September 2002 Newsletter - Issue 3 Message from Susan, Welcome to the September newsletter. Before I tell you what's new and what's coming up for the site I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who sent suggestions about where we could track down two of the essential oils that were used in Biblical times.
We are now compiling a list of those recommendations so other users can also source less common oils.

The biggest news this month is the launch of the new Body, Mind & Soul zone which went quietly live this week. Authored by the gifted UK healer and therapist, Yvonne Ferrell, this is the place to go when you need to remember we are all connected, we just tend to lose sight of that.

Until now, Yvonne has been one of the best kept secrets of the healing world - the worry is always if she gets too busy you won't get another appointment - but she has now decided to present her work from a larger platform (including TV) and I am delighted she has chosen WRW to begin to do just that. Take a look at Body, Mind & Soul and send your questions regarding all aspects of spiritual health and healing to Yvonne at: yvonne@whatreallyworks.co.uk.

What’s Coming Soon ?

As you know, we add new content to the site on a regular basis and later this autumn, we will be launching the doctorzone which will include testing facilities. So, instead of taking pot luck and guessing what vitamins and minerals you need, you can book a test and have a doctor interpret the results for you. In partnership with The Doctors Laboratory, in London's Wimpole Street, (a world leader in pioneering new and relevant health tests) we will also be offering testing for cardiovascular risk, sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia, which can affect your fertility and even your risk of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if you frequently travel long haul.

The new zone will be headed by Dr Adam Carey, who you may have been watching on ITV as one of the doctors on Celebrity Fat Club. Adam specialises in nutritional medicine and you can start to send your questions to adam@whatreallyworks.co.uk. He will then answer a selection of your questions when his zone goes live in October.

	In the meantime, book a date at 8pm (GMT) on Monday, September 30th to come on line and chat live with me, Peta Bee, Dr Adam Carey and Yvonne Ferrell; plus other natural health experts.
We have analysed our site tracking statistics and this is the day and time when most of you visit the site so, to join in, come to www.whatreallyworks.co.uk and follow the link on the homepage. As they say in cyberland, cu l8r!

Susan Clark
susan@whatreallyworks.co.uk

What’s new on the site!

You can now search from every page! Go to www.whatreallyworks.co.uk and the searchbox is on the toolbar at the left of every page. Type in a search word or phrase and click 'search'. Also new - check the What's New? page for the latest additions to the site.

New Topics to the WRW homepage if you've not logged on recently include:

Details of the new herb being used to alleviate migraine headaches .

Expert response to the Medical Research Council's new report on fluoride consumption. Click here for more on the fluoride debate. Why you should care about this and guidelines on reducing your consumption of fluoride.

Institute of Optimum Nutrition's response to government restrictions on vitamin and mineral dosages.

Details of promising preliminary trials of a Chinese herbal combination formula to slow the rate of age-related hair loss in women.

Q. Please can you tell me where I can find GlucoBalance by Biotics Research; you recommend this supplement in your section on natural mood boosters in your excellent book What Really Works - The Insider's Guide to Natural Health but I cannot find it in my local healthstore.
Ken Trew

A. You can now mail order GlucoBalance - which contains all the anti-stress B vitamins, plus the antioxidant nutrients vitamins A, C, and E, along with sugar-balancing chromium and immune-boosting zinc to help regulate mood swings caused by sugar fluctuations - from the Nutri Centre in London. 90 capsules cost £24.95 or you can order 180 capsules for £34.95. The number is 0800-587 2290.

Q. Please can you tell me if there is a natural alternative to Malaria tablets. My husband and I are hoping to go to Egypt in October on a Nile cruise and am not keen to take the conventional Malaria tablets if there is a natural alternative.
Pamela Gates

A. Whenever I have taken malarial tablets, I always take a homeopathic remedy to help the system cope with the onslaught and in fact, homeopathy actually has its roots in anti-malarial treatment.

The father of modern homeopathy was Samuel Christian Hahnemann, a German doctor who could not understand why herbalists prescribed quinine, an astringent substance from the bark of the cinchona tree for malaria. He could not fathom why this particular astringent seemed to work where other, more powerful ones, did not and so decided to investigate by dosing himself with quinine which, he found, produced all the symptoms of malaria.

To keep healthy during your travels, especially if you are not going to take the conventional tablets, I suggest you have a consultation before you go with a qualified homeopath who will make what is called a constitutional diagnosis and prescribe a constitutional remedy. Mine, for instance, is Gelsemium, which I take whether I am taking malaria tablets or having dental treatment. Your remedy will further support your whole system during your travels.

It is also a good idea to prevent insects from biting in the first place and you can use an Indian herb called Neem for this. Scottish researchers at the University of Glasgow who have been investigating the powerful anti-microbial properties of Neem have now teamed up with the herbal medicine company, Bioforce, to develop both an insect repellent and essential oil to protect you.

The scientists presented preliminary findings showing how Neem not only reduced the number of mosquito bites but also the severity of the body's reaction so that both swelling and itching was lessened.

How did they discover this?

By sticking their hands into a laboratory tank of mosquitoes and waiting for the bites! Neem is also fantastic for getting rid of head lice. For details of the new Bioforce range, NeemCare Riddance, call 01294 277344

I always travel with a tube of Echinacea cream, which accelerates wound healing, is excellent for sun burn, and will help the puncture heal if you do get bitten. Again, you can get this from Bioforce (01294-277344) who make an Echinacea cream, which also contains wild pansy to nourish damaged and traumatised skin. A 35g tube costs £3.95.

* To find a qualified homeopath in your area, the Society of Homeopaths (01604-621400) has a register of non-medically qualified practitioners. The British Homeopathic Assocation (0171-935 2163) has a list of doctors who are also qualified homeopaths.
* To learn more about homeopathy, Beth MacEoin's book, Practical Homeopathy - A complete guide to home treatment (Bloomsbury £20) is excellent. Get your homeopathic recommendations and remedies from Ainsworths Homeopathic Pharmacy on 020 793 55330.

Q. I am somewhat surprised that you have no information on Gerovital - GH3 gold on your site. Any comments as to efficacy of this Vitamin B product would be greatly appreciated - perhaps in a future site article? I have started to take them, and am fully aware of the manufacture's claims but would like an independent view.

A. Anyone who reads my columns on a regular basis knows that I tend to shy away from those cure-all panaceas for ailments, especially ageing. I am not saying this will not work, only that there is limited scientific evidence and most of that which does exist pertains to GH3 being given as an injection not a supplement tablet.

In brief, Gerovital or GH3 is a modified form of procaine hydrochloride, the local anaesthetic widely used in dentistry and other health disciplines. Its chemical structure is not exactly the same and in supplement form, buffering agents will have been added.

What is more interesting to me is the recent launch of Ultra H3 Plus which is described by the marketeers as 'the next generation of GH3' and which is rapidly overtaking its predecessor as the anti-ageing supplement of choice for those determined to push back the clock at any cost. Ultra H3, which is about to be patented in the US, is said to be six times stronger and to last 15 times longer than the original GH3 formula which was first developed in Romania, fifty years ago.

Ultra H3 39.95 costs for 60 tablets. Gerovital or GH3 is £37.50 for 150 tablets. Both are available from the Nutri Centre.

Q. I am a huge fan of the new limited edition Covent Garden soup, 'A Twist of Summer' (available in shops until the 27th July). I understand this recipe was devised by Susan Clark. Will it be possible to purchase it anywhere beyond the 27th July? If not, please can the recipe be made available on this site? Many thanks
Joanna Childs

A. I am afraid we cannot post the recipe because the New Covent Garden Soup company has a policy of keeping all its recipes a secret. I can, of course, remind you what was in the soup and you can experiment at home to get the same flavours and consistency.

What few people would have realised was that it was the first-ever commercial mostly fruit soup. We used mango and papaya and roccoto red peppers and spices such as cracked pepper and cumin to give it that spicy twist which inspired the name.

I have also passed your request and details to New Covent Garden Soup so you will hopefully hear back from them too. What we do have on the site is a number of soup recipes from my cookbook which is now, sadly, out of print. But click here to check these out.

Q. My doctor tells me I am suffering from dry eyes and that this is the reason I have been prone to repeated bouts of conjunctivitis. I don't want to have to keep using unpleasant eye drops and creams so can you suggest an alternative?
S. Tracy.

A. Dry eyes are the result of a faulty mechanism whereby the tear ducts do not produce enough lubrication to keep the eyes moist. The symptoms include itching and burning.
Vitamin A will help but buy a formulation such as Macuvite, made specifically to restore eye health. It contains eye-protecting lutein and zeaxanthin and is available from the NutriCentre (0800-587 2290); where 30 vegetarian capsules cost £17.99. (See Country Life's Links details below for more information about the nutrient Lutein.)

To tackle the conjunctivitis infection, it is not vitamin A but vitamin D that you need. In a small-scale trial, 41 patients suffering from this condition were given 50,000 International Units (IUs) of vitamin D for seven days at the end of which 29 reported a complete recovery, 11 said symptoms had improved markedly and only one sufferer reported no change.

When you have an infection, a decoction of two herbs, eyebright and goldenseal, will also help. To make a decoction, you simply boil the powdered, dried herbs in water for two minutes, turn down the heat and simmer for another 10 minutes. Cool, strain and you have your herbal eyewash. (Goldenseal, which is a potent antibacterial agent, will stain anything it touches bright yellow so handle with care and watch for splashes when you use it.)

Nutrition and Fitness News with Peta Bee

Babies' Blood Pressure

It has always been thought that most babies hate the taste of salt. But researchers reporting in Hypertension, the journal of the American Heart Association, found that some infants not only like salty-tasting foods - but have raised blood pressure because of their preference. Professor Stephen Zinner of Harvard University gave babies who seemed to like the taste of salt a saline solution, and blood pressure readings were taken a month later. It caused raised blood pressure compared with babies who ate non-salty foods and the scientists suggest that favouring salty foods at such an early age could lead to blood pressure problems in later life. To find out more about salt in children's diets and its effects on health, click here.

Eat Bananas To Protect Your Health

A study in the journal Neurology found that bananas and freshly squeezed orange orange juice could be important in staving off strokes. Scientists who conducted the research found that diets with high levels of potassium, found in large amounts in bananas and oranges, have a protective effect. Of the 5,600 men and women tested, those with the lowest levels of potassium were one and a half times more likely to have a stroke. Want to know more about why bananas are good for you? click here.

Don't Become A Couch Potato

If you come home from work and slump onto the sofa every evening with a bag of crisps, scientists at the World Health Organisation (WHO) have bad news for you: your couch potato habits are worse for your health than smoking. Too much time spent lolling on the sofa and eating unhealthy foods leaves you at far greater risk of getting killer diseases. Find out more....

Out and About From October Peta is lecturing to students on the MSc exercise and nutrition course at St Mary's College, Twickenham.

How often do you wonder whether the food you are eating is doing you more harm than good? Do you agonise over whether or not to buy all organic and scrutinise food labels for hidden ingredients? With a new food scare making headlines what seems like every month, it is hardly surprising that, as a nation, we are becoming increasingly paranoid about what we eat. And the more we are warned that certain foods are dangerous, the more we are prone to lose track of what our diets should really provide: nourishment, enjoyment, and a kick start to better health. Find out more...

Companies who have been invited to take a commercial link to WRW can also submit news and research material to be considered for publication. WRW maintains independent editorial control over the contents of this newsletter, and the information that appears below has been selected by Susan Clark as being of special interest to subscribers.

To contact these companies, visit the whatreallyworks links page.

Healthy Eyes

Country Life has launched a new Lutein supplement to help keep eyes healthy and prevent macular degeneration - but you don't have to have failing eyesight to benefit since studies show taking lutein supplements on a daily basis can also help reduce the effects of sun-glare and promote brighter, sharper vision in normal sighted individuals.

Lutein, which is found naturally in spinach and kale and red paprika, is a natural antioxidant and so can also help maintain a healthy cardiovascular and immune system. The therapeutic daily dose is 20mg but the average western diet provides just 1mg a day making supplementation the solution. To find local stockists, call Country Life on 0800 146215 or check out their website.

Junior Immune Booster

Bioforce has launched two great products for mums now worried about sending kids back to school and all those upcoming coughs and colds.
Echinacea Junior is a child-friendly and organic immune boosting supplement that will help your child fight off coughs, colds, and flu. It is available as an orange-flavoured chewy tablet and so is not hard to swallow. If your child is prone to persistent catarrh and ear infections you need to use Echinacea Complex, which combines the herb with Plantago. Click here for more details on this and natural remedies for other childhood conditions in my new book What Really Works for Kids....
Echinacea Junior costs £4.79 for 60 tablets, available from health stores. For stockists phone 01294 277344 or check out their website.

Crystal bathing range

*Ancient Roots launches a fantastic new Crystal bathing range of essences, sprays, scrubs, and candles - which for the first time harnesses the transformational power of crystal healing (click to read more) with the healing properties of plants; all within an affordable mainstream range on sale in stores like Boots Pure Beauty shops and Libertys from the end of September.

To learn more about this pioneering range which includes rose quartz and rhodonite crystals with rose for love; blue lace agate and amethyst with lavender with for peace and citrine, the stone of abundance with uplifting grapefruit for hope, visit www.ancient-roots.com. The idea is to run the bath, shut the door, light the relevant candle, pour in the bath essence, sit in the bath and hold the crystal, which comes with the essence, in your hand while you meditate. Try it; you'll love it! Prices start at £11.50 for the body cream and the bathing essences are £12.

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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.