December Online Newsletter – Issue 23
whatreallyworks.co.uk

As you can see from our current homepage, we decided it was time to focus on men. We featured prostate health on our site in March, so this month we covered a much wider range of topics concerning men of all ages – such as heart disease, stress, behavioural disorders, parenting, skincare, fertility, multivitamins & minerals, impotence, ageing, immunity, fatigue and joint problems…to name but a few! Check out our homepage to find out more.

While male health and wellbeing has been in the spotlight, we have also had a great deal of interest in the spagyric remedies featured in our Body, Mind & Soul Zone – particularly the new remedy developed to assist in the treatment of the painful and distressing female condition, endometriosis. Spagyric is a natural medicine that can be best described as a bridge between homeopathy, herbal medicine, aromatherapy and mineral therapy.

This medical system was pioneered by the great Swiss 16th century physician Paracelsus who introduced in western medicine the concept of providing body, mind and soul healing at the same time - a notion which was already present in the ancient traditional ways of healing, such as traditional Chinese, Tibetan and Ayurvedic medicines.

Spagyric medicine is made under strict pharmaceutical control in licensed laboratories and to the same standards of safety as modern drugs. It can be taken even if the patient is using other medicines, including allopathic. These natural essences have no known side effects and all toxic elements are eliminated during processing of the plant, which is based both on ancient alchemy wisdom and modern scientific knowledge. Email yvonne@whatreallyworks.co.uk or visit our Body, Mind & Soul Zone for more information on the specific remedies.

Finally, we hope that you all have a wonderful and happy time over the Christmas and New Year period. Our contributors will be taking a break until 10th January, 2005 - so until then, relax and enjoy the holidays!

	Homeopathy Zone Dr Neil Slade reviews an innovative product range by Kate Diamantopoulo which draws on both homeopathic and herbal knowledge to great effect in his latest article, An Excellent Product Range.
	Body, Mind & Soul Zone Yvonne Ferrell discusses the book of ancient messages - The da Vinci Code. To find out more about empowerment of the man in this day and age and returning to an equality and balance between men and women, read Yvonne's latest homepage update.
	Chinese Medicine Zone Dermot O'Connor looks at the Chinese view of male vitality and the role of TCM in treating male conditions in his latest article, Male Health and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
	Doctor Zone Dr Sarah Brewer looks at the benefit of taking supplements designed specifically to support mens' health and discusses the benefits of specific ingredients in her latest article, Supplements for Men.
	Parents & Kids Zone Melissa Clark highlights news items and research of interest to families and lets us know about new products and days to celebrate in the December edition of Parents and Kids News.

Seasonal Recipe

Right about now we are all getting ready for a Christmas feast – which can often involve a series of rich meals with family and friends. This is probably the main reason why we begin the New Year with resolutions to adopt a healthy diet and exercise more often!

Try Susan’s Dandelion and Pancetta Salad. Not only is this probably the most potent anti-cancer salad you will ever eat, but the main ingredient - dandelion leaves, well known for their detoxifying properties - could be growing for free in your garden. Packed with nutrients, this simple dish can help lower cholesterol and boost energy levels. It also improves the condition of your skin and helps your immune system to build potent antibodies.

Click here to read the full recipe from our Vitality Cookbook section.

What's Hot! - Free Bone Density Testing

BioCalth, the unique calcium L-threonate bone health supplement new to the UK, will be touring pharmacies nationwide throughout 2005. They are offering free bone mass density (BMD) tests to the public, advice on prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and follow up tests. The tour dates are available from www.biocalth.co.uk.

BMD tests are not readily available on the NHS unless you are considered to be at very high risk of osteoporosis by your GP or have suffered a fracture. Paying for a private scan can cost from £50.

There is a bone fracture every two minutes in the UK, teenage girls are at increasing risk of osteoporosis, young women who drink and smoke more than ever before and exercise less are at risk, and 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture.

Elaine Gardner, Registered Dietician says, "There is a real need for education about the risk factors for osteoporosis amongst women of all age groups, and particularly young women who need to build up a bank of calcium in their bones that can be drawn on in later life.

"Diet and lifestyle have a huge impact on bone health and the earlier women are informed about the risk factors for osteoporosis, the more likely they are to take measures to ensure their bones stay healthy. Adequate calcium intake and delivery to the bones is an essential step on the ladder of prevention.”

BioCalth works in a completely different way to calcium carbonate supplements as it contains Calcium L-threonate, a vitamin C metabolite which works as a biocarrier for calcium, ensuring a 95% absorption rate direct to the bones, unlike the 10% normally absorbed from an average calcium supplement. L-threonate also directly stimulates the production of osteoblasts (bones) and cartilage.

What's not! - Household chemicals linked directly to childhood asthma

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk; 23 December, 2004

A study of over 7,000 children has shown that those who live in households using common household chemicals such as air freshener, bleach, disinfectant, paint stripper, carpet cleaner and cleaning fluid, are twice as likely to suffer from persistent wheezing, which often leads to asthma.

Click here to read Susan Clark's article on childhood asthma.

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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.