What Really Works - October Online Newsletter

October Online Newsletter – Issue 22
whatreallyworks.co.uk

Message from the What Really Works Team
During October we addressed the issue of self diagnosis and treatment. Check out our latest homepage for more information - including a list of useful articles and factsheets throughout the What Really Works site (under the heading, Helping yourself - Self diagnosis and treatment).

We were also lucky enough to interview Yvonne Dunn, trained naturopath and Sales & Technical Manager of New Zealand Natural Food Company. Yvonne has kindly provided some guidelines for those of you looking into natural healing:

When treating yourself for any condition it is important to seek professional help if at any stage symptoms become worse, or if your condition does not respond to the treatment. If you begin to feel overwhelmed by your condition then seeking the help of a professional is wise. Remember, practitioners are also a great source of support.

Do read the labels. While most supplements state any contraindications on the labels, it is essential to check with your health professional - especially if you are taking medications for more serious conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure. Never rely on unqualified sales staff for medical advice. If you have any queries about a product or its possible interactions and/or side effects, call the manufacturer. They should have this information available and if not, they should be able to find out for you. Manufacturers will also advise that you check with your doctor if there are any specific concerns.

Dosage units can be confusing. Again, you can call the manufacturer for guidance. Because many products contain and recommend amounts which are aimed at basic health maintenance, they may not be strong enough to provide a therapeutic dose. Always consult a qualified health professional to find out the correct therapuetic dosage of any supplement to treat your specific condition.

Many herbs and nutrients actually complement each other to work for the common good. For example, taking echinacea, vitamin C, and zinc together to boost your immune system is more effective than taking any of the three separately. Echinacea boosts the production of immune cells, while vitamin C and zinc provide the body with the tools it needs to manufacture immune cells. By using herbs in combination, you are not only working to alleviate the symptoms, but also to treat the actual cause.

For more information see Susan Clark's article on Synergy.

Remember that you need not be bound to one discipline of medicine, natural or otherwise. Therapies and treatments work well alongside each other - for example, if you have a musculoskeletal problem, you might have treatment with an osteopath or physiotherapist while at the same time taking supplements to reduce inflammation and/or strengthen tissues in the affected area. To find a good practitioner, you can contact the relevant association (see Susan Clark's factsheet, Useful Contact Numbers).

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a reputable practitioner - so ask around your friends, family, and colleagues.

Last but by no means least, remember that the internet is a wonderful source of information - you can find facts, advice, and support groups in relation to almost any condition. However, anyone can post information on the internet - so use caution when using this as a form of self-help. You can usually contact the author and ask for appropriate referencing if you have questions or concerns.

	Homeopathy Zone Dr Neil Slade provides answers to some frequently asked questions about homeopathy in his latest article, Seeing your local homeopath.
	Body, Mind & Soul Zone Yvonne Ferrell strongly advocates in her clinic the use of Spagyric Essences - formulated for today’s stresses of everyday life. Owing to the success of the PCOS essence, the Endometriosis essences were born. For more information, check out Yvonne's latest homepage update.
	Chinese Medicine Zone Dermot O'Connor discusses how the ancient Chinese health care system, Qigong, can be used to enhance health and well-being in his latest article, Qigong -Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Self-Help System.
	Doctor Zone Dr Sarah Brewer takes us through the diagnostic process, step-by-step, in her latest article, The Principles of Diagnosis.
	Parents & Kids Zone Melissa Clark investigates the latest news stories, events and research of interest to families in the October 2004 Parents and Kids Newsletter.

Seasonal Recipe

With Halloween just behind us and winter only a month away, Susan's recipe for Gratinee of Pumpkin in its Shell from her Vitality Cookbook is just the thing.

Crammed with goodness, this is practically the perfect healthy dish. Several of its nutrients either reach or surpass the minimum recommended daily amounts and its high levels of vitamins A and C pack a powerful anti-cancer punch. Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of zinc, which, as well as being an antioxidant in its own right, aids the absorption of cancer-fighting vitamin A. Among its many health benefits, zinc also helps to strengthen the immune system, promote reproductive health and protect the prostate.

Click here to read the full recipe

What's Hot! - Vegetarian Glucosamine

Health Perception, the innovative nutritional supplement company who originally introduced glucosamine into the UK ten years ago, has now made glucosamine available to a wider audience by launching their new vegetarian formulation.

Vanessa Brown, Corporate Relations Manager of The Vegetarian Society, said: “With approximately 4 million vegetarians in the UK, we welcome Health Perception’s new High Strength Vegetarian GlucOsamine. This is an exciting development as vegetarians have not been able to take advantage of the benefits of glucosamine to maintain joint mobility - until now.”

For sufferers of seafood allergies and those who are not permitted to eat fish due to religious beliefs, this product will also be a welcome breakthrough. The product has been certified ‘kosher’ for all food applications.

Health Perception’s High Strength Vegetarian GlucOsamine provides the non-toxic biochemical constituent glucosamine, which is manufactured from a naturally occurring vegetarian source.

High Strength Vegetarian GlucOsamine is available from Boots in packs of 30, 60 and 90 tablets at £10.99, £16.99 and £24.99. Each tablet provides 750mg Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL) and 2mg Manganese, an essential trace mineral shown to enhance the bioavailability of supplemented nutrients through increased absorption.

For ordering and information visit Health Perception online or telephone 01252 861 454.

What's not! - Chemical Hair Colourants

Following more than two years research, a Bedfordshire company has introduced a simple patch test that simply and reliably identifies individuals who may be hypersensitive to hair dyes, enabling hairdressers to protect clients from potentially harmful reactions.

Coloursmart is a patch, applied in the manner of a temporary transfer, which is impregnated with phenylenediamine (PPD) and its derivatives, and resorcinol. Found in most permanent hair dyes, these are the main active ingredients, which can cause adverse reactions. Symptoms range from irritation, an inflamed scalp and blistering to breathing difficulties, damage to the immune system, and even, in rare cases, death.

While all hair colour manufacturers and insurers recommend skin patch testing, in practice many salons do not routinely offer a test prior to tinting, and this is particularly the case when a client has been many times before, with no adverse reaction. In fact, testing should be administered every time a colour is to be applied, even when using exactly the same product, because sensitivities can occur at any time.

Coloursmart is easy to apply, water-resistant and remains in place until removed by the hairdresser, proving that the client has carried out the test. Clients either call in to pick up a test or have one posted to them, for application 48 hours before their appointment. A reaction may occur within minutes, while cell-mediated, and often severe reactions may take 48 hours to appear.

To find a salon near you which offers the Coloursmart test, telephone Trichocare on 0845 602 4638 or visit www.trichocare.co.uk

An alternative to chemical colourants...
Organically-grown orange, chamomile, grapefruit, aloe vera and comfrey are now included in the natural ingredients that make Herb UK’s Tints of Nature one of the kindest, most natural ways possible to effectively colour your hair.

It is believed that this is the first permanent hair colourant to contain organic ingredients. Even better, they are there, together with vitamins E & C, to enhance and condition the hair naturally as part of the colouring process, not just to add fragrance. All the organic ingredients used in Tints of Nature are extracts of organic plants certified by the Soil Association.

Tints of Nature is free from ammonia and resorcinol, and uses the lowest possible levels of PPDs (less than 1 percent), and pharmaceutical grade peroxide needed to fix the colour. Pharmaceutical grade peroxide is the mildest of the three forms of peroxide, used in mouthwash and eardrops, whereas other hair colourants contain much harsher chemicals in their chemical grade peroxide.

With a comprehensive range of 22 colours to either enhance your existing shade or make a more dramatic change, Tints of Nature is only £6.95 per pack. Available at Holland & Barrett and independent health stores. Phone Herb UK Limited on 01590 613490 for further stockist information.

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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.