Sandra‘s Closet

Let’s Talk Hormones: A Lunch with Sunday Natural at the Club zum Rennweg

Sunlight was falling through the windows of the Club zum Rennweg, the table was laid in white, and for once a Zurich lunch was not about hemlines or handbags. It was about the invisible orchestra that conducts our bodies every single day. Together with Sunday Natural, I had invited a group of wonderful women to an afternoon under the title «Let’s Talk Hormones», and what unfolded was one of the most open and honest exchanges I have hosted in a long time.

Our guest of honour was Dr. Katharina Maria Burkhardt from Vienna, a specialist in endocrinology, who gave us a rare insight into how hormones truly work together. Estrogen and progesterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol and insulin do not act in isolation. They speak to each other constantly, and when one voice rises or falls, the others answer. Stress, for instance, keeps cortisol elevated, which in turn can disturb ovulation and lower progesterone. Thyroid function influences the availability of our sex hormones, and estrogen in return affects how the thyroid is regulated. Little wonder that the majority of us experience hormone related symptoms at some point in our lives, from fatigue and mood swings to irregular cycles and the many faces of perimenopause and menopause.

What I found most encouraging was the professor’s message that we are not powerless. Sleep, nutrition, movement and stress management form the foundation, and where the body lacks certain nutrients, targeted high quality supplementation can support the system in finding its balance again. Which brought us, quite naturally, to our partner for the day.

Me with the lovely Sunday Natural team (from left to right): Clarissa Boeker, Miriam Blendorf-Preusche, Sandra Gehlen, and Stefanie Befort.

Sunday Natural was founded in Berlin a little over a decade ago out of frustration with the quality of supplements on the market. The founder wanted to create the kind of products they would take themselves and recommend to their own families. The result is a philosophy they call the True Clean Label: naturally sourced, bioactive ingredients, gently extracted, laboratory tested, free from GMOs and from the controversial additives, fillers and binders that so many capsules still contain. Even the capsule shells are kept pure. With its own research and development team and a range of more than a thousand products, from vitamin D3 and magnesium to adaptogens and fine Japanese teas, Sunday Natural has become the fastest growing premium nutrition brand in the German speaking world. Clarity, cleanliness and uncompromising quality are the three words I would choose for it, and after this afternoon I understand why so many women in my circle already swear by it.

The menu was created around Sunday Natural products, and it was extremely delicious, proof that conscious eating and true pleasure are not opposites. Between courses, the conversation flowed freely. Women shared their own experiences, asked the questions they had never dared to ask their doctors, and left with notebooks full of ideas and a new sense of ease about a topic that still carries far too much silence.

Thank you to Sunday Natural for a partnership that felt so effortless, to the Club zum Rennweg for the perfect setting, and to every woman at the table for her openness. This was only the beginning of the conversation.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Anastasia Diadio @diadio.anastasia
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Last night, I had the pleasure to enjoy a talk hosted by Net-à-Porter’s Global Beauty Director Newby Hands, arguably one of the most qualified experts in the game, and Dr. Nigma Talib ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, who is qualified to treat an array of health conditions such as allergies, chronic pain, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, obesity, chronic fatigue and menopause. Furthermore, she is the author of the best selling book «Reverse the Signs of Ageing» and «Younger Skin Starts in the Gut».

To shop Dr. Nigma Talib’s books, click here please.

With over 15 years of experience in naturopathic practice, she is responsible for the radiant glow of some of Hollywood’s most famous faces, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Sienna Miller and Penelope Cruz. Based on the link between digestive health and premature ageing, her products target common skin concerns that are a result of our diet. Her passion for creating quality and science based supplements and skin care has reached consumers internationally and started in Net-à-Porter being one of the first pioneers to introduce vitamin supplements to the fashion industry.

For Nigma, it’s all about maintaining the right balance of good bacteria vs. bad bacteria that populate the gut. She explained that we have 100 trillions bacterias, good, bad and ugly ones. 70-80% of our immune system is in the gut. If it is unbalanced, we experience problems, such as bloating, constant chronic diseases, skin problems, fatigue and much more. Newby, who suffered from migraines before, told us that Nigma changed her life in only 36 hours.

Nigma’s daily tips:

– Eat slowly, never in front of a TV (try to chew a piece of bread very slowly and it will taste sweet because you break down the carbohydrates)
– Be 80% healthy and 20% you can cheat
– Take a probiotic (it is very important that the probiotic you take can survive the acidity of your stomach), collagen, Vitamin C, E, zink, and selenium (women in their 30s with thyroid problems mostly lack selenium).
– Stop eating salads at all, even for lunch. They are too hard to digest and don’t have a lot of nutrients. Opt for steamed vegetables, they are very good for your hormones, especially cauliflower, broccoli clean out your «dirty hormones».
– Especially in the cold season, your body needs warming food. Nigma even warms up her blueberries in the morning.

When you age, your stomach produces less acidity which can cause problems. Maintaining a healthy acid–alkaline balance means, that your blood levels should be alkaline, but your stomach acidy.

Your hormones are messengers. If they send the wrong message, you gain weight, you are moody or age prematurely. If your hormones go crazy in your late 30s or 40s, first make sure that your gut gets going. It will solve a lot of your problems.

Nigma explains: «Supplements are so helpful. I tested them on more than 1000 patients over so many years. They looked five years younger when they changed their diet and took them regularly.»

Nigma’s Vitamin C cocktail seems to be a true miracle product. Both, Newby and Nigma, were sipping this kind-of-looking-like-a-fancy-Bellini drink while talking. The sachet includes 1000mg of Vitamin C of which 90% will be absorbed by your body. This encourages collagen production and helps to get rid of dry skin. It will also boost your iron and energy levels (a little tip from Newby: take one sachet before going out and you will be in great form). Nigma’s Vitamin C supplement is not giving you diarrhea.

Something extremely interesting Nigma was explaining to us is that if you don’t drink enough water, you might be carving for sweets as the dehydration causes your sugar levels to sink. Too much sugar can cause skin sagging. It decreases the immune system because sugar sticks to collagen or the white blood cells.

Nigma divides the problems in different kind of faces:

The Dairy Face
– darkness under the eyes
– eye puffiness
– adult acne
Eliminate animal milk, and opt for nut milks with no sugar!

The Sugar Face
– sagging skin
– spots, pimples, redness
Too much sugar messes up the hormonal cycle.

The Gluten Face
– puffiness all over
– inflammation, redness
Like bread rises, your face gets puffy.

In terms of a healthy diet, Nigma recommends an ayurvedic lifestyle. Himalaya salt will help with your insulin levels. Look around your farmer’s market to find fresh and locally produced food. This in combination with the right supplements will improve your well-being in a short amount of time.

TO SHOP DR. NIGMA TABIL ND AT NET-A-PORTER, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dr. Nigma Stabil ND, © Net-à-Porter and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

No single food can supply all nutrients in the amounts you need. Everything you eat becomes a part of not only your inner being, but the outer fabric of your body as well. The healthier the foods are that you consume, the better your skin will look. Supplements are a great way to deliver the right health and beauty benefits. FOUNTAIN creates water-soluble formulas that rather than being applied topically to the skin, include key ingredients – including hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and youth-boosting Resveratrol – that are bio-available and therefore easier for the body to absorb. Suitable for both men and women. My three favorites are the following:

The Energy Molecule, 240ml by FOUNTAIN
If your daily schedule is running you ragged, this super supplement will offer the energy boost you need. It’s a potent blend of Creatine – an organic acid that delivers fuel to your cells – and invigorating Vitamin B12. Mix two teaspoons into your favorite pick-me-up when you need it most.

The Glow Molecule, 240ml by FOUNTAIN
Boost your skin’s natural radiance with this supplement. A concentrated form of reactive Glutathione, this acai-flavored liquid works to counteract aging cellular oxidization caused by harmful free radicals and peroxides. Two teaspoons a day will bring out a brighter, more youthful-looking complexion within just a week.

The Hyaluronic Molecule, 240ml by FOUNTAIN
Help your skin stay soft, supple and smooth with this supplement. This unisex formula is packed with Hyaluronic Acid that holds 1000 times its weight in water to plump your complexion and keep eyes and joints lubricated. The body’s natural reserve of the molecule decreases with age, but this liquid Ginger supplement will be easily absorbed within the body when taken daily.

YOU CAN SHOP THE COMPLETE FOUNTAIN RANGE ONLINE HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Fountain