National Days Archives - Lifelab Testing

Category: National Days

Say Goodbye to Bloating: Is It an Allergy or Intolerance?

Posted on by Dr. Joseph Nightingale, MBBS, MSc

Repeated episodes of bloating can indicate an underlying condition. It’s not just swallowing air or drinking fizzy drinks. The underlying cause is likely a particular food. The problem? Well, several conditions can cause such a reaction, including allergies and intolerances.

The symptoms of food allergies and intolerances can overlap. You may notice bloating, rashes, feeling generally unwell, and more. How do you differentiate between allergy vs intolerance? And how do you treat each condition? Find out below.

Understanding Allergy vs Intolerance

What is an Allergy?

An allergy is an immediate immune system reaction to a trigger. Usually, the body flags certain components of the food, e.g., a protein, as a threat to the body, launching a full immune response. This leads to symptoms such as:

  • Respiratory: Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, coughing.
  • Skin: Hives, itching, swelling.
  • Digestive: Nausea, diarrhoea, pain.
  • Severe: Throat swelling, breathing difficulty (emergency).

Symptoms appear within seconds or minutes of exposure to the allergen. In severe cases, a person may experience anaphylaxis – a dangerous, life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

What is an Intolerance?

An intolerance is another immune response triggered by exposure to a certain foodstuff. Unlike an allergy, which causes symptoms acutely, intolerances usually manifest over hours or days. The symptoms are rarely life-threatening and can be hard to detect. They include:

  • Digestive: Bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain.
  • Skin: Rashes, itching.
  • General: Fatigue, headaches, irritability, muscle aches, joint pain.

The term intolerance can be used for the inability to digest a particular food substance, e.g., lactose intolerance. Such reactions are not caused by the immune system and are a separate category. Immune-related intolerances are linked to leaky gut syndrome, food additives, chronic inflammation, and sensitivity to certain natural or added chemicals.

Comparing Allergies vs Intolerances

Struggling to understand the differences between allergies and intolerances? It’s not as complicated as it sounds. The key differences are the reaction time, symptoms, and underlying mechanisms. Look at this comparison table for reference:

AspectAllergiesIgG-Mediated Intolerances
DefinitionImmune system reaction involving IgE antibodies.Immune system response involving IgG antibodies.
Reaction TimeImmediate (minutes to hours).Delayed (hours to days).
SymptomsSneezing, hives, swelling, breathing difficulties, anaphylaxis.Fatigue, headaches, digestive discomfort, joint pain, muscle aches.
SeverityCan be life-threatening (e.g., anaphylaxis).Non-life-threatening but can significantly impact quality of life.
TriggersSpecific proteins in foods, pollen, or other allergens.Specific food proteins or components.

Remember, intolerances are more systemic and diffuse than allergies. It’s common for allergies to cause swelling and discomfort at any contact sites. In comparison, intolerances require digestion before the symptoms begin to develop.

Is Bloating Caused By an Allergy or Intolerance?

Bloating is usually caused by an intolerance. If you consume a food allergen, the reaction would be instantaneous. You would notice throat and lip swelling, a red urticarial rash (hives), coughing, and much more. In contrast, intolerances commonly cause gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort.

Symptoms like bloating occur due to several factors. These include fluid retention, delayed gut transit time, and even excessive gas production, as the gut bacteria ferment the undigested food. This is part of the reason why bloating and other symptoms take longer to appear for intolerances.

An allergy is an immediate immune system reaction to a trigger

Testing for Allergy vs Intolerance

Allergies and intolerances might both be triggered by the immune system. However, the underlying mechanisms are different. Allergies are typically associated with IgE antibodies, which are diagnostic signs. On the other hand, intolerances are linked to the IgG4 antibodies. Each of these antibodies is specific to a particular trigger.

This key difference allows us to detect your allergies and intolerances via a blood test. The Complete Body Test by Life Lab Testing, for example, analyses a small blood sample for IgE and IgG4 antibodies related to 38 allergens and 79 intolerances. These range from almonds, rice, and wheat to mustard, oats, and tomatoes. The results provide a helpful insight into what’s going wrong with your diet.

Alongside the test results, you have a free consultation with a Nutritional Therapist. They’ll help you understand the results, advising on the best strategies to optimise your diet and minimise symptoms.

Managing Allergies and Intolerances

So, you’re dealing with frequent bloating or a similar symptom? If you’ve taken the Complete Body Test, you know what the underlying cause is. But how do you manage your condition? Well, the treatment is usually the same – avoid the trigger food.

There’s no cure for either allergies or intolerances. Lifelong avoidance of the trigger food is the only preventative measure. That being said, some medications can relieve an allergic reaction.

  • Antihistamines, such as loratadine (Claritin) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can minimise the symptoms of an acute reaction as histamine is behind the majority of symptoms. Taking an antihistamine if you believe you might be exposed to an allergen is a sensible option.
  • Adrenaline autoinjectors (EpiPens) are reserved for severe reactions. If you suspect you’re experiencing anaphylaxis, injecting the EpiPen can save your life. It prevents the worst symptoms from occurring, e.g., not being able to breathe.

Unfortunately, there is no similar treatment for intolerance. Some people argue that by tackling the underlying triggers, you can reduce or even eliminate symptoms. For example, if a leaky gut is causing chronic inflammation, resolving this issue may reduce your immune reaction to certain foods. However, research is limited and ongoing.

Hosting an Allergy-Friendly Christmas Dinner: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Dr. Joseph Nightingale, MBBS, MSc

Inviting all your family and friends for Christmas dinner is always fun, if a little exhausting. People expect the turkey, roast potatoes, and veggies. But it’s not that simple. Some people like beef as well as turkey, others consider Brussell sprouts the worst vegetables, and then, there are people with food allergies.

Unlike simple food preferences, allergies come with a higher risk. Even preparing the foods together carries the risk of an allergic reaction. Dealing with this problem can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to.

With the right tips and tricks, you can host an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and festivities (and without the stress). Here’s how.

Consider the Biggest Allergy Risks

What foods pose the biggest allergy risks? Some are obvious. If a vegetarian requests a nut roast, it’s likely to be a risk to anyone with nut allergies. Unfortunately, not all Christmas-related allergies are so obvious. Here are some to consider:

  • Nuts – Desserts, stuffing, nut roasts, oils.
  • Gluten – Stuffing, bread, gravy, desserts.
  • Dairy – Potatoes, sauces, desserts, chocolates.
  • Eggs – Puddings, cakes, custards.
  • Shellfish – Prawn cocktails, seafood starters.
  • Alcohol – Sauces, puddings, trifles.
  • Soy – Processed foods, gravies, desserts.
  • Sesame – Bread, crackers, spreads.
  • Mustard – Sauces, dressings, marinades.
  • Celery – Soups, stocks, stuffing.
  • Fish – Sauces, pâtés.
  • Sulphites – Dried fruits, wines, processed foods.
  • Chocolate – Milk, nuts, soy.
  • Meat Substitutes – Nuts, soy, gluten.
  • Coconut – Vegan dishes, desserts.

Remember, these are just the food-based allergens. Anyone with an alcohol sensitivity should be aware of certain chocolate and hidden forms of alcohol. Meanwhile, even the Christmas Tree can trigger asthma flare-ups and other respiratory allergies (known as “Christmas Tree Syndrome”).

Ask Your Guests

Nobody knows their allergies like your guests. If you’re struggling to remember who’s allergic to what, send an email or message asking them to RSVP with their dietary requirements. You could also ask for recipe ideas.

For example, if someone has a dairy allergy, you could ask for their dairy-free mashed potatoes recipe (or just stick with roasts). Your guests will have a clear idea of what they can and can’t eat, providing helpful advice and recipes to follow. It’s just one more weight off your mind.

Think About Your Food Prep

Hosting an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner is 80% prep and 20% action. One of the biggest risks to people with allergies is cross-contamination. It involves other foods coming into contact with the allergen due to residues on utensils and surfaces – even sharing an oven can be a risk.

Plan out your meal ahead of time. Ask yourself what needs to go in the oven and when. During the prep stages, it’s also important to be strict about using different chopping boards and knives to prepare allergen-free food. Keep a bowl of hot, soapy water ready to wash the surfaces and utensils immediately after preparing the trigger food.

Bring Your Own Food

Still struggling to come up with ideas for an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner? Or maybe you’ve planned the logistics and realised it’s impossible to cook everything without risking contamination? Whatever the reason, don’t be afraid to ask guests to bring their own dishes. After all, it’s only likely to be one or two things they can’t eat.

You can rest easy knowing the allergy aspect is covered, letting you concentrate on getting the rest of the dinner right for everyone else. It also means that you don’t have to do two versions of certain dishes. This is also the best option if there are two or more allergies at your Christmas dinner table.

Be Wary of Dessert

Dessert is something of a minefield – and one that gets forgotten. If you’re focused on cooking an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner, it’s easy to forget about the allergy risks in the puddings. Everything from Christmas pudding to the humble mince pie can pose a risk.

Eggs, chocolate, nuts, gluten, and more are all present in Christmas desserts. Plus, there are the niche ingredients you don’t see throughout the year. Always read the labels on desserts carefully. The allergens should be listed in bold writing.

If you’re making your own, that simplifies things. You can find allergy-free recipes of all the Christmas favourites online.

Take an Allergy Test

Hosting an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be stressful. The secret to success lies in understanding specific triggers for you or your guests. The Essential Allergy Test from Lifelab Testing is designed to identify reactions to 38 common allergens, including dairy, nuts, eggs, gluten, and more.

This easy-to-use home testing kit provides reliable insights by analysing a small blood sample. You’ll receive detailed results within just 3–5 days, allowing you to plan your festive feast with confidence. Knowing which allergens to avoid helps reduce the risk of reactions and ensures everyone can enjoy the festivities worry-free.

Why leave things to chance? Take control of your holiday planning today and make this Christmas safe, inclusive, and memorable for everyone at the table.

Make Your Health Your Black Friday Priority

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

As the world prepares for Black Friday, shoppers also start planning how to pick their deals. Black Friday sales are everywhere, and figuring out how to make the best of it can be challenging. If you want to avoid the basic holiday and tech sales, why not shop for your health? Health-based shopping has many benefits if you want to do what’s best for your body and general health all year. Below, you’ll learn about the availability of complete allergy and intolerance testing and how it, along with other options, can give you a health-based Black Friday shopping spree!

Why should you prioritise your health?

Let’s start with the most basic question you should ask yourself right now. Why should health be at the top of your shopping list when you could buy the newest tablet or headphones instead? It’s a fair question, after all. There are a few reasons, it turns out.

Diet relates to our health

This is an obvious statement, perhaps, but important when deciding between health-based purchases and “just because” purchases. A balanced diet is essential for good physical and mental health. Since many of us find we have to compromise at some points on both or either of these focuses, take the time and effort now to prioritise your health when planning your focus for Black Friday sales.

Our bodies are hard to understand sometimes

Another reason to consider something health-based during this shopping season is to get more in the know about what’s happening in your body. One of the most exciting details about the complete body testing results is that you get concrete data about what your body is doing. This information will help you better understand your body’s needs, likes, and dislikes.

The other feature is that it’s hard to understand what our bodies do not need or want (such as food intolerances). We don’t know what’s happening until we feel the effects of the wrong choice. This can greatly impact our overall well-being, and it’s easily fixed with the proper support.

How to make your health a priority

With that in mind, let’s look at just how to keep your health a priority daily, and also when it comes to your approach to life. For the most part, it comes down to understanding what good health means for you! You can take several approaches to it.

Try a basic allergy test

If you’re curious about possibly having allergies, try our Essential Allergy Test. This is a great starting point to see if you have mild, moderate, or severe allergies to many food or environmental elements you don’t know about!

Take a look at our basic intolerance test

Did you know you can have a food intolerance and not even know it? Food intolerances can create a lot of mysterious symptoms that have real impacts on our daily lives. Consider a Essential Intolerance Test if you want to learn more about your body.

Get the full picture with a complete body test

You can work seamlessly with your body by getting to know it detail by detail with a complete body test. This is a wonderful way to understand what’s going on with your body from head to toe and make any adjustments to help you feel at your best in the future.

Make health a group thing

We are social creatures, so doing things as a “pack” is a great way to make a positive change easier, especially at first. This could be meal planning, adding exercise, focusing on mental health activities, etc. Regardless, doing it with a trusted friend or family member is a great way to help make the change stick and build a stronger relationship and bond with the person you’re doing it with! Plus, it also helps them have a companion on a journey to a healthy future. So, it’s a win-win!

Understand what your body needs

You can put your health at the forefront of your life simply by taking the time to “translate” your body’s needs or wants into a language you can understand. This is what comprehensive testing does. It gives you precise data to help you know what you can and should do to adjust your diet and take the best care of your body daily and long-term.

Top tips for healthy Black Friday shopping

Now, all that’s left is to sort out how you want to go shopping with your best health in mind. It doesn’t need to be hard, thankfully. You’ll want to do your shopping research in advance. Sometimes, Black Friday sales seem good but create hype over something that isn’t as good as it promises. Pick brands and products that you trust.

For Black Friday we’re offering up to 15% off on our allergy and intolerance tests when you use the code BFHEALTH15 at checkout. Get the most out of your savings by signing up for alerts from those top health brands and products you want so you don’t miss out on the deal!

Your health is easy to care for with the tips, tools, and Black Friday sales to help you! The next step is to start researching and shopping to give yourself a wonderful, thoughtful gift that will last long after the sale season ends!

Take Charge of Your Health During World Food Safety Day

Posted on by Dr. Joseph Nightingale, MBBS, MSc

World Food Safety Day highlights the importance of food security and quality, promoting sound practices and reducing the burden of foodborne diseases globally. Food safety is all about the shared responsibility between governments, producers, and consumers.

Throughout much of the world, food safety means diseases and contamination. However, in Western nations, most of these problems have either been solved or reduced. The problem here is the rising wave of allergies and food sensitivities. It’s an underreported issue.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to take charge of this issue, from dietary adjustments to food sensitivity testing.

What is World Food Safety Day?

World Food Safety Day, observed annually on June 7th, aims to raise awareness about food safety and encourage actions to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, it is jointly facilitated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The day underscores the importance of food safety in ensuring food security and promoting good health.

Prevent, Detect, And Manage Foodborne Risks

The UN often uses the date to raise awareness about a particular topic, such as ‘Safe Food Now for a Healthy Tomorrow.’ However, it also serves as a general conversation starter, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and educating the wider public.

Indeed, World Food Safety Day is a fantastic opportunity to understand more about your health.

Taking Charge of Your Health

Sometimes, when we talk about health, we talk about things that happen to us, as if we’re a passive partner in the relationship. If we feel unwell, tired, or bloated, we chalk up to the way things are.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Exercise, good sleep, and a nutritious diet are the building blocks of health and well-being. Taking charge of your health means eating responsibly and making time to be active. But some people find even with the right diet and fitness regimen, they still feel… off.

Something else is going on. Being proactive with your health isn’t just about the basics. It’s about identifying symptoms and diagnosing problems – even vague, systemic symptoms like tiredness, bloating, or brain fog. They could be indicators of an underlying allergy or food sensitivity.

Understanding Allergies and Food Sensitivities

Food allergies and sensitivities are increasingly common, particularly in Western nations where other food safety issues are better controlled. Why this is happening isn’t fully understood. Various theories, ranging from antibiotic overuse to pesticides, have been suggested.

But what do we mean by food allergies and sensitivities? Let’s explain:

  1. Allergies involve the immune system reacting to certain foods, causing symptoms like hives, swelling, and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. Common allergens include nuts, shellfish, and dairy.
  2. Food sensitivities, or intolerances, are generally less severe and involve the digestive system. Symptoms can include bloating, gas, and fatigue, with common triggers being lactose and gluten.

While allergies are much more obvious, food sensitivities can be surprisingly subtle. It’s only after the symptoms subside that the person wonders how they ever lived with such tiredness or bloating.

Getting Tested

Food sensitivity tests can help pinpoint specific intolerances, while allergy tests can identify immune responses to certain foods. Keeping a food diary and noting reactions can also aid in identifying problems. However, without the results from food sensitivity tests, it’s hard to interpret the patterns. After all, symptoms of food sensitivities can take up to 48 hours to appear.

Once identified, managing these conditions typically involves eliminating or reducing the intake of the offending foods and finding suitable alternatives to maintain a balanced diet.

Perform a Complete Body Checkup

Want to know what’s going on inside your body? If you’ve noticed some unusual symptoms but can’t pinpoint the cause, consider taking the Complete Body Test. It tests for 38 allergens and 79 intolerances – including foods and inhalants – to give you a comprehensive picture of your body’s health.

Thanks to the complete list of tested items, it’s the best way to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Getting tested is simple. When you purchase a test kit, we’ll send you everything you need to send a sample. Once we’ve received the sample, we’ll perform an expert analysis and send you the results within a week.

Alongside the results, you’ll receive a free 30-minute consultation with a nutritional therapist. You can clarify your results and ask questions about changing your diet. It’s personalised healthcare at its finest.

So, if you’ve experienced symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, headaches, swelling, rashes, itchiness, or diarrhoea, try the Complete Body Test today.

Did You Celebrate Dry January?

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Let’s face it. Most of us enjoy a nice drink in the evenings after a meal. Whether it’s a hard day at work or socialising with loved ones, enjoying a glass of wine or a nightcap is a great enjoyment. So, with that in mind, why would you consider Dry January? It sounds like a month of deprivation, right? In reality, Dry January can be a great way to connect to your body and enjoy a stronger sense of self. Plus, it can be just the motivation to order liver function testing to better understand your body’s needs. Are you curious to know more? Read on!

What is Dry January?

This popular month-long event is exactly what it sounds like. It’s committing to enjoying an alcohol-free month from January 1-31. And don’t worry if you’re interested in trying it out but are partially through the month – you can join the challenge anytime. It isn’t too late!

What are the benefits of Dry January?

One of the most exciting things about Dry January is that it has many benefits! Many are often surprised with just how many dry January advantages there are! Take a look at some of the best ones and see for yourself.

Improved sleep

Many people rely on alcohol to help them sleep, but the reality is that alcohol can create or worsen sleep issues! Going dry for January can help reset your body and mind, leading to better sleep. In fact, about 70% of participants in Dry January note that they have better sleep throughout the month!

Mental health benefits

For one reason or another, those with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions often rely on alcohol as part of a treatment plan. Interestingly, going dry in January can improve mental health in the short and long term.

Saved money and time

Fact about dry January

Another genuine benefit after a stressful and expensive holiday season is that skipping out on alcohol can save money in a noticeable way. Approximately 86% of participants in Dry January reported saving money, even if they still went out and had a classic social life — just alcohol-free. Many save time, too, which can be a bonus for helping yourself start the new year off just right.

A rebounding body

Alcohol can put a lot of stress on our bodies, especially if we drink regularly, even in moderate amounts. After Dry January, many participants notice improved skin and hair health. Others notice weight loss to the point that clothes fit differently. When you combine that with a proactive approach to health through liver function testing, eating whole foods, and exercising, those benefits stretch even further!

There is even more data to support that. Physically, going alcohol-free can also lower blood pressure and glucose levels and reduce cholesterol. Then, there’s the impressive difference in liver fat content—more on that next.

The role of liver fat and liver health

Liver fat content has a lot to do with liver health in the long term. Short-term and long-term alcohol habits can cause fat build-up in the liver. Those participating in Dry January could experience up to 40% liver fat loss, which is terrific. A fatty liver can lead to fatty liver disease, which is often symptom-free.

A key part of understanding what’s going on with your liver is to consider liver function testing, especially if you drink regularly. Understanding where your liver health is at can help you contact a specialist and understand what changes you can make to better provide for your liver, it’s health, and your general overall well-being. Liver fat can be reversed by making short-term and long-term changes to your diet and drinking habits!

Your liver depends on you

Your liver is a vital organ, and it can be easily damaged without you knowing it. That’s why Dry January is a great celebration to consider when you want to take proactive steps to better your liver health.

Many people feel that they have to justify the reason they are participating in Dry January, but the reality is that you don’t need an excuse. Participating in this great challenge is not only just about reducing your alcohol consumption. It’s also an opportunity to meet new people, bond with those doing the challenge with you, and push yourself and your body to a newer, better form! Isn’t that reason enough?

Whether this is your first time hearing of Dry January, or you’ve just been waiting for an excuse to give it a try, why not commit today to the rest of January being alcohol-free? You might be surprised at how much it changes your life in tangible and intangible ways!

For other ways to improve your health, why not check out our testing options here?

A List Of Nutritional New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

If you make a New Year’s resolution, it’s supposed to be one that changes your life for the better. It can be big, small, or somewhere in the middle. If you want to make this year’s resolution the best, you can start by looking at these nutritional New Year’s resolutions. These are designed to help you look at your body’s health potential in a new and unique light! You’ll learn about fad diets and the potential of fun in physical exercise. We’ll also talk about the role of complete body testing and the benefits of planning a menu for the year to come. We also discuss preventative health and how that can factor into your goals for this year.

Practical and nutritional New Year’s resolutions

A New Year’s resolution is a great idea, even if you feel slightly intimidated. Many people will assume it needs to be a huge, sweeping change that modifies every part of their life, but it doesn’t. It needs to be a focused, practical change that will improve your life daily and long term. To help you understand what that could look like, we’ve compiled a list of health-based resolutions to start you off.

Find a suitable diet for you

Many of us make resolutions about eating better, which is great! Some will rely on the current “fad diet” because it can help the follower lose weight quickly. While these diets can be exciting and offer short-term weight loss, they are not often sustainable long-term. If dieting is your resolution for this year, focus on a long-term diet change. This change will have the best chance of providing you with long-term weight loss at a healthy rate of 0.9 kg per week.

Try a series of fun physical exercise activities

There’s a myth floating around out there that unless you are a fitness junkie, physical exercise for weight loss can’t be fun. Realistically speaking, all physical activity — even the fun stuff — has health benefits. If you love to swim, 20-30 minutes of swimming in a pool is a great activity. If you love to dance, many dance-based workouts are great for your fitness goals. Fun exercises are easier to maintain, too, which is another crucial aspect to consider.

Another component is simply spending time outside can improve your health. It can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve mood. Try to factor in outside-based activities as often as possible!

Design a menu of whole foods

There is a lot of science to back up the benefits of whole foods. Eating a diet rich in whole foods is one of the easiest ways to improve your overall health. Eating whole foods is also more sustainable than other types of diets that can help you lose weight. If you are new to whole foods, consider complete body testing as part of your plan. This can help you learn about any potential food sources to avoid if you have allergies or intolerances!

A fun way to transition into whole foods is to design a menu where one meal a week has whole foods. Once you get that down, add a second meal, and so on. Don’t forget to rank the foods you eat so that you know what you like and dislike the most!

Do one preventative health thing per month

Let’s be clear: making nutritional New Year’s resolutions will always be good. If you are in a place where there are things you can do to care for your health preventatively, add that to your list! If you suspect you have intolerances or allergies but have never had testing done, make room for complete body testing. If you have a family history of poor muscle tone in later years, focus on strength-training workouts to help keep yourself as strong as possible for as long as possible. Anything that you do is going to help. Prevention is always the best approach for health, and small daily steps can help you make significant differences to long-term, future health!

Don’t forget to celebrate your achievements

If you’ve got a solid list of nutritional New Year’s resolutions, that’s great! There is one more thing that you can do to add some extra success to your upcoming year. This is to celebrate milestones on the way to achieving your yearly goal. Celebrating important milestones is an essential way to help you see what great progress you’re making along the way, and it helps motivate you to keep on your health journey even after a bad day.

You can achieve your health goals in many ways throughout the year. When you see the variety in this list, it’s reassuring to know that this journey doesn’t have to be hard, boring, or frustrating. It’s just about coming at nutrition from a realistic point of view and finding simple, practical ways to add better nutrition to your daily life! Remember our allergy and intolerance tests are here to help you this year!

Your Guide to Healthy Christmas Presents

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Getting the perfect gift for someone doesn’t have to be a mystery. It doesn’t even have to be difficult. You just need to know what to look for in your focus and your choice. Are you hunting for healthy Christmas presents for a loved one? If so, you’ll love the idea of getting them something personalized yet broad enough to give them a benefit, no matter their health-based lifestyle. Below, we’ll show you how complete body testing fits the bill perfectly and why it is the ultimate choice in your guide to healthy Christmas shopping.

Health and the body

Let’s dive a little bit into how you can look at health. For most of us, health involves diet and fitness. It often focuses on physical and mental health. This is true, of course, but it also goes beyond that. Health is a multifaceted part of our lives that deserves a multifaceted approach for the best result. Sometimes, the best ideas come from circumstances you might not normally consider.

Health is always a daily adventure, but you must also play the long game. The better care you take of yourself now, the better your life expectancy is about health issues and conditions. The habits that someone sets in their younger years (regardless of their age) will lead them into a future where those habits come into being. The better the habit, the better the future! Health is a fine example of this.

So, gifting healthy Christmas presents to someone with complete body testing can help them take the first step toward an in-depth look at how their body is doing. This prompts them to make changes daily to help them enjoy easier and healthier lifestyles. As you’ve likely heard before, the better you take care of your body, the better it can take care of you!

The benefits of gifting health to someone

If you like the sound of that, let’s dive deeper into what it means to literally give health to someone. These intangible benefits are impressive and brimming with positivity. Take a look and see for yourself.

Benefits Of Gifting Health Over Christmas

Help protects against diabetes, dementia, heart disease

Taking care of your health daily, weekly, and so on helps reduce the likelihood of developing chronic conditions. Some of the most common ones include diabetes, dementia, and heart disease. While no test or lifestyle can 100% guarantee protection from these health conditions forever, preventative care can help reduce their likelihood! This is especially great for those with genetic predispositions.

Can reduce the likelihood of fractures

Our bones naturally start to weaken with age. This can lead to fractures and complex fractures that require surgery and recovery. The stronger you keep your bones through a good diet and exercise, the better your likelihood of staying safe from fractures. Good health goes a long way to protect your body in those later, more vulnerable years!

Can reduce falls

Another wonderful, tangible benefit is that taking a daily approach to health means keeping muscle tone up. The stronger those muscles are, the better someone’s overall physical health will be. Keeping muscle tone as strong as possible helps prevent falls from weak joints or muscles or poor balance. This is especially great for those on your shopping list who love independence!

Testing helps them remember their priorities

When you see all of those benefits to good health, it’s simple to see why it makes such a great gift. There is another great facet to this gift idea, too. It helps your loved one remember what is most important in their life. Getting complete body testing helps them see how their bodies are doing in “real-time.” It also shows them how to take as best care of themselves as possible. Both allergies and intolerances are difficult to self-diagnose. So, the test results can help exclude and identify the reactions.

There are many different types of healthy Christmas presents that you can get for someone you love. Testing is a great choice, but you can combine that with something more tangible. For example, a cookbook for healthy, delicious meals. Or, a fitness program that you can do with them so that you both make positive changes in your lives.

One of the most exciting details about giving health to someone is that there are a million ways you can go about it and a million combinations. This will help you see how much flexibility you have when holiday shopping, and you’ll be in the perfect position to get the truly perfect gift for those special people in your life. Grab your test from Lifelab today