Join our newsletter and get 15% off your first order.
Blogs

Diets Schmiets... yadda, yadda, yadda...

July 05, 2024

Diets Schmiets... yadda, yadda, yadda...

Bye bye belly fat.

For most of my life, my problem was keeping weight on. So I’ve never had much interest in diets other than eating healthily, and if I didn’t at times, my metabolism just dealt with it. But then surreptitiously, middle age crept in and whilst still being generally athletic, a layer of belly fat made itself at home - uninvited, unwanted. For the first time in my life I’d let trousers out.

Over the years I’d listened to so many family, friends and clients tell me about miracle diets they were using, yet in the long run it seemed that none of them worked. The world is awash with diet fads but one that had long interested me was fasting

Not one to naturally seek out self-deprivation, the thoughts passed. I heard different versions in different ways but they didn’t register. Then I heard from another source in a new way and the penny dropped. This wasn’t about the quality, type or amount of food. It was about giving the body enough time without food to switch its metabolism from digest and store, to clean and burn.

The switch starts at around 8 -10 hours. At 12 hours ketogenic burning of fat starts helping repair and bring mental clarity. At 15 hours growth hormones go up to help you stay youthful, testosterone goes up, inflammation goes down. At 16 hours the body starts clearing and repairing bad cells to make the body stronger - autophagy. Sixteen hours is just 7pm to 11am. For two or three nights a week, it took half a stone off around my middle in a fortnight.

Staying with the health theme, the western civilisation was built on a dairy and grain diet. Many people do not process this well in their metabolism which can lead to digestive and other health problems.

So much is down to the protein chains in meat and dairy that can be difficult to break down into the smaller amino-acids that are easily assimilated through the small intestine. Overwhelmed by the too-long chains of indigestible protein that the villi cannot absorb, the small intestine becomes inflamed and all the unpleasant symptoms and conditions of poor digestion result.

This understanding makes me think of similar issues with hair health and decay. Protein chains are very long - like a pearl necklace, to the amino acid pearls that make them up.

Amino acids are the building blocks of nature and at this size the body can absorb them. Our HydrabondRx™ formulation contains the amino acids from cashmere protein already hydrolysed from the long chain cashmere protein. And it’s why the hair absorbs this at a deep level because it’s almost identical to its own molecular structure.

Healthy hair is 97% protein and many products claim to have proteins to help the hair. But I know from my 35 years of continuous research that they will mostly have no effect on hair in that form, and you may as well walk about with a beefsteak on your head à la Lady Gaga.

LifeSaver Ultra Pre-wash Treatment has the highest concentration of HydrabondRx™ - our proprietary magic ingredient. The repairing and conditioning effects are remarkable. It’s also our best seller.

Michael Van Clarke



Also in Blogs

Autumn/Winter 2026 Hair Trends with Principal Stylist Lamphane
Autumn/Winter 2026 Hair Trends with Principal Stylist Lamphane

September 18, 2026

From the return of ’90s layers and statement fringes to softer bobs and high-gloss styling, Principal Stylist Lamphane shares the cuts, finishes and celebrity inspiration she predicts will define AW26.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Japanese Milk Bread
Gaby's Bakery - Japanese Milk Bread

September 18, 2026

This Japanese Milk Bread was meant for last week’s blog but my household ate half of it before I managed to get the photos. Two versions, rolls and a loaf that makes for amazing toast too.

Continue Reading

Autumn Hair Colour Trends: Q&A with Master Colourist, Berni
Autumn Hair Colour Trends: Q&A with Master Colourist, Berni

September 11, 2026

A new season is the perfect time for a colour rethink. We caught up with our Colour Masterist, Berni, to talk about restoring and refreshing post-summer hair, the shades and techniques defining the season ahead, and her expert advice for keeping your colour looking vibrant, glossy and beautifully healthy.

Continue Reading

Subscribe