April Online Newsletter – Issue 18
whatreallyworks.co.uk

Message from the What Really Works Team
This month on the site we are featuring the common, but distressing, skin condition affecting adolescents and adults alike - acne. While many people believe that acne is a result of poor hygiene and a diet which is high in junk food, there is actually a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) which is to blame.

Take a look at our homepage to discover more about alternatives to conventional antibiotic treatments which can have serious long-term effects. Entering the keyword 'acne' into our search panel - located at the top of the navigation menu - brings up a list of 62 (and counting!) relevant items on the What Really Works site.

We have just come to the end of Arthritis Awareness Week for 2004 (April 25 - 30) – arthritis now being the largest single cause of physical disability in the UK - another condition affecting people of all ages. The month of May will see the UK recognising World Asthma Day on May the 4th, and National Allergy Awareness Week during 17th - 21st May. Chances are you know at least one person suffering from any one of these conditions - why not find out what really works to ease symptoms naturally by performing a site search?

	Herb Zone Nicki Woodward looks at maintaining skin from the inside in her latest article, Nutrients and herbs that can help you have great skin.
	Ayurvedic Zone Sebastian Pole discusses the Ayurvedic view of skin care - beginning with internal balance - in his latest article, Ayurvedic Skin Care.
	Homeopathy Zone Dr Neil Slade recommends Homeopathy as a safe method of treating common pregnancy and childbirth events in his latest article, Homeopathy in pregnancy and childbirth.
	Parents & Kids Zone Melissa Clark searches for a family homeopath and reports back with useful advice for those daunted by such a task in her latest article, How to find a Homeopath.

Synergy

Most people who take vitamins according to what’s fashionable or what they think they need, are wasting their money. They forget that if you increase the body’s intake of one nutrient, this is likely to have a knock-on and often adverse effect on levels of another. This is what nutritionists call synergy and it is the reason why, instead of taking pot luck, you really need to find out exactly which supplements you need.

*Vitamin A can help prevent acne and protect against cancer - but it needs choline, essential fatty acids, zinc and vitamins C, D and E as well

*Vitamin B Complex provides all the anti-stress B vitamins which also help with digestion - but you also need calcium, plus vitamins C and E

*Vitamin B6 can help relieve PMT - but it needs potassium, all the B vitamins in a B complex and vitamin C too

*Vitamin C can protect against heart disease, boost immunity and speed up wound healing - but not without bioflavanoids, calcium and magnesium

*Vitamin D is important for strong bones and needs calcium, choline, essential fatty acids, phoshorous plus the antioxidant vitamins A and C

*The essential fatty acids are important for energy and brain health - but these need the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E and the “sunshine” vitamin D

*Magnesium, essential for nerves and muscles and wiped out by stress, is the second most common deficiency in women. You cannot rebuild levels without calcium, phosphorous, potassium, vitamins B6, C and D

*Calcium is crucial for strong bones but no good without vitamins A, C, D and F plus boron, essential fatty acids, lysine, magnesium, manganese and phosphorous.

Arthritis Week: 25 - 30 April

Health Perception, the health supplement company founded by Olympic Gold Medallist, David Wilkie that pioneered glucosamine in the UK, has launched Joint-Flex, a new liquid glucosamine range using glucosamine hydrochloride (HCL).

Joint-Flex is available in two formulations: GlucOsamine Liquid and GlucOsamine and Chondroitin Liquid. Both products are the ideal solution for those who prefer not to take tablets or capsules. Health Perception has chosen glucosamine hydrochloride (HCL) for Joint-Flex, because it is naturally stable, requires no added salt and, in line with their corporate philosophy, has a particularly high purity.

Health Perception’s Joint-Flex GlucOsamine Liquid retails at £7.99 and Joint-Flex GlucOsamine and Chondroitin Liquid at £12.99. Both products are available in a 300ml bottle and each comes with a measuring cap. One 10ml serving of Joint-Flex GlucOsamine Liquid provides 500mg of Glucosamine Hydrochloride. One 10ml serving of Joint-Flex GlucOsamine and Chondroitin Liquid provides 500mg of Glucosamine Hydrochloride and 400mg of Chondroitin Sulphate.

Visit Health Perception online or call 01252 861454 for ordering and information.

World Asthma Day: 4th May

In Australia, where asthma rates are even higher than here, a natural remedy called Oralmat which contains rye grass, has been shown to help asthma sufferers reduce the number and severity of attacks. Rye grass contains calming tryptophan, one of the chemicals the brain needs to make the feel-good mood-booster serotonin; and zinc, which strengthens the immune system. It also contains magnesium, which also keep muscles and the immune system healthy.

In trials at the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, Australia, 40 patients were given an extract of rye grass, or a placebo for four weeks. Researchers found that those taking the rye grass not only felt better, but could also exercise for longer and had better lung function after just one week.

Oralmat, which is also reported to be effective against other allergies, colds, flu, respiratory problems, viral, fungal and bacterial infections, is available from The Health Corner. Phone (0)1827 874 721 to order.

Treating acne from the inside out

Rio Trading’s Anti Acne Formula contains a potent blend of herbs designed to reduce toxins in the blood, and help to restore normal glandular and hormonal systems. It contains Chlorophyll, a blood cleanser found in green plants (lacking in many diets, especially adolescents) and other herbs such as Burdock, Echinacea, Dandelion and Sarsparilla to help detoxify. The addition of Sassafras to stimulate liver function and Chickweed to break down fats will support this process, and Brazilian Ginseng, a herb specific to Rio Trading’s formula, is a superb hormone balancer and cell detoxifier. The ability of Brazilian Ginseng to remove homotoxins, wastes trapped in the connective tissues of the body, can also reduce the appearance of cellulite as well as acne.

In addition, Rio Trading produce a superb lotion for topical application. Their Nutritone Lotion contains soothing Aloe Vera, Heather for skin astringency, and Horsetail, providing Silica and other important minerals to encourage the DNA synthesis of collagen and elastin from the fibroblast cells. The anti bacterial action of Tea Tree is the final magic ingredient, reducing risk of further outbreaks.

If you are left with any post acne scarring, then application of Rio Rosa Mosqueta, a rich source of Essential Fatty Acids and Trans Retinoic acid, will gradually attenuate the appearance of the scars. Best used over a period of about three months for best results, this unique oil is extensively used in scar clinics around the world.

Anti Acne Formula costs £9.99 for 30 v.caps. Nutritone lotion costs £10.99 for 160ml. Rio Rosa Mosqueta costs £9.99 for 20ml. Available from Rio Health online or by phoning 01273 570987.

Breakthrough Science For Hearing Support

Most of us take hearing for granted until we have hearing challenges ourselves. Hearing is a major health concern and projections indicate that the number of people with hearing concerns will grow as the population ages and increasing noise pollution continues.

Although hearing challenges are thought of as typically striking the elderly, more people are experiencing hearing issues at an earlier age. HearAll is a natural high quality supplement containing key herbal extracts scientifically researched to provide important antioxidants, co-enzymes and special ingredients including Methyl cobalamin (B12), Acetyl L-Carnitine, Periwinkle, Co-enzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Butchers Broom, Ginkgo Biloba, B1, B2, B3, B6, Folic Acid, Magnesium and Zinc.

HearAll by Natural Care costs £19.95 for 60 Capsules. Visit Victoria Health online for information and ordering.

Elixir for healthier children

The news is full of facts-and-figures about the health of the nation’s children. Fast foods, sedentary lifestyles, lack of vegetables all combine to reduce the efficiency of a child’s immune system exposing them to an onslaught of colds and viruses. Kids today need something in keeping with their lifestyle; something quick and easy that works to increase their health without fuss.

New Zealand Natural Food Company has harnessed all the benefits of its Comvita adult’s elixir and produced a version especially for kids – Comvita Children’s Propolis Herbal Elixir. The elixir is a natural alcohol- and GM-free formulation that contains no artificial preservatives, colourings or sweeteners. The combination of Propolis extract and active Manuka honey presents soothing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties to speed recovery from colds, coughs and sore throats. Additional benefits include an ability to aid night-time sleep without causing drowsiness.

Comvita Children’s Propolis Herbal Elixir costs £8.65 for 200mls. Visit New Zealand Natural online or phone 020 8961 4410 for information and ordering.

Preventing age-related vision loss

The eye condition AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) is the leading cause of impaired vision in people aged over 65. While there are many physical changes older people have to endure, the debilitating effects of impaired vision caused by AMD shouldn't be one of them.

The first signs of AMD are loss of fine vision and colour at the centre of the eye. Sharp vision in this part of the eye is essential for reading, driving, watching television, recognising people and performing fine tasks such as sewing. As the condition deteriorates, the field of vision narrows until the sufferer is unable to see anything at all.

Research into AMD shows that taking Macuvite, a new supplement containing lutein and zeaxanthin, which are essential to the proper functioning of the retina that is responsible for acute vision, could prove an effective and relatively inexpensive way to protect against - and possibly reverse - age-related vision loss.

Macuvite is available exclusively from the Nutri Centre and is currently on special at £16.95 for 30 capsules. Order online, or phone 020 7436 5122.

Nourishing immune booster

Pure Planet Red Marine Algae & Spirulina boosts the immune system and nourishes your body by combining the antiviral properties of Red Marine Algae with the nutritional power of Spirulina. Rich in sulphated polysaccharides, Red Marine Algae has proved highly effective in supporting the immune system against viral infections - particularly those that deplete energy levels.

Being a proper food, there are no side effects with Red Marine Algae. Coupled with Spirulina, you have an immune booster high in protein, essential amino acids, trace elements and other energy enhancing properties. These key nutrients provide the building blocks for all the major metabolic processes of the body.

Pure Planet Red Marine Algae & Spirulina, traditionally available in tablet form, is now available as vegicaps and retails for £29.95 for 90 capsules. For further information visit Xynergy Health Products online or phone 08456 585858.

The unique new probiotic for healthy travel

Stomach bugs and food poisoning affect up to 50% of travellers and it is not just those travelling to exotic locations that suffer. Whatever the destination, travellers can be exposed to unfamiliar foods and standards of hygiene and water quality that are completely different to what they are used to at home.

BioCare, the specialist in probiotics, has created a unique new nutritional supplement to help protect the digestive system while travelling. TravelGuard is the first ever capsule within a capsule. It uses specially developed advanced technology which enables protective plant oils and probiotics to be combined for the first time, in a convenient one-a-day supplement.

The outer TravelGuard capsule contains liquid extracts of oils of coconut, cinnamon, oregano, clove, ginger and rosemary. When released into the stomach, these food grade oils have powerful anti-microbial, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic effects. The oils have been shown to inhibit a wide range of infective organisms, including salmonella, e coli, campylobacter, listeria and many more.

The inner capsule contains probiotics and garlic extract. These ingredients are protected both from the plant extracts and from stomach acid, so they can be released further down the digestive tract. TravelGuard contains four billion of BioCare’s high quality LAB4 Complex probiotic organisms that help maintain the friendly bacteria in the gut.

TravelGuard costs £15.95 for a 15 capsule blister pack and does not need to be kept in a refrigerator. Visit Biocare online or phone 0121 433 3727 for information and ordering.

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* Disclaimer: The advice in this newsletter should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice or treatment, especially if you know you have a specific health complaint. Our advice is that you find a GP who is sympathetic to the usefulness of natural medicine.