Reclaim Your Health

27/10/2025

This month I was featured in the Integrative Healthcare & Applied Nutrition (IHCAN) magazine! I talk about my training at the School of Health, my naturopathy practice, and how naturopathy can help people not only to resolve their symptoms but better maintain their optimal health.

24/10/2025

Lots of apples this autumn? Try this delicious and healthy apple sauce recipe! Quick and easy to make and goes perfectly with morning porridge.

Super soothing and nurturing for the gut!

Did you know that a simple jar of homemade apple sauce can do wonders for our microbiome?

Apples are packed with pectin, a soluble fibre that acts as a prebiotic, meaning it feeds our beneficial gut bacteria and helps them thrive. A healthy microbiome supports digestion, immunity, and even mood balance!

The best part? Homemade apple sauce is free from the excess sugars and additives often found in shop-bought versions, and it’s so easy to make.

🍎 Simple homemade apple sauce 🍎

🍏 6 medium apples (ideally organic, leave the skins on if tolerated, or peel if you prefer a smoother sauce)
🍏 120 ml water (fresh apple juice for a sweeter result)
🍏 1 tsp cinnamon (anti-inflammatory and helps blood sugar regulation)
🍏 ½ tsp ground ginger (optional supports digestion)
🍏 1–2 tsp lemon juice (helps preserve and balance flavour)

Optional microbiome support:

⭐️ 1 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds (extra prebiotic fibre and omega-3s)
⭐️ A small handful of berries stirred in at the end (polyphenols feed gut microbes)

Method:

1️⃣ Core and chop the apples (skin on if possible for more fibre and pectin).
2️⃣ Place apples, water, cinnamon, ginger, and lemon juice in a pan.
3️⃣ Cover and simmer on a low heat for 15–20 minutes until apples are soft.
4️⃣ Mash with a fork for chunky sauce, or blend for a smooth consistency.
5️⃣ If using flax / chia, stir in while the sauce is still warm and let it thicken. Add berries just before serving if desired.

Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze in portions. Enjoy warm over porridge or stirred into overnight oats.

Your gut bacteria will thank you!

⚠️ Eat with caution in cases of SIBO as will also feed unbeneficial bacteria.

24/10/2025

Do all you can to minimise exposure to plastics - especially for children. Proven to disrupt the endocrine system, reduce IQ and fertility, increase the risk of asthma and heart issues.

A sweeping review from NYU Langone Health reveals that everyday exposure to chemicals used to make plastic household items - especially during childhood - poses lasting risks for heart disease, infertility, asthma, and even brain development issues. These chemicals, found in packaging, cosmetics, and common household items, can disrupt hormones, ignite chronic inflammation, and lower IQ.

Read the full article in our October issue, out now.

Subscribe today and claim your free issue - https://www.ihcan-mag.com/cart/?add-to-cart=112686

22/10/2025

Weight loss medication is hitting the mainstream. Many people who have struggled with their weight are turning to the various injections now available, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, hopeful that they finally have the solution to losing stubborn weight. However, these medications are not without their issues. Even for those who do not experience immediate side effects, the way that the injections work (like most medications), tends to work against how the body should ideally be operating, thus in many ways worsening the root cause of the weight issue and potentially leading to other health issues in the future. These medications affect the function of the gall bladder, pancreas, gut microbiome health and the digestive system as a whole. In this series of articles, I will cover some natural alternatives to weight loss jabs which are more aligned with how the body should function for optimal health.

While weight loss jabs focus on reducing the intake of calories through a reduction in food intake, I would argue that this is the wrong focus. The reason that people are overweight, in the vast majority of cases, is not due to how much that they eat. While calorie restriction can reduce weight, it tends to be too difficult to maintain over a long period of time and the body will realise that food is scarce and make adjustments to metabolism in order to burn less.

Far more important is what you eat, when you eat and how you eat. Paying attention to these also helps you to become healthier overall, reducing the risk of the various diseases connected to being overweight such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. I’ll cover each of these three factors and how you can use the information to lose weight without medication in this series of articles, starting today with “What You Eat”.

Natural alternatives to weight loss jabs. Learn how what you eat could be more important than how much you eat for losing weight.

20/10/2025

Are you suffering with chronic or acute pain? Bowen is a gentle but extremely effective therapy that can be helpful for a wide range of conditions. Learn more and book a session with me here: reclaimyourhealth.co.uk/about-bowen-therapy/

16/10/2025

✅Would you like to get to the bottom of your symptoms or stubborn health issue?
✅Are you looking to learn more about any toxic elements that might be in your body and the best way to eliminate them?
✅Are you thinking about trying for children or concerned about the nutrition status of your child?
✅Are you taking too many supplements without knowing how they are interacting and might be causing deficiencies in others?

A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) test might be the answer!

It's an affordable and non-invasive test which checks a sample of your hair for 29 minerals and 9 toxic elements. HTMA has a long history of use in both mainstream and alternative medicine and is even used within the NHS (sometimes!) to check for exposure to toxic elements.

A HTMA can help to pinpoint hidden toxicity, mineral imbalances, excesses and deficiencies which could be playing havoc with your body. Identifying the issue is often the hardest part. Once identified with the help of the hair mineral test, I am trained to put together a clear plan of action to correct the issue.

So what’s the difference between a blood test and a hair mineral test?

A blood test will only give information on what is currently moving around the body in the blood stream. The blood is used to transport minerals around the body. The levels in the blood can fluctuate at different times of the day and from day to day. However, the tissues are where minerals are stored. They therefore give a far more useful indication of the body’s mineral status and reserves from the last few months.

You could compare a blood test to checking the stock of a product in an Amazon delivery van. But the hair tissue test goes straight to the Amazon warehouse. Thus, a more accurate insight into the stock, or in this case, the mineral reserves, is provided. There are of course some instances where blood tests can be more useful, but the hair is the best way to know mineral status.

Aren’t vitamins more important?
While most people focus on vitamins, in many ways minerals are far more important. Vitamins are substances that the body cannot synthesise by itself and has to get through the diet. But this also applies to minerals! Minerals form the basic building blocks of enzymes, hormones, blood, bones, neurotransmitters, they affect genetic expression and the function of practically the entire body. When there is an imbalance in the mineral ratios in the body, some minerals can take the place of others in enzymes, reducing the efficiency of processes in the body and causing a wide range of issues. This is not only limited to minerals which are toxic to the body like mercury, although the HTMA also tests for these.

Click the link below to learn more about the test and how to order one, including a sample report. Or contact me today to get yours booked in! The tests cost £74 or are included with my Reclaim Your Health Gold Package. The results are then discussed and plan of action put together for you in a consultation, all details are on my website below.

What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis? Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a extremely useful and affordable non-invasive test which checks samples of hair for 29 minerals and 9 toxic...

13/10/2025

"With the slightest squiggle of her fingers, it felt like petrol was being put back in my tank and I could feel all the stress seeping away." Bear Grylls

Ex-SAS trooper and survival expert Bear Grylls became a fan of Bowen after it helped him to recover from a serious spine injury. Visit my website to learn more about Bowen and book a session for yourself: https://reclaimyourhealth.co.uk/about-bowen-therapy/

12/10/2025

Ever wondered how dental procedures like root canals, crowns and fillings can affect health? 🧐 While we are generally told that these procedures are safe and effective, there are various considerations that I feel should be more widely known. I have had clients where a significant cause of their health issue was a hidden issue with one of their teeth - it's more common than you might think.

Modern dentistry employs a wide range of procedures designed to support the maintenance of our teeth and our bite, with the primary aim being to maintain a set of teeth that can be utilised for eating and chewing without pain. Very often these days however, the cosmetic aspect of dentistry is given a prominent place in decision making, with whitening procedures, orthodontic work to give people more attractive smiles, and even extractions of healthy teeth to be replaced with implants for cosmetic reasons only. Because dentists are limited in their training to the teeth themselves, usually not even taught to take into account the most utilised joint in the body, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and its importance, their decisions can often have unforeseen consequences on the health of the rest of the body. In this article, I explore a range of common dental procedures and consider their potential effects which are often missed by patients and dentists alike.

Click the link below to read the entire article. I cover fillings, crowns, extractions and root canals in detail.

Modern dentistry employs a wide range of procedures designed to support the maintenance of our teeth and our bite, with the primary aim being to maintain a set of teeth...

08/10/2025

Hydration is such a key foundation to vibrant health, affecting all systems of the body, not least of all the fascia and other connective tissues. Other key processes reliant on good hydration include the digestive system, the joints, the liver, kidneys, brain and much more. So when Bowen therapists or naturopaths tell you to drink more water, pay attention! However, improving hydration, especially when the body has been in a chronic state of dehydration, involves a lot more than just increasing the amount of water you drink.

I'll share more on this in coming posts, keep an eye out.

🌀 “Bowen + Water = your body’s best reset.”

Did you know your fascia (the connective tissue that wraps through your whole body) needs water to stay healthy, mobile, and pain-free?

On the left of this picture, fascia is hydrated – it’s smooth, springy and allows for ease of movement, better energy flow, and cellular communication. On the right, dehydrated fascia looks tight, sticky and restricted – leading to stiffness, poor recovery, and even chronic pain.

This is why in Bowen Therapy we encourage drinking plenty of water before and after your treatment. Staying hydrated helps your fascia respond better to the gentle moves, supporting:
✨ Improved mobility
✨ Lymphatic drainage
✨ Efficient energy systems
✨ Emotional balance

So if you’ve got a Bowen session booked, remember: bring your bottle of water with you, and keep sipping afterwards too. Your body (and fascia!) will thank you. 🌿

www.bowentherapybyannahugill.co.uk

26/09/2025

Alongside nutrition, my naturopathic practice also includes the Bowen technique. But what is Bowen?

Bowen is a naturopathic therapy that aims to rebalance the whole person, not just to address the current symptoms. Bowen stimulates the body’s innate ability to rebalance itself. After a case history is taken and various assessments made, the treatment involves unique rolling-type moves over precise areas of the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and even meridian points. These moves stimulate changes in the fascia and autonomic nervous system which can result in changes in structural alignment, nervous system and bodily functions.

Bowen Therapy was initially developed by Thomas Ambrose Bowen in the 1970s and 80s in Australia, whose treatments were so effective that he treated over 13,000 clients per year! The therapy was introduced to the UK in the 1990s and is rapidly growing in popularity as more people discover how effective it can be.

Common presentations include back and neck pain, sciatica, knee and ankle injuries, frozen shoulder, digestive issues, respiratory problems, structural imbalances, sports injuries, and stress. Practically any problem can potentially be addressed. Many people have sessions of Bowen therapy in order to support their stress levels and maintain their health, booking regular treatment to help them to not only be free of pain or discomfort, but also to optimise their physical and mental condition.

In cases where it is relevant, I may also offer some basic nutritional and other related steps that could be taken to assist your condition. As a fully trained naturopath and nutritional therapist, I am uniquely placed to offer this more complete service to my Bowen clients.

Click the link to learn more about my Bowen and other naturopathic services. It's time to reclaim your health, naturally.

Michael Rogan ND Registered Naturopath & Nutritional Therapist Certified Bowen Health Therapist Nutrition Tutor @ School of Health ND, MSc, MEng, DipNutTh, MRN, MFNTP

24/09/2025

Science is constantly working hard to catch up, but the body knows how to rebalance itself better than any doctor or therapist. Bowen is a gentle naturopathic bodywork technique that stimulates this self-healing/rebalancing mechanism with impressive results. Read more about Bowen and my services here https://reclaimyourhealth.co.uk/about-bowen-therapy/

In fascia-based therapies like Bowen, we often talk about the body’s innate intelligence - but science is catching up with language the body already knows.

The insula, a small but powerful part of the brain, is activated by touch and helps us interpret the inner world: not just sensation, but emotion, connection, and presence.

This is why gentle, intentional therapeutic touch can go beyond pain relief by restoring regulation and wellbeing at a deeper level.

—
Quote by Robert Schleip, Fascia, Interoception and the Nervous System