Category: BLOG

After 2022 introduced us to several interesting self-care and wellness trends, we became used to new and revolutionary medicine techniques. We can say that much more interesting and better treatments, products and innovations are to come in the next years. Whether it’s about our physical features, being fit or just boosting our immune system before the flu season, Beauty Woman talked to an industry expert to find out what will be the biggest trend in and beauty and wellness in 2023.

Dr. Rayna Stoyanova is a specialist in the field of endocrinology, metabolic diseases and dietetics and is part of the team of Regina Life Clinic Sofia. Dr. Stoyanova is the creator of “Regina Life Champion”, a method patented in Europe, which helps professional athletes quickly regain good shape with proven clinical results.

Over the past year, IV therapies have received a lot of interest from a number of well-known public figures due to their effectiveness. Maria Silvester, Dilyana Popova and Alexandra Bogdanska are just some of the big names in Bulgaria who use “vitamin cocktails” to keep themselves fit and healthy while sharing their results on social media. While intravenous therapies have become the new usual thing to treat a hangover or weak immune system, in 2023 Regina Life Clinic introduces an exciting new generation of vitamin cocktails that work on all levels of our health, including our physical beauty, reveals Dr. Stoyanova.

INFUSION THERAPY – THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE

Infusion therapy is used to treat a variety of health problems, nourish “from within” and simply hydrate the body by intravenous infusion of precisely dosed diluted mixtures containing important vitamins, drug molecules, antioxidants, micro- and macroelements and/or nutrients. The solution is tailored to the individual needs of the patient, and direct infusion into the bloodstream ensures complete and efficient absorption of the ingredients by the body.

The therapy is also popular for treating health complications after COVID-19. It restores imbalances in the body and provides the necessary amount of essential vitamins and minerals, reaching the bloodstream directly for more effective and rapid healing. Whether you want to boost your immunity, hydrate your body, fight fatigue and stress, recover quickly from muscle aches or even a hangover, lose excess fat, detoxify, and help your skin glow, IV therapy can be formulated to be the solution to it all.

REVOLUTIONARY SOLUTION FOR RADIANT SKIN

Infusion therapy is the next trend making its way up in beauty and wellness. In addition to boosting immunity and treating various ailments, this type of treatment is also improves the skin and fights aging.

BEAUTY FROM INSIDE OUT

Eating healthy, staying hydrated and resting are the key to feeling energetic and having great skin. But nowadays, it’s getting harder and harder to get all the nutrients we need from food alone.

After a mandatory medical exam and laboratory tests, experts in the field will create a personalized health cocktail of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Therapy can provide a number of health benefits such as flushing toxins from the body, boosting energy levels and tone, restoring metabolism, and reducing excess weight easily and effectively.

LOOSING WEIGHT IN A HEALTHY WAY IS POSSIBLE

Losing weight can be a slow and difficult process. IV weight loss therapy is an innovative way to lose weight and help you reach your goals faster. The therapy helps speed up metabolism, drain the body and suppress cravings for sugary foods. In addition to speeding up the metabolism, IV therapy provides the body with a full range of vitamins and minerals to prevent deficiency of any of them, which is a common side effect when following highly restrictive diets.

HORMONAL BALANCE IN NO TIME

IV therapy can be part of the hormonal imbalance treatment for PMS, which often leads to night sweats, mood swings, sleep problems, depression, appetite changes, headaches, etc. In addition, such therapy could alleviate the unpleasant side effects of menopause and andropause in women and men. The only thing needed for this treatment is a consultation and a blood test that will show your current hormone levels and objectify your condition.

Achieving a glowing appearance can be slow and hard. By addressing medical trends and helping its patients improve their quality of life, Regina Life Clinic offers special health packages for 2023. They include primary and secondary examinations with various specialists – endocrinologist, clinical nutritionist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, orthopedist, psychologist, in combination with the design of a diet plan, personal treatment and follow-up of all therapy.

If you are looking for a natural way to respond to your body’s needs, turn to industry experts for a professional opinion. They will show you the right way to achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle in order to become a better version of yourself.

Dr. Rayna Stoyanova, endocrinologist at Regina Life Clinic in Sofia, gave a lecture on “Acne as a Symptom of Endocrine Diseases” at the Acne Master Class organized by Beauty Woman magazine.

She directed the audience’s attention to an in-depth presentation of acne caused by hormonal changes, presented the hormones that increase sebum secretion from the sebaceous glands, and noted what provokes their imbalance. She gave guidance on what aestheticians can do in such cases and the importance of finding out the real cause of acne. Otherwise, it will reoccur regardless of cosmetic care.

When and why is acne a symptom of endocrine diseases?
The word “acne” was first used in the 6th century by Aetius Amidenus, a physician in Constantinople who called ionthos (or “acne”) the lesions appearing on the face during puberty. The disease occurs in about 79-95% of the adolescent population. It is expressed by comedones, papules, pustules and nodules. It appears in the sebaceous gland-rich areas of the face.
Although it is strictly a dermatological problem and does not threaten life directly, its social significance is great – it can worsen the quality of life, cause social isolation, mental disorders. It is most common for people aged between 10 and 20 years, but in recent years acne has also developed in adulthood in patients aged 30-40 years, in whom it can be very severe.

The forms of acne are: Acne Comodeonica – multiple open and closed comedones, located mainly in the forehead, cheeks, nose; Acne Papulopustulosa – most often the comedones are accompanied by inflammatory changes such as papules and pustules; Acne Conglobata – severe form, in which together with the comedones, papules and pustules, characteristic of ordinary acne, the skin develops various sizes of nodular and cystic changes.

The appearance of acne is influenced by internal and external factors. One of the internal factors is the change in hormonal balance. It is with hormones, and specifically those that provoke the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands, that endocrinology is concerned.

ACNE AND HORMONES
– Androgens (male hormones). In order to function properly and be healthy, the female body also produces androgens. The production of sebum by the sebaceous glands is controlled mostly by hormones – testosterone, androstenedione, androstenedione and DHEAS. Increased levels of these hormones lead to increased secretion of sebum and to the formation of comedones. Acne usually worsens in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (second phase) when progesterone levels rise. This is why some authors believe that it is this hormone with its androgenic effect that plays a role in the pilosebaceous unit. We as endocrinologists do laboratory tests on patients, used as a screening method to prove or exclude androgen overproduction. These include testing serum levels of total and/or free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, and 17-hydroxy-progesterone (to rule out late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia).

ACNE AND ESTROGENS
– Estrogens have a beneficial effect on the skin and its appendages, administered systemically as medications, they reduce the production of sebaceous secretion, since by suppressing ovulation, ovarian production of androgens is reduced.
– While in men hormones stabilize with years, in women they continue to fluctuate. Specifically, between the ages of 20 and 40, and then again during menopause, women are particularly prone to hormonally induced acne.
– The main three factors are menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause.

ADRENAL HORMONES
– The adrenal glands are a major site for the production of other steroid hormones vital to the human body – cortisol and gestagen.
– Cortisol, or the so-called stress hormone, is involved in the body’s adaptive responses to stressful situations. It controls water-salt balance in the body, carbohydrate metabolism, protein metabolism, bone metabolism, nervous system, immunity.
– Gestagen is a steroid hormone, an intermediate metabolite in the synthesis of adrenal cortex hormones.

THYROID HORMONES AND ACNE
T3 and T4 play a leading role in all body processes. Тhey contain iodine in their structure, and its inadvertent intake can change the function of the gland. Therefore, provoke the appearance of acne.

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME
The clinical definition of PCOS has changed in recent years but now includes some of the basic criteria of the dermatological manifestations of hyperandrogenism, mainly acne vulgaris and androgenetic alopecia. Acanthosis nigricans, a cutaneous sign of hyperinsulinaemia, may also be present.

These dermatologic features can provide early clinical clues to recognize SPCJ, and treatment of these skin conditions can improve the patient’s quality of life and psychological well-being. Treatment modalities may include hormonal therapy designed to modulate the production and action of androgens, as well as non-hormonal therapies targeting specific dermatological conditions.

ACNE AND NUTRITION
There are foods and food products that are bad for our skin and cause it to secrete more sebum, which in turn clogs the pores and leads to the spread of pathogenic bacteria. Such foods are, for example, those with a high glycemic index (GI), that is refined carbohydrates and sugars. They cause a sharp rise in blood sugar in our body, from which more insulin is secreted by the pancreas. The insulin intensifies the action of the sebaceous glands and leads to the development of cells that clog the pores and lead to the so unpleasant acne.

In a study conducted in 2007, Austrian teenagers followed a carbohydrate-only low GI diet. They found that after 2 weeks their acne noticeably improved.

My recommendation to patients is: trust proven specialists and follow their recommendations, but don’t forget that lifestyle, stress, lack of sleep, lack of happiness in life have a huge impact on our skin condition.

On 11 October, we celebrated World Obesity Day with an Open Day where the clinic provided free medical consultations with an endocrinologist and registered dietitian.

The specialists at Regina Life Clinic dedicated their entire day to patients and provided them with a medical consultation, InBody test (accurate analysis of water balance, muscle mass, fat and more..), lab test, and personalized recommendations for a healthy and balanced diet.

“Today, obesity is a serious health problem that continues to be overlooked. Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases. It is of utmost importance for our clinic to be of help to our patients and that is why we have decided to dedicate October 11 to people with a weight problem. And this is just the first step of a bigger initiative,” said Dr. Rayna Stoyanova, endocrinologist at Regina Life Clinic.

Overweight and obesity can also be determined by body mass index (BMI). It is determined by dividing weight in kilograms by height in square meters (kg/m2). You can access the Regina Life Clinic health calculator here.

Dear patients, we are happy to announce the partnership of Regina life Clinic with the leading medical diagnostic laboratoryBodimed, which expands our portfolio of services.

Our collaboration will enable patients to take advantage of Bodimed’s full range of tests and take care of their health in the most convenient and safe way.

At Regina life Clinic, we have a team of amazing professionals and a modern manipulation room with the ability to take samples that will be directly tested at Bodimed Laboratories. Thanks to optimized internal logistics, samples will be processed quickly and reliably, and patients will enjoy first-class comprehensive care and intensive treatment in a welcoming atmosphere.

Regina Life Clinic, the newest specialized medical center with a metabolic focus, officially opened its doors in Sofia on May 16, 2022. The clinic will offer a wide range of personalized services tailored to patients’ goals, including medical metabolic testing, consultations with a cardiologist, orthopedist and oncologist, IV therapies, nutrition and anti-aging programs, internships and seminars.

The clinic’s team consists of proven specialists, including endocrinologist Dr. Rayna Stoyanova, orthopedist and traumatologist Dr. Ivan Uzunov, cardiac surgeon Dr. Delian Evrev, vascular surgeons Dr. Emil Belinski and Dr. Gergana Dimitrova, registered dietitian Kristina Vavura, health psychologist Neli Pavlova and Dr. Kalina Topuzova. They all attended the official opening together with many celebrities, diplomats, businessmen, medical specialists and media.

“We, the specialists at Regina Life Clinic, strive to provide exceptional services with a personal approach, innovative methods of the highest standards and, above all, quality care for our patients. With the opening of the clinic, we will give many people the opportunity to take the first step towards a better and healthier lifestyle,” said Dr. Rayna Stoyanova, endocrinologist and part of the Regina Life Clinic team.

Regina Life Clinic offers a comprehensive service tailored to individual patient needs and desires for a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. It is located on 251A Okolovrasten Pat Street, Ring Tower Building, floor 12, and patients will be seen by appointment every weekday from 9:00am-6:00pm.

Chia seeds – small and hard seeds, fruit of a plant which quite resembles garden tea with extremely small size. These small seeds were grown only as decorative element until some time ago when by exploration of their content and useful properties it becomes clear they can be potential source of valuable substances for the organism.

It is hard to describe in several phrases all valuable properties of ‘the food for runners’ – Chia as it was called by the Indians. They claim its consumption is linked with energy burst and significant increase in endurance.

This is explained with the large amounts of potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc and manganese in the seeds. Moreover the presence of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids increases the usefulness of the cereal.

Most of them are omega 3 fatty acids and alpha – linoleic acid in fact and there is sufficient data how useful they are for the good physiological state of the organism.

Cabbage originates from the territory of today’s Spain, but due to its easy cultivation and good harvests, it was quickly promoted throughout Europe and became a favorite product of many nations.

Here in Bulgaria the so called “headed” cabbage is most familiar and it has many sorts, also known for their undeniable benefits to human health: red cabbage, kale, Savoy cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage. Broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi and turnips are their cousins. They all belong to the rich family of Cruciferae.

Chinese cabbage, as its name suggests, comes from China, namely the delta of Yangtze River. The first reliable reports of its use date back from 1500 years. In modern China the crisp pale green leaves, which grow in hard and elongated head are often used in stir-fry meals, because they have fine taste and take quite well the flavors of the other ingredients.

There is no particular big difference in the benefits from the consumption of any of the vegetables from the genus Brassica. Typical for them is the high content of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant, assistant in the fight against viruses and booster of the immune system. Moreover, the cabbage genus is full of bioflavonoids, indoles and genisteins, known for their anti-cancer properties. We should not ignore the low calorie value of cabbage, as well as the richness of fibers. They make the vegetable first ally in losing weight and cleansing the digestive tract of toxins.

The juice of fresh cabbage is used in folk medicine since ancient times for ulcer patients and for purification of liver and biliary tract.

The Chinese cabbage is characterized by a slightly higher water and protein content. Moreover, the specific odor of sulfur compounds, which occurs when cooking the cabbage from our parts, is much weaker in its Chinese brother.

Chinese cabbage has less durability than the well-known cabbage and is recommended to be used within one week of purchase. During this time it is good the whole heads to be stored in the locker for vegetables in the fridge and every appeared moisture must be removed with kitchen paper.

We live in times in which we are overloaded with information from all sides about the incredible properties of known and unknown miraculous “super” foods, which often have traveled thousands of miles to reach our tables.

It turns out that there are a lot of traditional products literally under our nose, such as cabbage, which in addition to its low cost and accessibility, win us also with its undeniable qualities and excellent taste.

Focus on diversity, always choose fresh vegetables.

Avoid the consumption of cabbage, especially in its raw form, in the following conditions: gastritis with high acidity, intestinal bloating, diarrhea, inflammatory liver and pancreatic diseases.

Do I have to wash or is it enough to wipe with a cloth? (“24 hours”, 18/11/2017)

Edible mushrooms have served as food for humans since ancient times. The ancient Greek scientist Theophrastus, who lived in 370 – 285 BC, describes in his works agarics, truffles and many other mushrooms. The mushrooms were served not only on the folk table but also to khans and kings. By their chemical composition, mushrooms are very close to vegetables and meat. The protein content in them varies from 2 to 55% of the total weight of the mushroom, the larger part being in the “hat”. Fats are not so much – 0.5 – 4%, and the amount of carbohydrates is only 1.7-23%. Of course, each sort of mushrooms has its more specific content.

The average caloric value of mushrooms varies from 20 to 40 calories per 100 g of product. The truffles are the most calorific – 97 calories in 100 g.

The nutritional composition of mushrooms makes them an appropriate food for a diet to lose weight and to control body fat. The Hollywood stars Katie Perry and Kelly Osborne are among the popular celebrities who have boasted of a sculpted body through observing a special mushroom-based diet.

Recent studies from British scientists showed that mushrooms can actually help in the nutritional regimens for weight reduction. In the experiment, participants of different age replaced meat dishes with similar in size mushroom dishes 4 times a week.

For 5 weeks, each of those included in the experiment lost 6 kilograms, as their results were reported strictly individually.

Mushrooms contain significant amount of fibers, especially chitin and beta-glucan. Chitin is the most difficult to solve substance in nature. It creates a feeling of satiety in the stomach and regulates the passage of food through the intestinal tract. Beta-glucan is among the few scientifically proven natural immunostimulators.

It can be said that mushrooms are a wholesome food, as they contain 17 amino acids, among which the eight main ones.

The balance of the key amino acids (grams of amino acids / grams of protein) in mushrooms is comparable to those in the eggs. Six of the key amino acids are in amounts comparable to those in the eggs, and the other two – phenylalanine and methionine are less. Almost all vitamins from the group B are found in the mushrooms’ content – thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), choline (B4), pantothenic acid (B5) and folic acid (B9) – so important for the nervous system. Mushrooms are extremely important for vegans, not only because of the complete amino acid content, but also because they are the only natural, not artificially enriched nutritional source of vitamin D that is not of animal origin.

Regarding the question about washing the mushrooms, I have to admit that I hesitated much how to answer.

We are used to wash every vegetable we put on the table. It turns out, however, the mushrooms should not be washed under running water. There is a specific way to clean mushrooms and it is not as we wash them. Mushrooms have the property to absorb water in the same way as the dishwashing sponges. If we allow this, after heat treatment, the mushrooms will not get the appetizing brownish color. There are special brushes for cleaning mushrooms or the other option is with household paper. If you use paper, moisten it and rub the whole mushrooms with it one by one.

When transitioning through summer and winter- our immune system is usually weakened, and our body finds it harder to meet the challenges of the new season. The sharp changes in the weather that we all experience further stresses our bodies. Apart from feeling more and more exhausted, tired and sluggish, we are more likely to get a cold, flu or parainfluenza than at any other time of the year.  Therefore, it is vital to take care of ourselves and strengthen our immunity during spring/autumn.

Vitamins and minerals – why are they so important and how to ensure we are getting enough of them?

In general, the best option to get vitamins and minerals for proper immune functioning is through a balanced and varied diet. For more vitamin C- rely on citrus fruits and rose hips. The optimal thing to do is to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables that are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

The role of fats – why are they a key element in nutrition regimes?

Immunity-important micronutrients are the fat-soluble vitamins A and E, which have a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. They are seen in carrots, sweet potatoes, milk, butter, liver, some nuts and seeds and avocados.

Vitamin D is also fat-soluble, and it has gained a lot of popularity lately since it proposes tremendous benefits in terms of our immune functions. Despite its name, it is not a vitamin, but a steroid hormone that can affect about 2,000 genes in the human body. It produces over 200 antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin, which is a naturally occurring broad-spectrum antibiotic. This is one of the reasons why vitamin D is so effective against colds and the flu.

The protective mechanisms of the immune system are affected by energy intake and nutrientintake as well. High-calorie consumption is associated with impaired lymphocyte (protective cells of the immune system) response. Moreover, increased dietary intake of fats suppresses the functions of other vital immune cells- T cells and natural “killer” cells. Numerous studies suggest that the capacity of “killer” immune cells is increased when fat intake is reduced from 32% to 22% of daily energy intake. In addition to the amount of fat in the diet- it is important to address the importance of the type of fat that is consumed.. Fish oils, for example, are rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory and suppress the release of cytokines and reduce their inflammatory action. Fats from nuts can also contain omega-3 fatty acids, mainly alpha-linolenic acids which is not a long-chain fatty acid, but it has the potential to help with the production of long-chain omega-3s in the body. It is advisable to avoid the overconsumption of sugar and sugar-rich foods since they also elevate cytokine production in the body.

The role of antioxidants

Leukocytes release free radicals in response to their interaction with an infectious agent. When they accumulate in the body, they cause the so-called “oxidative stress” which damages normal cells. Therefore, it is important to maintain an adequate antioxidant status in the body. Fruits and vegetables are rich in substances with antioxidant properties, especially those with bright and saturated colours- “traffic light colours”: vitamin C, carotenes, bioflavonoids. Green and black tea are also wonderful sources of bioflavonoids. Some minerals such as zinc, selenium, manganese serve as cofactors of enzymes that help with the proper functioning of the antioxidant system in our bodies. These minerals are contained in wholegrains, legumes and meat.

The role of proteins

Additionally, to improve our immune status, it is extremely important to consume an adequate amount of protein. Proteins are necessary for the synthesis of immunoactive molecules and receptor. Thus, they should be present in sufficient quantities in our daily diet. Vegetarians also have the potential to maintain a protein-rich diet if it is well-formulated. Animal Proteins have plant alternatives such as legumes: chickpea, lentils, soy. Other plants also contain protein: some vegetables like i.e.. broccoli, cereals, and nuts. Monodiets, the ones excluding whole groups of nutrients, shouldn’t be applied for a long time because it impairs the body’s immune function.

Immunity and gut health – how are they related?

A number of studies have documented the importance of our intestinal health in relation of the strength of the immune system. The microbiome is influenced by many factors and contributes greatly to our health status on so many levels. According to a study published in the Immunology Journal in May 2009, the complex effects of the bacteria in our body supports proper development of our defense mechanisms. Among these mechanisms is the intestinal lymphoid tissue. For example. Payer’s patches is a type of lymphoid tissue and it monitors the entry of pathogenic bacteria into the gut. When pathogens are detected, an immune response in the mucosa is generated and the immune system is activated with the help of macrophages, dendrites, B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes. However, gastrointestinal issues can lead to various imbalances such as vitamin, water or chemical imbalances that directly affect the health and efficiency of the intestinal lymphoid tissues. That’s why, it is extremely important to consume probiotic foods such as fermented dairy products- yogurt, kefir,. They contain bifidobacterial which can break down toxins and help in maintaining proper immune function. Moreover, they contain vitamins A, B, D and E which are essential for human health. There are many mechanisms in our intestines that contribute to the production of serotonin- the happiness hormone. On the other hand, fermented milk products contain the amino acid- tryptophan, which helps with serotonin production in the gut. Therefore, a healthy intestinal microflora can support good health.

In conclusion, balanced and varied diet rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, good fats, fiber and probiotic foods is a key factor in healthy immune system. Adequate sleep, hydration and regular physical activity are no less important for our health. Do not underestimate these factors because they are as important as nutrition. Try to consume seasonal foods daily, probiotics, lean meats, more fish, wholegrains and at least 1.5-2L water every day. Moreover, do not forget to address your thoughts and emotions. Positively charge yourself by smiling more. Be happy and enjoy life as it is!

Authors: Rayna Stoyanova, MD, and Kristina Vavura