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| It
is hard to believe that Summer is just around the corner - and here
we are nearly While considering what to include in our newsletter with a Senior focus, I came to the realisation that while the medical world is celebrating the fact that we are now living longer, it is also true that we have more health issues than ever before. Although medicine has made great advances which result in life extension that would not have previously been possible, we are missing the point - longevity isn't as simple as just living longer, we need to strive towards better living.
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Muirapuama or ‘potency wood’ has long been held in high regard throughout South America and elsewhere in the world because of its undisputed benefits to libido in both men and women and as a remedy for male impotence. Previous research into the libido boosting benefit of Muirapuama produced stunning results. In a famous human trial of 262 male patients conducted in Paris 62% of male patients experiencing low libido reported that the herb had ‘a dynamic effect.’ A second smaller study also produced similar results. However, to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon and Orinoco basins - who have used the herb for centuries, it is also highly regarded as a general tonic for the elderly and in particular those recovering from stroke. Now
a host of stunning research into one of Brazil’s most prized
herbs shows that it can improve memory function and
general cognitive ability. Researchers at the University
of Porte Alegre in Brazil came to the conclusion that the herb may
even offer some benefit to people with Alzheimer’s
disease. A 2002 study indicated that one way the herb may work is to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity - like many drugs currently used to treat Alzheimer’s patients. In the new studies the Brazilian researchers demonstrated that additional processes may also play a role. Muirapuama is available from Rio Trading - the world leaders in rainforest remedies. For further information and ordering visit www.riohealth.co.uk
You can be cool about your health this summer with some hot new products from health supplier Viridian, now available from The Nutri Centre. Fitness
Hay
Fever Insects
To order any of these products, visit www.nutricentre.com, or call the Nutri Centre on 0800 587 2290. To speak directly to a nutritionist, call 0207 436 5122.
WHAT
ARE ALLERGIES? ALLERGY
OR SENSITIVITY? Leaky
Gut - Where it can all start Hayfever
and Allergic Rhinitis Dermatitis
and Eczema Avoiding
Allergies - What can you do? Bee
Pollen
The study included 20 healthy young adults who watched 15 to 30 minute segments of either humorous or sad films with a minimum of 48 hours between viewings. The study participants were asked to refrain from aerobic exercise or from using alcohol, vitamins or herbs the evening before the viewings, since these can all affect blood flow. Researchers
at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore The effect of watching a sad movie caused the same kind of reduced blood flow as remembering episodes of anger and doing mental arithmetic, the study authors said. In contrast, watching a comedy boosted blood flow to a level equal to that of doing aerobic exercise or getting started on a cholesterol-lowering regime!
Some butchers are believed to be cashing in on the higher value of organic meat, which sells for up to five times the price of that from a conventionally reared animal. The crime carries little risk because it is very difficult for shoppers to tell when they are being duped. Some farmers are also believed to be selling meat as organic at farmers’ markets and food fairs when they are not certified to do so. Trading Standards officers will lead the investigation, which will also include sales of meat conducted over the internet. Sales of organic food in Britain are rising by 12 percent a year and are worth £1.2 billion annually. With sales of organic meat, home produced and imported, valued at more than £200 million, enforcement agencies said they were not surprised that rogue traders were seeking to move in on such a lucrative sector. A chicken worth £2 to £3 can fetch £10 or £11 with an organic label. Ordinary steak that sells for £10 to £15 per kg can fetch as much as £29.59 per kg if it is said to be organic. The Food Standards Agency is funding the development of a test that can detect the amount of antibiotics in meat to identify if it is genuinely organic. Organic producers must follow strict rules that limit drug use in animals. This test, developed by experts at the Central Science Laboratory, can be used by Trading Standards officers. At the moment they can investigate only by examining paperwork.
If you are receiving this newsletter as text only, you can now view the full online version by clicking here. You can also access our entire archive of newsletters by clicking here. * 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. |
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halfway
through the year already! This month the main focus has been on
Senior Health, so check out the newsletter items
and specials we have put together for those of our readers in the
'third age'. And to cap it all off, this week is Silver
Surfer week (22-26 May), where Age Concern
and Digital Unite (formerly Hairnet)
are campaigning for anyone over the age of 50 to become more proficient
in Emailing and internet usage.
It
is far more common these days to die of disease
rather than old age, and while genetics may play
a role in determining whether or not one can expect a long life,
taking control of our diet and lifestyle certainly
goes a long way towards ensuring that our quality of life
reaches maximum potential. I'm afraid there is
no magic pill, but following the basic principles
of keeping active, getting plenty of rest,
reducing stress levels, and not over-eating
will dramatically increase your chances of a long, healthy
and happy life.
Combat
the misery of hay fever this summer with 
With
the onset of Spring and Summer peering from the horizon, we are
probably all looking forward to warmer weather. But for many of
us the rising temperatures also herald the onset of hayfever and
allergic rhinitis with their accompanying sneezing, swollen eyes,
breathing difficulties and general discomfort. Of course, spring
and summer are not the only times of year that allergies rear their
ugly heads; many of us suffer at different times, even all year
round. Here we explore different types, what causes them and what
we can do to get some relief.
strawberries
and chocolate. True allergies, often termed ‘atopic’,
typically run in families and often develop in early childhood.
Other allergies and sensitivities can be acquired at any time and
are often triggered by over-exposure to or prolonged contact with
sensitising substances such as chemicals or foods such as wheat.
A less than optimum diet can lead to a build-up of toxins in the
bowel causing irritation and inflammation of the gut lining. Yeast
overgrowths may penetrate the gut wall causing small holes to appear.
Lack of nutrients such as vitamin E and essential fats can lead
to poor tissue repair, resulting in further damage to the lining.
Eventually the gaps become large enough to allow undigested food
molecules to enter the blood stream. These large particles are then
treated as foreign invaders, triggering an immune reaction. So called
‘leaky gut’ is thought to be one of the prime causes
of food intolerance/allergy.
Hayfever
is an allergic reaction to tree, grass or flower pollens in the
spring or summer. Symptoms vary from watering, itching, sore, puffy
eyes to runny or congested nose and sneezing. Allergic rhinitis
is similar to hayfever, but tends to affect people all year round
as triggers include dust and atmospheric pollution. Food intolerances
are often underlying, particularly wheat or dairy.
Although
skin allergies are often caused by topical exposure to irritants
such as detergents, the cause is often an underlying food sensitivity,
usually wheat or dairy so it is well worth trying an elimination
diet to see if this relieves symptoms. Many cosmetics contain a
cocktail of chemicals capable of triggering contact dermatitis and
eczema. Choose natural skincare products that are free from petrochemicals,
propylene glycol, parabens, sulphates, detergents, preservatives,
and contain no Sodium Laureth or Lauryl Sulphate.
According
to a recent study - reported in the journal, Heart
- watching comedy films increases the flow of blood,
making a good laugh literally heartwarming. The study also found
that a watching a good tearjerker has the opposite effect, leaving
hearts a little low on blood flow.
collected
a total of 160 measurements of brachial artery flow from the participants
a minute before and after phases of laughter or sadness. The brachial
artery, which runs from the shoulder to the elbow, is a good indicator
of blood flow throughout the body. According to the researchers,
brachial blood flow was reduced in 14 of the 20
participants after they watched segments from the sad movies. Blood
flow was increased in 19 of the 20
participants after they watched clips from comedy
movies.
An
investigation is to be launched into the sale of bogus organic
meat in butchers’ shops and at farmers’ markets
around Britain, due to suspicion that ordinary meat is being labelled
as more expensive organic produce. 