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Saw Palmetto and Its Benefits for Night Time Urination

Night time urination, also known as nocturia, can be a bothersome issue for many individuals, especially as they age. Working as a personal trainer coaching clients we try and optimise sleep and minimise stress, if an individual is getting up frequently to urinate in the night then this is going to impact these areas massively. While there can be various underlying causes, one natural remedy that has been recommend by Madalina our local herbalist has brought to our attention for its benefits in managing night-time urination is the saw palmetto complex.

 

Saw palmetto has been traditionally used to promote prostate health and alleviate urinary symptoms. In this article, we will explore how saw palmetto complex can may help with night-time urination and its potential mechanisms of action.

Understanding Saw Palmetto:

Its fruit contains various bioactive compounds, including fatty acids, phytosterols, and flavonoids, which are believed to contribute to its medicinal properties.

Reducing Prostate Enlargement:

One of the key factors contributing to night-time urination in men is an enlarged prostate gland, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Saw palmetto is thought to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that plays a role in prostate enlargement. By blocking DHT, saw palmetto may help prevent or reduce the enlargement of the prostate, alleviating pressure on the urethra and reducing night-time urinary frequency.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties:

Saw palmetto extract contains compounds with anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds may help reduce inflammation in the prostate gland and surrounding tissues. By doing so, saw palmetto could relieve pressure on the urethra and improve urine flow, leading to decreased nocturia.

Smooth Muscle Relaxation:

The smooth muscles in the bladder and urethra play a crucial role in controlling urine flow. Saw palmetto is believed to have a relaxing effect on smooth muscle tissue, which could help ease urinary urgency and improve bladder emptying. This relaxation may result in reduced nighttime trips to the bathroom.

DHT-Related Benefits:

Beyond blocking DHT synthesis, saw palmetto may interact with specific receptors in the prostate, potentially reducing the gland’s sensitivity to DHT. This action might provide further relief from urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.

If you are experiencing frequents visitors to the bathroom during the night and it is disruptive to your sleep, it is well worth giving this herb a try. Speaking with a natural health practitioner to take a deeper dive into your current state of health would be a good idea. Alongside this getting regularly exercise especially resistance training as been know to have have great benefits with prostate health, and of course reducing your alcohol consumption and cleaning up your nutrition. We may explore the benefits of these areas in further detail at a later date.

PROSTATE COMPLEX

Training with Injuries

Sustaining an injury can be a major setback for any individual. Throughout years of personal training I have seen many clients take a break from their training due to an injury and others crack on and work around them. However, contrary to popular belief, being injured doesn’t necessarily mean you have to completely halt your training. In fact, there are numerous benefits to continuing your training, provided it’s done safely and under proper guidance. This article will explore the precautions to take, the advantages of training while injured, and how exercise can aid in your recovery process.

 

What to Avoid When Injured:

 

When dealing with an injury, it is crucial to prioritise safety and prevent exacerbating the issue. Here are some activities to avoid:

a. High-Impact Exercises: Activities such as running, jumping/plyometrics, or heavy weightlifting can put excessive strain on the injured area and delay the healing process.

b. Overloading the Injured Part: Avoid excessive resistance or repetitive movements involving the injured body part to prevent further damage.

c. Ignoring Pain Signals: Pain is your guide and your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong. Ignoring pain and pushing through it can lead to more serious injuries.

 

The Benefits of Training When Injured:

a. Maintaining Fitness Levels: Training other body parts that are not injured can help you maintain overall fitness levels during your recovery period.

b. Mental Well-being: Staying active can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression that might arise from being unable to participate in your regular activities.

c. Improved Circulation: Engaging in low-impact exercises can enhance blood flow to the injured area, potentially aiding the healing process.

 

Training the Opposite Limb & the Cross-Education Effect:

The Cross-Education Effect is a phenomenon where training one side of the body can lead to strength improvements in the opposite, untrained side. Several studies have supported this idea:

  • A study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology (2017) found that training one leg resulted in strength gains not only in the trained leg but also in the untrained leg.
  • Another study in the Journal of Applied Physiology (2004) showed that individuals who trained one arm experienced significant strength gains in the non-trained arm.

Utilising the Cross-Education Effect during injury can help prevent muscle imbalances and maintain overall strength and increase the speed of your recovery.

 

Psychological Benefits of Training When Injured:

a. Enhanced Mood: Engaging in exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, helping you maintain a positive outlook during your recovery.

b. Sense of Achievement: Successfully completing modified workouts can provide a sense of accomplishment and empowerment.

c. Reduced Stress: Exercise can act as a healthy outlet for stress, as it diverts your focus away from the injury and onto something positive.

 

Can Training Help You Recover Faster?

Incorporating controlled and appropriate exercises under the guidance of a qualified personal trainer can aid in your recovery process. Exercise can promote blood flow, tissue repair, and collagen synthesis, all of which are essential for healing. However, it is essential to follow your physios advice on the injury and consult with a competent personal trainer to design a safe and effective program tailored to your specific injury.

 

Gym-Based Recovery along side your Traditional Physiotherapy:

While traditional physiotherapy undoubtedly plays a crucial role in injury recovery, gym-based training can complement it effectively. The gym environment allows for a wider range of exercises and progressive loading, which can help you regain strength and flexibility more efficiently. A skilled personal trainer can customise workouts that target the injured area in a progressive manner while ensuring the overall program promotes your recovery.

 

Training when injured can offer numerous benefits, both physical and psychological. By avoiding harmful movements and focusing on proper exercises under expert guidance, you can maintain your fitness levels, stimulate the healing process, and improve your overall well-being. The magic of the Cross-Education Effect further supports the notion that working on the opposite side can aid in maintaining strength and preventing imbalances.

For example when I tore my pec on my left side, I still worked my right side and trained my legs, I even used my legs to kick pads and the bag and worked on a few techniques. My legs grew and became really strong. When I injured me knee I trained my upper body and the opposite leg along side my rehab, my upper body really progressed during this time so remember, your recovery is not just limited to the physiotherapy bed; the gym can also play a vital role in helping you get back on track. When one limb is injured think of it as a positive step forward to take action to get the other areas stronger.

 

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Gut Health: Why It’s Important for Body Composition and How to Improve It.

 

As a personal trainer working with a wide array of clients over the years, I soon became aware of the health of your gut and the important of digestion is essential for your overall well-being and plays a huge role in your body composition goals.

Gut Health and Body Composition 

Gut health is important for body composition goals because the gut microbiome plays a role in regulating appetite, digestion, and metabolism. A healthy gut microbiome can help you feel fuller longer, digest food more efficiently, and burn more calories. Conversely, an unhealthy gut microbiome can lead to overeating, weight gain, and difficulty losing weight. If your not absorbing the nutrients that you are ingesting then this can lead you down the road to many nutritional deficiencies. My wife who is a medical herbalist and natural medicine practitioner has told me many times the first thing that is required to get fixed is the gut before anything else because if we can’t get the nutrients to where we need them to go then we won’t be able to treat what we are trying to treat. Gut health is number 1!

There are a number of things you can do to improve your gut health and support your body composition goals. These include eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and; avoiding processed foods and grains limiting alcohol; optimising sleep; managing stress; and taking probiotics. When we onboard personal training clients at Soma Fitness the first thing we look at is our clients Digestion, Sleep and Stress, we know that if any of these areas are struggling we need to address immediately and what it beyond a personal trainers scope of practice we would refer to a natural medicine practitioner.

If you are struggling to reach your body composition goals, it is important to consider your gut health. By making small changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can improve your gut health and boost your chances of success.

Here are some additional details about how gut health can affect body composition:

  • Appetite regulation: The gut microbiome produces hormones that regulate appetite. A healthy gut microbiome can help you feel fuller longer, which can lead to weight loss.
  • Digestion: The gut microbiome helps to break down food and absorb nutrients. A healthy gut microbiome can improve your digestion and help you get the most out of the foods you eat.
  • Metabolism: The gut microbiome plays a role in metabolism. A healthy gut microbiome can help you burn more calories and lose weight.

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which make up your gut microbiome. These microorganisms play a vital role in digestion, immunity, and brain health.

Why is gut health important?

There are many reasons why gut health is important. Here are a few of the most important:

  • Digestion: Your gut microbiome helps to break down food and absorb nutrients. If your gut health is not good, you may experience digestive problems such as bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhoea.
  • Immunity: Your gut microbiome plays a role in your immune system. Healthy gut bacteria help to keep your immune system strong and fight off infection.
  • Brain health: Your gut microbiome also affects your brain health. Healthy gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which play a role in mood, sleep, and appetite.
  • Weight management: Your gut microbiome may also play a role in weight management. Some studies have shown that people with obesity have different gut bacteria than people with a healthy weight.

How to improve gut health:

There are many things you can do to improve your gut health. Here are a few tips:

  • Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet for gut health includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, root vegetables, and fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir etc.
  • Limit processed foods: Processed foods are often high in unhealthy fats, refined sugar, and refined salt, which can damage your gut health and damage your intestinal villi.
  • Manage stress: Stress can have a negative impact on your gut health. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as breathing exercises, resistance training, cardiovascular training, yoga, or meditation.
  • Get enough sleep: Sleep is essential for gut health. When you don’t get enough sleep, your gut bacteria may become imbalanced. It is also important to improve the quality of your sleep not just the duration.
  • Take probiotics: Probiotics are live bacteria that are similar to the bacteria that naturally live in your gut. Taking probiotics can help to improve your gut health.

Gut health is important for your overall well-being. By following the tips above, you can improve your gut health and reap the many benefits that come with it.

Here are some additional tips for improving gut health:

  • Avoid antibiotics unless they are absolutely necessary. Antibiotics can kill off both good and bad bacteria in your gut.
  • If you have any digestive problems, talk to a natural health practitioner or a medical herbalist. They can help you determine the cause of your problems and recommend treatment options.
  • Don’t smoke or drink too much alcohol. These substances can seriously damage your gut health.
  • Get regular exercise. Exercise helps to keep your gut healthy by promoting the growth of good bacteria.

Taking care of your gut health is an important investment in your overall health and well-being. If you feel like you have a compromised gut then I strongly suggest you follow these steps, if you try and you are still having issues then I advice you speak with a professional, Madalina from the natural roots has a huge amount of experience with all types of conditions, reach out to us and we can connect you with her.

 

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