360° optimal health
A health programme designed to support you to long-term optimal health
To achieve this we focus on 3 areas vital for your health:
Your Hormone Health
Hormones are powerful chemicals and extremely important, they help regulate our heart rate, metabolism, appetite, blood sugar levels, mineral balance, digestion, reproduction, growth, mood and sleep. If one of your hormones is sub-optimal then this can impact the harmony of your overall 360 health. Amchara’s advanced tests can measure all of your key hormones to discover exactly where any health problem might lie.
Your Genetics
While we can’t control our genes, we can affect their expression – whether they’re likely to get “switched on” or “off”. This is referred to as ‘genetic expression’ and is strongly shaped by our environment. If we know you have a genetic manifestation that suggests you are susceptible to weight gain or a disease, then our approach is that you bathe those genes in goodness and reduce your risk of disease or aid recovery. Your test with Amchara will provide a deep analysis of your genetic make-up and your gene expression.
Your Gut Health
Normally chronic health conditions stem from the gut. We regard gut-health as a vital cornerstone for the foundation of complete optimal health. We can offer you the opportunity to have a highly comprehensive test that analyses your digestive tract to objectively evaluate the status of your gut health and identify contributing factors to gastrointestinal complaints and other chronic health conditions.
These 3 parts can work individually or collaboratively and with this information we are able to create a personalised health plan tailored to your health needs and health goals.
Your personalised health plan
To support you to achieve 360 ̊ optimal health we operate a series of functional tests and produce you a personalised plan tailored to your needs and goals. These advanced tests include urine, saliva, blood and stool analysis. Your samples are sent to our partner laboratories and give us you unique ‘fingerprint’ of health helping us to form your personalised plan.
We support the analysis of these tests with our skilled functional medicine practitioners.
The advanced tests that we work with are not readily available on the NHS. The tests we do offer would only normally be available in the NHS from; endroconologists for hormone health, gastro-intestinal consultants for gut health and Geneticist for genetic health. It would normally take you months or years to become ‘ill enough’ to be referred to these experts.
We combine naturopathic principles with functional medicine.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a private health model that is the future of health for the 21st Century.
Functional medicine tackles the underlying causes of disease and poor health. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. Conventional medicine tends to have a disease-centred focus. However functional medicine, the medical basis for Personalised Health, addresses not just a set of symptoms seen in isolation but the whole, unique person offering a more patient-centred approach.
Some people have deeper complications that need even more testing and understanding but for most people this is enough. If we can support you and personalise this support for you then this creates the foundation for good long-term health, excellent longevity and very low risk of disease.
Health optimisation
Our 360 ̊ health programme is designed to support you to long-term, optimal health. We aim to empower you to increase your longevity and quality of life, reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s and also to reduce the risk of heart attacks.
To achieve this we focus on 3 areas vital for your health: your hormone health, including the endocrine system and your adrenals, your thyroid and main sex hormones, your genetics and your digestive tract.
Gut Health
“All disease begins in the gut”
Hippocrates
…so therefore health must begin in the gut too
Normally chronic health conditions stem from the gut. We regard gut-health as a vital cornerstone for foundation of complete health, 40% of adults in the UK present with IBS in their lifetime.
People say we are what we eat, this is not quite true. We are in-fact what we assimilate (absorb).
Over the last decade our understanding of gut health and the importance of a healthy microbiome has accelerated. Even genetic diseases can be affected by the balance of our gut bacteria since this influences the way our genes are expressed.
Compromised gut health is associated with:
Poor immunity • Increased risk of cancer Fatigue • IBS • Crohn’s Disease • Systemic inflammation Autoimmune conditions • Autism • Food sensitivities • Hormonal imbalances • Skin conditions Obesity • Arthritis • Allergies
Having a healthy gut microbiome is vital for your immunity and your optimal health. Your gut hosts 70-80% of your body’s immune cells.
What happens with good gut health?
Absorption: This is the process by which the nutrients in food are passed on to the blood.
Immunity: We have around 10 trillion human cells and 100 trillion bacteria cells in our body.
Digestion: The process by which food is broken down into simple chemical compounds that can be
absorbed and used as nutrients or eliminated by the body.
Test don’t guess!
At Amchara we offer you the opportunity to have a highly comprehensive test that analyses your digestive tract to objectively evaluate the status of your gut health and identify contributing factors to gastrointestinal complaints and other chronic system conditions.
The extensive panel provides key information on the following areas:
- Parameters for digestion and absorption
- Inflammation
- Immunity
- Leaky gut
- Quality of gut microbiome
- Presence of yeast overgrowth
- Parasitic infections
- Susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents
Enquire about 360° health today!
Complete the enquiry form below and we’ll call you back.
Hormone Health
“A well-functioning endocrine system is vital to homeostasis”
Claire Mahy, 360° Wellness Expert
Good hormone health is fundamental to 360° health. If one of your hormones is sub-optimal then this can impact the harmony of your whole hormone health.
At Amchara we examine the key pillars of hormone health; the adrenal gland, thyroid gland and sex hormones. If one pillar is overloaded or weakened, then the whole structure can be compromised.
Hormone imbalances are associated with:
Fatigue • Weight gain or loss • Menstrual Irregularities • Infertility • Low libido • Depression Anxiety • Brain fog • Palpitations • Migraines • Insomnia • Skin conditions • Hair loss Digestive issues
The seven main hormones
Hormones are powerful chemicals and extremely important, they help regulate our heart rate, metabolism, appetite, blood sugar levels, mineral balance, digestion, reproduction, growth, mood and sleep.
Out of the 100 or so hormones there are seven major hormones that strongly affect how we look, feel, think and behave.
Cortisol, your stress hormone
Cortisol is a major player when it comes to helping your body cope with stress. Working closely beside it is oestrogen which plays a key role in managing cortisol so that it stays within normal levels.
Thyroid, your metabolism hormone
Insulin, your blood sugar regulator
Insulin is released from your pancreas in response to raised blood sugar levels; it works in tandem with cortisol to maintain blood sugar levels within the correct balance.
DHEA, your repair hormone
DHEA is a substance produced by the adrenal glands and used by your body to make steroid hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. It has an antagonistic influence on cortisol limiting many of its detrimental effects, thereby reducing stress, improving sleep, immune function, cardiovascular health, energy, weight, mood and mental clarity.
Oestrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, your main sex hormones
Your main sex hormones that are produced by both men and women, although in different amounts. Oestrogen is the primary female sex hormone which functions to promote growth and reproduction. It works in tandem with its sister hormone progesterone to balance and control the activities of oestrogen. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone is responsible for fat distribution, muscle and bone mass, body hair and our sex drive.
Test don’t guess!
To help you explore your hormone health Amchara offer comprehensive laboratory tests. These advanced tests can measure all of your key hormones.
These extensive panels use combinations of dried urine, saliva swabs and blood for accurate and reliable data.
This test data helps us to discover exactly where any health problem might lie and be compromising your health. From which we can personalise a plan tailored exactly for your health needs.
As part of your hormone health experience, our expert team can guide you to select the appropriate functional test for you and your health needs.
Once your tests results are returned by the biomedical labs then we can review your results and support you with a complete clinical assessment supported with an in-depth virtual consultation before forming your bespoke plan, personalised to your lifestyle and health needs.
Genetics & Epigenetics
“One man’s meat is another man’s poison”
Lucretius 1st Century BC
Nutrigenomics vs Nutrigenetics
Nutrigenomics is the study of how food and nutrients affect our gene expression. For example; how do omega 3 acids in oily fish “switch off” part of the immune system to prevent excess inflammation? Our ‘gene expression’ is impacted by what we eat. Gene expression is also called epigenetics, this is the study of how our genes respond to their environment.
Nutrigenetics is how our DNA and genetic variations affect our response to nutrients. For example; how a variation on the MTHFR gene affects our ability to use the vitamin folate – is nutrigenetics.
Knowledge of our specific nutrigenetic expression creates an opportunity to make positive changes to reduce our susceptibility to illness and disease.
Genetic expression
While we can’t control our genes, we can affect their expression — whether they’re likely to get “switched on” or “off”. This is referred to as ‘genetic expression’ and is strongly shaped by our environment. If we know you have a genetic manifestation that means you are susceptible to weight gain or a disease then our approach is that you bathe those genes in goodness and reduce your risk of disease or aid recovery.
Once we know the details of your genetic variants, then we are able to produce you a personalised lifestyle and nutritional plan. These changes can strengthen your bodies resilience to common chronic illnesses and aid recovery from some chronic disease.
Test don’t guess!
The sample collection is straightforward. A simple saliva swab is all we need. The results are sent to our partner laboratory and the comprehensive test gives us deep analysis of how your genetic make-up and your gene expression.
Once we have your results returned you will receive your comprehensive personalised report and a 1:1 consultation
The core health team at Amchara UK
We have a fantastic team of people at Amchara Somerset. From highly experienced naturopaths and health experts to executive chefs and qualified exercise instructors, we’re all here with one aim – to help you Change For Good.
Read our Trip Advisor reviews…
Amchara Somerset, UK
Amchara Gozo, Malta
“What a wonderful place. The staff are the best, continually looking after you, offering advice and helping you to achieve your goals. The treatments are a real bonus, everything on offer is top quality and guaranteed to make you feel fantastic. Yoga in the morning and evening is the perfect way to start and end the day.”
“Wonderful supportive staff. We had constant monitoring and attention. Our health was always the priority. Great accommodation. Met lovely like-minded people there as well. Yoga and walks all tailored to detoxification and wellbeing. It was the ‘pause/reset button’ I needed. Never any pressure. Protocols were personally tailored.’
“My third and definitely not final visit. I arrived with high blood pressure, overweight and exhausted. I left with excellent blood pressure, lighter and relaxed. Amchara is my happy place. Staff knowledgeable and discuss detailed personal health and lifestyle advice for your stay and beyond.”
What our clients say
New beginnings and new experiences. If that is what you want then nothing beats Amchara. From the beautiful setting in the gorgeous English countryside in a stunning house dating back to the 1600’s, to the phenomenal people taking care of every little detail. Everyone was SUPER lovely and make you feel so welcome. The food and juices are so delicious and fresh everyday. Evenings are super cosy by fire watching movies loafing on big comfy sofas. Will 100% go back!!! Thank you Amchara.
Went to have a real break and get away from everything, it was fantastic – calm, healthy food (delicious) and wonderful walks and yoga. Very comfortable and I feel SO much better after only one week – thank you Amchara – really hope I will be able to come again.
Love the place, this is my third visit at Amchara. It is food for the soul and can be an amazing life-changing experience for those who want to learn about how to improve their wellbeing and health..
After a consultation with Alex the naturopath, I decided to do a juice fast, which was perfect for me. I never felt hungry: on the contrary, the juices were really energising. At each juice time, all the naturopaths were on hand to deal with any questions. I also undertook some treatments: reiki and a signature facial. Liz, the reiki specialist, has truly magical and healing hands. I am very grateful to her. Rose gave the most delightful facial. Gozo itself is easy to explore from the retreat and has lots of interesting sites, including the magnificent citadel. The retreat organises walks, but it is fine to explore by oneself too.
My daughter has health challenges and doing a detox makes her feel more empowered with her health. The staff were amazing, helpful, caring and kind to us. Met some great people there and hearing other people’s health challenges made us feel we’re not so alone. Does us both the world of good, gives us a break from everyday living and a reboot. I would definitely recommend to anyone.
New beginnings and new experiences. If that is what you want then nothing beats Amchara. From the beautiful setting in the gorgeous English countryside in a stunning house dating back to the 1600’s, to the phenomenal people taking care of every little detail. Everyone was SUPER lovely and make you feel so welcome. The food and juices are so delicious and fresh everyday. Evenings are super cosy by fire watching movies loafing on big comfy sofas. Will 100% go back!!! Thank you Amchara.