Cutting back on salt not only lowers your blood pressure, but it lowers it by much more than previously thought, according to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study 'lays to rest the long-standing controversy over whether sodium reduction lowers blood pressure,' said Dr. Claude Lenfant, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which funded the study in part. The reductions seen in the study were so great, researchers said, that some people with hypertension could avoid taking drugs if they just lowered the amount of salt in their diet - and they'd get an even bigger reduction in blood pressure if they followed a low-fat diet, too.

Many processed foods contain unnecessary amounts of salt. Adding salt preserves shelf life, making economic sense for the food industry, despite being less healthy. Longer shelf life increases the likelihood it will be sold before it spoils. Discarded, spoiled food is a liability and hits a grocer’s profits. To compete for a grocer’s business, food packagers extend the shelf life of their products with salt. The alternative, refrigeration, is a more costly but healthier choice. It’s necessary, therefore, to read labels and cut down our salt intake.

Around the world, lower salt usage is associated with lower blood pressure.  Restricting salt is difficult because it is used as much as a preservative as a flavouring condiment. But being more selective on food purchases will reap health dividends. Additionally, using alternatives to table salt such as Himalayan Crystal Salt or other easily absorbed forms, will also support healthy blood circulation activity.

For more information on Himalayan Salt products, visit www.bestcare-uk.com online.

This is a really valuable guide for those who have no idea where to start and simply can't fathom ditching all the modern conveniences to do their bit for planet Earth. Richard shows that reducing your global footprint really is as simple as taking one step at a time - no need to throw yourself in the deep end, before long you will wonder just why you 'needed' to consume quite so much in the first place.

I found myself nodding in agreement as various issues and dilemmas came to light - particularly when it came to ponderings about why the green advertising isn't aimed squarely at the commercial sector...do they really need all of those office lights on 24/7? The point Richard makes quite clearly is that it just needs to start with one person making a change and we can grow as a conscious community from there.

This book is a great read no matter where you lie on the scale of global awareness and eco-friendliness, it certainly should give those who have put 'going green' in the too-hard basket the confidence that they can make a difference and the motivation to start now. At the very least it is a valuable resource for those simply looking to reduce their household bills.

Maca is also a source of two alkaloids (Lepidiline A and B), plant sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol) and some important novel compounds which require further analysis - including macaene and macamide - which are believed to contribute to its benefits in areas of sexual performance.

Ongoing research will undoubtedly confirm many more of the historical uses of this incredible vegetable crop - proof, if any were needed, that food is medicine. Until then, the good news is that Maca is completely safe, and to many people around the world who have used it to help to resolve many personal but highly important problems - it is already worth more than gold. 

Rio Trading Company supply Maca in unprocessed vegicaps, powder or as an elixir. They use Maca that is sustainably grown in the Peruvian Andes mountains.

Rio Peruvian Maca is available from Rio Health Direct (01273 570987).

There is a more widespread use for Reishi and its immune boosting properties over the winter months however as we try and avoid colds and common illnesses slowing us down. Numerous published studies show Reishi extracts help to enhance the immune system and researchers have concluded that the mushroom helps to modulate many components of the body’s defences, such as the antigen-presenting cells, NK cells, T and B lymphocytes. By boosting your immune system in this way Reishi is thought to help protect you from illness and aid you with recovery.

One of the many pluses of Reishi extracts is that their effects can be felt quickly and there are no side-effects from its use. Within just a matter of days you should start feeling better in yourself from taking good quality extracts of Reishi.

The quality of Reishi mushrooms can vary dramatically however and it has taken until now for a superior product to reach the UK and be launched mainstream.

Mikei Red Reishi Essence is a Reishi extract that couldn’t be easier to use and comes in ready to swallow vegetable based capsules; for general health and well-being only one capsule needs to be taken daily. Extracted from mushrooms grown in Japan, Mikei Red Reishi Essence is the most concentrated and high quality Reishi extract on the market and is now available in the UK from Haeon Limited. Buy online at www.haeon.com or from leading health stores.

REFERENCES:
1/ Lin, Z.; Zhang, H., Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2004 Nov;25(11):1387-95. Review.

2/ Gao, Y.; Chan E,; Zhou, S.; Immunomodulating Activities of Ganoderma, a mushroom with Medicinal Properties.

3/ Nutrition and food safety office in Chinese Disease Prevention and Controlling Centre Mikei Red Reishi Essence Capsule Increasing the immunization function Testing report; 5.

4/ Cheuk W, Chan JK, Nuovo G, Chan MK, Fok M. Regression of gastric large B-Cell lymphoma accompanied by a florid lymphoma-like T-cell reaction: immunomodulatory effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi)? Int J Surg Pathol. 2007 Apr;15(2):180-6.

5/ Lin KI, Kao YY, Kuo HK, Yang WB, Chou A, Lin HH, Yu AL, Wong CH. Reishi polysaccharides induce immunoglobulin production through the TLR4/TLR2-mediated induction of transcription factor Blimp-1. J Biol Chem. 2006 Aug 25;281(34):24111-23. Epub 2006 Jun 23.

6/ Lin YL, Lee SS, Hou SM, Chiang BL. Polysaccharide purified from Ganoderma lucidum induces gene expression changes in human dendritic cells and promotes T helper 1 immune response in BALB/c mice. Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Aug;70(2):637-44. Epub 2006 May 2.

7/ Shao BM, Dai H, Xu W, Lin ZB, Gao XM. Immune receptors for polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Oct 8;323(1):133-41.