THALASSOTHERAPY: WHY OUR SKIN AND BONES NEED IT

WHAT IS THALASSOTHERAPY?

Have you ever heard of the fascinating benefits of the sea?

Thalassotherapy originates from the ancient Greek words “Thalassa” which means sea and “therapeia” which means treatment.

It is said that since ancient times, Greeks, Romans and Egyptians knew the properties of the marine climate, and that they used it for healing purposed.

Thalassotherapy takes advantage of sea salinity as an adjuvant for the treatment of various pathologies which, for example, are linked to:

● Skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, erythema, dermatitis, but it can also cure imperfections of the skin like cellulitis.

● Pathologies of the respiratory system: sinusitis, colds, bronchitis, catarrhal disturbs, cough, and inflammatory diseases;

● Osteoarticular and muscular pathologies, both rheumatic and traumatic;

Seawater is considered the most complete mineral water as it contains almost all the elements that exist in nature. It has a revitalizing, cleansing, and antibacterial action.

WHY IS SEAWATER GOOD FOR THE SKIN?

Our skin mirrors our body, it is constantly exposed to stress and tension; there is a very dense pattern of nervous terminations that affect sebaceous glands, sweat glands, keratinocytes (the most external cells), and hair.

Seawater is beneficial for those who suffer from atopic and seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Seawater has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, it is a disinfectant for acne, but it is also hydrating on dry skin.

It calms itchiness and wounds, it disinfects and favours the regeneration of skin affected by psoriasis. On one hand it purifies oily skin, on the other it strengthens dry skin by stimulating the production of magnesium.

Every kind of psychological stress causes nervous shocks to the skin. For example, people that suffer from acne have skin that deteriorates visibly when under pressure because the skin is more affected by nerve stimulation.

WHY IS SEAWATER GOOD FOR THE BONES?

Diving into water, going for long swims and doing physical activity in seawater has numerous benefits on our bones.

This way, water will help maintain muscle tone, toning leg muscles, without overloads or sudden strain. It is indicated for those who suffer from joint pain, arthrosis, and back pain as well.

This is because water supports the body by reducing part of its weight and having the muscles do the work without being damaging thanks to water friction.

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HOW LACTIC ACID BACTERIA AFFECT OUR BODY

WHAT DO LACTIC ACID BACTERIA DO?

Lactic acid bacteria are said to have a potential protective effect for the human body, thanks to their protective activity on the gut bacterial flora.

Lactic acid bacteria can settle feebly in the gut, partly preventing the proliferation of pathogenic bacterial strains. The “strengthened” bacterial flora would thus have beneficial effects on the body as a whole, thanks to the possible positive consequences on the immune system.

They are commonly, but inaccurately, called “live” lactic acid bacteria, associated with the entire group of lactic bacteria, bacterial strains involved in milk fermentation and lactose metabolism.

Even though there are different kinds of bacteria that can metabolize lactose, only a few of them are able to fulfil beneficial processes for humans. Lactic acid bacteria that can fulfil beneficial processes for human health are called “probiotics”.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVE LACTIC ACID BACTERIA AND PROBIOTICS?

Probiotics are a specific kind of bacteria or physiological yeast (that is, naturally occurring in the gut) which are selected and reproduced in cultures.

They are the ones commonly found in supplements, or in certain reinforced foods of human origin and resistant to digestive action. When taken orally and on an empty stomach they can reach the gut intact, where they can reproduce themselves, therefore improving its health.

These lactic acid bacteria, if introduced through foods like yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, certain soft cheeses, etc., are mostly eliminated by the gastric barrier because of its high acidic pH level. They are used to balance gut functions, to strengthen the immune system, and to counteract the collateral effects of antibiotics drugs. Moreover, probiotics are commonly prescribed as therapeutic “support” in case of digestive disorders.

To summarize, the difference between probiotics and live lactic acid bacteria is that the former are still alive inside the gut, while the latter, once swallowed, do not survive the passage from the stomach to the intestine, although they still help maintain balance in the gut bacterial flora.

IN WHAT WAY DO THEY EFFECTIVELY INFLUENCE OUR HEALTH?

Lactic acid bacteria are very important for the functions of the bacterial flora, and they additionally provide:

● Resistance: when our body is targeted by viruses and infections, and we take antibiotics for too long;

● A barrier: when certain gastric acids attack our body, causing vomit and weakening us;

● Temperature regulation: when dysentery related flus alter our body temperature.

They seemingly play a certain role in diminishing cholesterol levels in blood and in improving the symptomatology of food allergies.

Discover how Palazzo Fiuggi will program and create the correct combination of a healthy diet and the effectiveness of lactic acid bacteria for your gut bacterial flora. Read this article to learn more.

OMEGA-3: THE FIVE Ws TO UNDERSTAND ITS BENEFITS

These five questions represent the key points to better understand the benefits of vitamin F, or Omega-3.

Here are the FIVE Ws:

1. WHAT

2. WHO

3. WHERE

4. WHEN

5. WHY

WHAT IS OMEGA-3?

Vitamin F, or Omega-3, is a combination of two essential fatty acids (EFA), linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, with the addition of arachidonic acid. It is a particularly important nutrient, as it is a liposoluble vitamin, which cannot be synthesized in the body and therefore must come from food. The body releases it in small doses when its use is deemed necessary.

However, there are many unsaturated polyunsaturated fatty acids with more than one double bond, which all fall under the definition of Omega-3. More specifically, three of them are labelled as essential and semi-essential. Respectively:

• Alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) is essential, because the body cannot synthesize it on its own

• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) semi-essential – because the body can produce it in quantities limited by the ALA – but it is biologically more active than the previous one

• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) semi-essential – because the body can produce it in quantities limited by the ALA and the EPA – but it is the most biologically active.

Their role is fundamental, both in the development phase of the embryo/foetus and in infant growth, but also in the metabolism and in the prevention of several pathologies.

WHO GETS OMEGA-3?

This vitamin is suitable for children right from the first years of their life, but it is especially recommended for pregnant women, as their need for Omega-3 increases to deal with the needs of the foetus, who needs them for the proper development of the central nervous system and the eyes; it is also recommended for women who breastfeed. Omega-3 requirements are especially high during the baby’s first two years of life, for the same reason: providing what the nervous system and the eyes need. Everybody can get Omega-3s, which are fundamental for our body but always in a moderate amount and paired with a proper diet.

WHERE DOES IT ACT AND WHEN TO GET OMEGA-3?

To satisfy your body’s need for Omega-3 you should rely on your diet. Foods that are rich in Omega-3 are very different from one another.

Among the vegetable sources we have dried fruit (specifically nuts, almonds are not as effective), flax seeds and flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, soy, soybean oil, chia seeds and leafy green vegetables.

The most important animal sources are fish (like salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, or trout, carp, mullet), fish oil or cod liver oil.

However, not all Omega-3 sources provide their biologically active form; luckily, there are food supplements that help these kinds of situations. It has a strengthening action in several organs of the body, especially protecting the heart. Omega-3s are allies in case of different conditions and pathologies, such as:

• Reduction of triglycerides levels in the blood after meals and on an empty stomach;

• Increase of the so called “good” cholesterol (HDL, High Density Lipoproteins);

Antithrombotic properties which could help reduce the risk of severe cardiovascular events (like heart attacks and strokes)

• Antiarrhythmic effect

• Anti-inflammatory action that might help fight hypertension by influencing artery dilation, especially during the third age.

WHY IS OMEGA-3 IMPORTANT, WHAT DOES IT PREVENT?

If taken regularly, vitamin F will have a positive impact on the body and on its natural course, for example by preventing cardiovascular diseases and various disorders. The team of Palazzo Fiuggi is familiar with the importance of a healthy, proper diet for the well-being of the body.

Omega-3 is a very important vitamin for our health and it has real effects on our body, if included in a balanced diet in the correct amount. In fact, a multidisciplinary team of experts studies a customized meal plan for every customer, with biological and biodynamic ingredients, produced through sustainable agriculture.

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