, and by reducing stress in your life.  In fact Pilates combined with another form of cardiovascular workout can provide huge weight loss benefits.  But a one off session once a week for three or four weeks will only give you a basic understanding of Pilates principles. You will  need a more intensive practice of 3 or 4 times per week, plus some form of fat burning cardio exercise, and address the stress in your life, eat a healthy balanced diet to get really great results.

To get the most and best results, it is always advised to train with an expert and we invite you to join us at The Hundred Wellness Center in Dubai with our watchful Pilates experts to reap the best in your workout. We offer private and small group classes to ensure best results, from Mat Pilates to Reformer, Cadillac, Pole, Chair….don’t let those names scare you off!

To discuss a Pilates class that’s right for you, please e-mail us or give us a call  +97143447333. See the class schedule here.

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Neuroplasticity and happiness in Dubai

We’ve all heard of miraculous stories of human beings who have been able to recover completely after a traumatic injury or experience.  Many of these people have gone further than just survival and have thrived and flourished remarkably. One explanation behind these magical outcomes is something known as Neuroplasticity.

Our brains are truly extraordinary and neural pathways can be created or discarded, according to our experiences.  The term Neuroplasticity was first used by Polish scientist Jerzy Konorski in 1948 where changes in neuronal structure could be observed, in response to interactions in the environment.  Unlike what was previously believed about the brain, it has now been discovered that the brain is dynamic and its architecture can change.  It is actually possible to stimulate new circuits within the brain’s neuronal machinery.  This “malleability” is the brain’s ability to literally change shape over time, for the better or worse.

People who continuously experience chronic or traumatic stress, or who hold a negative state of mind with feelings such as anger and resentment, shine a “spotlight”, so to speak, on the neuronal pathways, that strengthen these states of consciousness. With training however, scientists are showing that neural pathways in the brain can literally be rewired.  By focusing attention or awareness on positive moments and experiences, the neuronal pathways build upon and strengthen positive states of mind.  Pathways that regulate emotions, thoughts and reactions can be reprogrammed and recreated to move us away from feelings of fear and anxiety and towards feelings of joy and happiness!

Rick Hanson, bestselling author and psychologist, points out that it is possible to stimulate our neuronal pathways to cultivate positive states of mind, and therefore enhance our wellbeing.  People, who consciously practice gratitude, benefit from higher flows of reward-related neurotransmitters like dopamine.  Synapses or gaps between neurons become stronger and new synapses form.  This is also the case with those who practice mindfulness techniques such as meditation and deep breathing.

In a world where we are experiencing higher levels of stress and chronic diseases from environmental triggers, it is encouraging to know it is possible to preserve and even enhance brain health.  We can skillfully stimulate positive mind states and therefore strengthen the pathways for a long-lasting effect like many people regained their happiness through Neuroplasticity.  As the famous saying by the Canadian scientist Donald Hebb goes, “Neurons that fire together, wire together.”

Here are 5 ways to rewire your brain towards happiness:

  1. Keep a Gratitude Journal: acknowledging the positive things and blessings in life reduce inflammation and increase positivity.
  2. Travel often: exposes the brain to novel stimuli and new environments.
  3. Learn a new language or a musical instrument: enhances formation of new neural networks.
  4. Get quality Sleep: encourages learning retention by increasing connections between neurons.
  5. Fast Intermittently: decreases the risk of neurodegenerative disease, improves cognitive function and synaptic adaptation.

Based in Dubai, the Hundred practices a holistic approach to wellness, which means they focus on how the three main areas of your life – body, mind and soul – are connected and how they can be optimized to improve your overall sense of well-being and happiness, as we experience the magic through Neuroplasticity. The team has been painstakingly curated to truly help our clients feel at home – and at peace. Each and every piece of art at The Hundred Wellness Centre has a purpose and a story behind and it’s a journey to finally finding its home here, and you can read more on the tales of some of the pieces that are dotted around the space by visiting our website, or the next time you visit just ask one of our team based in Dubai! We can help you navigate holistically through all things health, wellness, and movement. Give us a call on +9714 344 7333 today to learn more.

References:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/vanessaloder/2015/03/18/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-happiness/#7c74311559ef

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_trick_your_brain_for_happiness#thank-influence

 homeopathy

Homeopathy has been gaining more and more attention as its popularity spreads. And with good reason – it is convenient, safe, effective, and affordable. So… what is homeopathy?  

Founded back in the 18th century by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, this system of medicine is based on the premise of “like-cures-like,” otherwise known as the law of similars. 

This law of similars was already known and utilized in several traditional cultures and was used this principle in healing practices, but it was Dr. Hahnemann who developed it into the system of medicine we know today as homeopathy.  

Homeopathy utilizes remedies formulated from various substances found in the plant, animal, and mineral worlds which are then diluted to make them more potent.  

The more diluted a remedy is, the stronger its effect on the body. The idea is that as the physical aspect of the remedy is weakened (through dilution), the energetic properties are heightened. 

Working by matching a remedy to the symptoms a person is experiencing (whether physical or emotional) clinical homeopathy looks at the whole picture of the person including all the tiny details that one may not think are relevant can make the difference between the correct match or not. 

Not just anyone can match and treat with homeopathy successfully. Clinical Homeopaths undergo extensive education and training to practice. They are skilled professionals that are trained and experienced in taking a complete case of a person seeking treatment and will know best what to look for when matching a remedy. And while homeopathy is safe, and an incorrect match of remedy to symptoms will not cause any harm.. It also will not help relieve and cure. 

More and more as of late many people find themselves turning to homeopathy as an alternative gentle healing modality when seeking to treat an acute or chronic condition. 

In conclusion, for those seeking to expand their healing journey, homeopathy definitely warrants some exploration. It is safe, convenient, easy to use, does not interfere with other conventional treatments or medications, and can be very effective when used in conjunction with other diet and lifestyle adjustments to promote health and wellbeing. As with any new therapy, it is best to consult with a trained professional. In our team at the Hundred we have a clinical homeopath and would love to support you on this journey.

To learn more or to book your consultation email or call us on +9714 3447333.  

body

Food Guidelines can help you stay on track for a healthier mind and body.

What foods we put into our bodies impacts our energy, moods as well as the obvious– our physical health. By becoming more mindful and intentional about what, when and why we eat, we can create balance and harmony both physically and emotionally.

One of the best ways to do this is to imagine and understand that the nutrients in our foods act as information to our cells. When we give our bodies the right information, they will function at their highest levels —we will have more energy, our minds will be clearer, and we can live life to our best and highest ability.  

And the truth is that the quality of what you eat is FAR more important than how much you eat.  The body is dynamic system and it’s responsive to the quality of the calories you’re eating and the type of information that you’re fuelling your body with. Eating poor quality food is like talking to your body over Skype with a bad WIFI signal, it simply can’t understand how to use that information. 

The anatomy of your food matters; white bread and broccoli are not the same kinds of carbs, and on the same token, soybean oil and coconut oil are totally different kinds of fats. And all calories are NOT created equal. The sources and nutrient-density of your food play a much larger role in your health than the amount of calories a food contains.

Your body is smart, it knows the difference, and it knows which of these are supplying quality information and which are toxic. How can you feed your body with the right information? Here are a few food guidelines:  

1. Eat a diet low in sugar, flour, and refined carbohydrates of all kinds.

2. Eat dark leafy greens, lots of vegetables and some fruit (low sugar options are best). The deeper the colors, the more variety, the better. 
3. Avoid any and all foods with pesticides, antibiotics, preservatives, additives, hormones and GMO’s.
4. Eat high quality fats rich in omega-3. So, plenty of virgin cold-pressed organic olive oil, raw nuts, seeds and avocados. 

5. When possible opt for foods that are organic, local, and fresh. Grass-fed/ grass-finished meats are also the best option if you consume animal protein. 

 At the Hundred we take this all very seriously, and if you follow our social media you will see some of the wholesome, nutrient packed foods and drinks that we offer in our café.

So, if a healthier lifestyle is what you are looking for, The Hundred is here to help. With our vast resources, we can help you navigate holistically through all things health, wellness, and movement.

Give us a call on +97143447333 today to learn more– or email us here!  

thyroid

Sometimes you just feel ‘off’. You’re slightly off-balance and can’t explain it. It may be a feeling of fatigue that just won’t go away, even after a full night’s sleep. Or maybe you’re feeling depressed or anxious without a rational cause. And even though you’ve been consistent with your diet and exercise, the pounds have somehow piled on pounds that just won’t budge. All of these symptoms can possibly point to a thyroid disorder. 

To learn more about this delicate gland and its functions we share with you an excerpt from an in-depth article that Dr Faryal our in-house Naturopthic Doctor put together: 

Countless individuals suffer from symptoms of low or dysfunctional thyroid and countless more are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.  Doctors either interpret lab values incorrectly or determine that these patients are “fine” because they do not fit into the conventional reference ranges on standard panels. Thyroid problems in women occur up to 7 times more often than in men, and globally, a staggering 200 million people are living with related disorders. 

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland which sits just below the voice-box in the neck and is responsible for producing hormones which regulate growth and energy production in the body, making it the master gland of metabolism. But that’s not all; the thyroid influences and interacts with other hormones in the body and is essential for proper functioning of all organs including the heart, musculoskeletal system, and brain. 

High or Low? 

Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism are at opposite ends of the spectrum of thyroid disease. A healthy thyroid gland is initially governed by the pituitary gland in the brain, which senses low thyroid hormone in the blood and sends a messenger to instruct the thyroid to make more hormone.  This messenger is TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone.  An underproduction of these hormones will slow down metabolism resulting in Hypothyroidism which creates symptoms such as weight gain, feeling cold, fatigue, irregular menstruation, brain fog, depression, increased blood pressure and cholesterol, dry skin, hair loss and constipation.  On the other hand, overproduction leads to Hyperthyroidism which speeds up the body’s metabolism.  Classic features include weight loss, nervousness, anxiety, intolerance to heat, excessive sweating, palpitations and insomnia. 

Get the correct Tests 

Most physicians believe that the patient is fine if TSH values are within the “normal” range, however the TSH value is grossly unreliable at determining low thyroid function.  Often patients are given prescription medication for low thyroid or dismissed entirely because their TSH and T4 levels are “normal” according to the conventional understanding. 

The upper limit for TSH accepted conventionally is between 4 and 5 mU/L.  However, from a naturopathic perspective, the acceptable upper limit is 2.5 mU/L, with most patients feeling best at 1.5-2 mU/L.  This discrepancy of opinion is one of the main factors resulting in underdiagnoses which affects health and quality of life. 

Measuring free T3 and free T4 levels is essential.  Fluctuating levels along with TSH measurements can distinguish between cellular resistance to active T3 or conversion problems from T4 to T3. 

Thyroid antibodies must also be tested to ascertain any autoimmune issues and is the best way to diagnose Hashimoto’s.  The common antibodies tested are Anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase) and Anti-TGA (thyroglobulin). 

Finally, reverse T3 testing is crucial as it is the third most abundant form of thyroid hormone. Active T3 can sometimes be diverted back into an inactive “reserve” form which happens during times of illness or stress. This is worth checking when fT3 is low but fT4 and TSH are normal.          

Treat the Cause 

The physiology of this gland is complex and is interconnected with other endocrine glands, immune system, the gut, and various cellular signals A multitude of factors influence thyroid function, which if overlooked, may worsen the condition. Some of these factors are: 

Stress an inescapable part of modern day life and a major contributor toward thyroid issues.  Chronic or high stress elevates cortisol which when prolonged, fatigues the pituitary and adrenal glands and interferes with TSH.  Many overweight individuals attribute weight gain to low thyroid function, not realizing the connection to high stress and cortisol levels which further inhibit weight loss.   

Conversion of T4 into T3– Most thyroid patients receive a medication called Thyroxin which is mostly T4; this is not effective if conversion into T3 is problematic. T4 comprises 90% of thyroid hormone, however up to 60% of conversion into the active T3 form takes place in the liver. A sluggish liver despite normal liver enzymes on lab tests, will impede conversion.  Toxins from the environment and food need to be detoxified effectively by the liver, so naturopathic support for the liver may be needed. Another twenty percent of the conversion into T3 takes place in the gut so healthy digestive function is vital as well.   

Mineral and vitamin deficiencies these are common since iodine (present in T3 and T4), selenium, iron and even Vitamin D are all necessary for proper thyroid function and are involved in converting T4 into T3.  Tyrosine, zinc and methylfolate are also major players, which if deficient, can lower T3.   

Hormonal imbalances in particular excess estrogens from birth control pills, xenoestrogens from plastics and toxins in the environment, hormone-injected meats – all lower thyroid hormone. Hormones interact with each other and excess estrogens interfere by increasing the protein that binds to thyroid hormone (TBG) making it inactive. 

Naturopathic management always aims to treat the root cause. Diet is the foundation, and specific nutrients and natural medicines are used to regulate and restore thyroid function as well as to clear dysbiosis and improve gut function. 

To learn more and explore possible imbalances call today on +9714 3447333 or email us to book a consultation with Dr Faryal 

skin

Beauty comes from within… in more ways than one! The texture, tone and overall complexion of your skin tells others a lot about your general state of health. Did you know that only 20- 30% of the skin aging process is actually determined by genetics? The rest is in your control! 

It is commonly said amongst Naturopathic Doctors that the state of one’s skin reflects the health of the gastrointestinal tract or gut, as the building blocks to create and regenerate healthy cells actually start in the gut! So, what we put into our bodies, ultimately determines how well we age, and how inflamed our cells are – many skin complaints can be treated by eliminating irritating and chemically-laden foods and by incorporating a good skin-diet and powerful antioxidants into our diets. 

Join us at The Hundred Wellness Centre on Saturday June 23rd at 3pm sharp for a two-hour information packed talk in which you will learn more about: 

  • Theories on aging, and how you can push the clock back to enjoy a clearer, younger looking, more radiant complexion.  
  • The role of gut health, hormonal triggers, stress and how they contribute to “inflammaging”.  
  • The best nutrients for glowing complexion, and the treatments to keep it healthy. 

Leading this talk is Dr Faryal Luhar our in-house Naturopathic Doctor. Dr. Faryal has successfully worked with many individuals suffering from various skin concerns such as acne, dark circles, puffiness, fine lines/wrinkles, cold sores, eczema and psoriasis.   

We truly believe that the products that you put on your skin, what you’re eating, and your personal nutrition and lifestyle choices are really integral to your health and your overall wellness. So we want to be able to offer support to anyone that feels that they need some more encouragement, and more guidance in adopting a healthier lifestyle. This talk is a fantastic opportunity and starting point for anyone who wants to take control of their skin naturally from a diet and overall wellness perspective. Sign up today as spots are limited! 

 Talk Details: 

When: June 23rd at 3pm-5pm sharp 

Where: The Hundred Wellness Centre Café 

Fees: AED79 per person 

Facilitator: Dr Faryal Luhar 

Bonus: You’ll even leave with a delicious all-natural skin-care recipe to enjoy whenever your skin needs a little pampering. 

Space is limited so please contact us on +9714 344 7333 or via email us  to book your spot 

milk 

Many of us grew up with the idea that drinking milk “does a body good” and is essential to building strong bones and teeth.  However, we now know that high consumption of dairy does not actually protect us from fractures, in fact too much of it may actually weaken our bones and lead to a variety of other health problems! Countries in which milk is consumed the least are the ones with the lowest rates of Osteoporosis. We turned to Dr. Faryal Luhar our in-house Naturopathic Doctor for her thoughts on dairy milk and here’s what she had to say: “In my clinical experience, cow’s milk is a major allergenic substance which contributes to, and worsens many conditions such as asthma, sinusitis, eczema, arthritis, allergies and others. These conditions improve remarkably after the elimination of dairy from the diet.” Well, she has us convinced! 

Still got milk? Dairy has been touted for years as the best source of calcium – but contrary to popular belief, calcium needs can be adequately met by eating dark leafy green vegetables and nuts and seeds.  Magnesium and Vitamin D are actually more important for bone health.  Milk used to be called “nature’s perfect food”, but modern milk is far from it, as the actual production involves pasteurization and homogenization with the added use of hormones and antibiotics.  These processes have been found to contribute to immune dysfunction with inflammation in the gut, and also can lead to autoimmune conditions such as Diabetes, even in children.  Dairy milk also contains a molecule known as “Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1” which has been implicated in promoting cancers of the prostate, colon and ovaries.  Furthermore, many people are lactose intolerant and suffer from digestive discomfort and distress when consuming dairy.   

So, as you can see, dairy milk is NOT nature’s perfect health-promoting food—unless you are a baby cow,  in the same way that human milk is perfect for human babies! And as we all know, in nature neither species truly requires milk after the infancy stage.  

After reading all this you are probably thinking: “This all sounds great, but I could never live without -[insert dairy food you love here]-” Here’s what we say to that: So don’t! For most of your favorite foods there are some pretty outstanding dairy free alternatives. And the options available for dairy free milks include almond, rice, coconut, cashew, brazil nut and more!  And let’s not forget fermented yogurt and kefirs are also healthier options than their dairy counterparts. 

Now, if you can’t go cold-turkey on eliminating dairy and replacing it with non-dairy mylks, do what you can and gradually take milk out of your diet. Try it and trust us when we say that the benefits will speak for themselves, and you’ll be inspired to eliminate dairy completely!  

If you need help with this journey, please reach out to us and let us help you. Our team and café are the perfect support for this transition and we would love nothing more than to get you addicted to Nut Mylk!