Healthy Choices E-News
Helping you make healthy
choices for life
April 2004
Welcome to this month's edition of
the Healthy Choices newsletter and a special
welcome to our new subscribers.
Each month we feature up-to-date information on health issues that may affect you and your family. We also look at one of our many product ranges; provide details of our latest special offers plus give you a chance to win one of the products from our toxin-free toiletries range.
Contents:
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Sugar - The White Menace
Are
you a sugar addict? If you have to add sugar to your food or beverages, then you
are addicted to this white, crystalline substance. Refined sugar,
in its many forms, is considered to be one of the most poisonous, yet most
widely available nutrient-free foods known to man. Refined sugar is responsible
for causing or exacerbating dozens of the degenerative diseases or conditions
afflicting mankind today. Below is a list of some of those diseases or
conditions:
Glucose
- occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables. Our body converts certain foods
into glucose as it is the form which our life systems require for
energy
Dextrose - known as "corn sugar" and is manufactured
from starches
Fructose – a natural sugar found in
fruits
Lactose - a natural sugar in
milk
Maltose – a natural sugar in malt
Sucrose
- refined sugar manufactured from sugar-cane and beet
You
may also see other sugars listed on food labels such as: invert sugar, glucose
syrup, maple syrup, brown sugar, raw cane sugar, honey, molasses, black treacle,
golden syrup, concentrated fruit juice sweetener, levulose, or sorbitol. If
these sugars are listed in the top two to three ingredients, they are likely to
make up a large part of the product eg. a can of fizzy drink may contain seven
to eight teaspoons of sugar, a glass of fruit squash - 2 teaspoons, and a
sugar-coated breakfast cereal - almost 5 teaspoons of sugar. People are
consuming as much as 24 teaspoons of sugar daily, much of
which is hidden in processed food.
The
most refined of the sugars is sucrose, the "white stuff". The manufacturing
process removes salts, fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals making sucrose
nutrient-free and therefore difficult for the body to process. This results in
toxic by-products which interfere with cell respiration, starving them of oxygen
and causing free radical damage to our cells - a bit like a rusting process in
the body leading to degenerative disease and premature ageing.
All
refined sugars act like parasites because their lack of nutrients leach valuable
minerals from the body, eg. it can cause a deficiency in copper which reduces
the elasticity of blood vessels resulting in aneurysms and stroke. Also, sugar
puts the body into an acidic state, so to compensate, calcium is taken from the
bones resulting in osteoporosis (see list of diseases).
In
contrast, a natural sugar like fructose, which is found in fruit, has the
necessary vitamins and minerals present, essential for the complete processing
of the sugar to occur.
Why
is sugar so widely used by the food industry?
The
addition of sugar makes processed food more tasty or palatable. It is also used
as a preservative, gelling agent, bulking agent, and fermenting agent. In one
go, sugar offers tastiness, shelf-life and texture at very little cost and its
addictive nature means we are guaranteed to want more. Manufacturers
particularly target high sugar foods to children and the majority of the
advertisements on television (up to 80%) for these foods are shown during
children's viewing times. There have been moves around the world to ban such
advertisements to help address the increasing problem of childhood obesity and
diabetes. The more sugar in a child's diet, the less inclined they are to eat
vitamin and mineral rich foods such as fruits and vegetables. Unless serious
action is taken, today's parents will outlive their children.
If
you have realised that you are addicted to sugar and you want to avoid
contracting any of the diseases or conditions listed earlier, then there are
ways to curb your craving and dependency on sugar.
1)
Keep a sugar diary
To
understand how much you are overloading on sugar, writing down everything you
eat or drink for a week should convince you. In the second week, start
eliminating sugary foods, or at least cut down on them. Statistics show that
sugar makes up about 25 per cent of an adult's calorie intake. For teenagers the
figure is closer to 50 per cent.
2)
Banish all sugar and sweets from the house
Feeding
a sugar craving is a lot harder when temptation is out of reach. It's the same
for nicotine or heroin addicts. If you are a member of a family, this may be
quite a difficult task as children and teenagers may object strongly to this
"deprivation". However, you need to stand firm for the sake of everyone's health
and explain to them why you are doing this.
3)
Take time out to nibble
A
quick dose of refined sugar causes blood sugar levels to rise rapidly. The body
releases insulin to reduce the blood sugar, which soon results in hunger for
another sugar attack. Instead of snacking on sweetened foods, try nuts, seeds,
raw vegetables, fruits and cheese. If you nibble on these every two to three
hours, you will find you crave less and you'll eat less at regular meals. This
should help to prevent the highs and lows in your blood sugar levels that may
lead to Type 2 Diabetes.
4)
Increase your intake of whole foods
Whole
grains and vegetables are packed with nutrition but these foods are usually low
on a sugar addict's list. Overloading on sweet foods can lead to a vitamin and
mineral deficiency. Try substituting with unprocessed whole foods such as
vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
5)
Beat binges with exercise
If
the blood sugar is high, exercise will help to bring it down and if it is low,
then exercise will bring it up. So if you feel a sugar urge coming, go for a
brisk walk or jog, do a few "jumping jacks", or some "push-ups". You should also
incorporate exercise into your every day routine as this will benefit your whole
body and help you to control glucose more efficiently.
6) Get a daily
dose of B vitamins
B
vitamins can help to sour a sweet tooth and can help to keep blood-sugar working
at an optimal level. Foods containing the B vitamins are whole grains, fresh
vegetables, and wheatgerm. It would also be wise to supplement with a
multivitamin and mineral tonic like Maximol Solutions (available
from our Online Store) as sugar addicts are usually deficient in many vitamins
and minerals.
7)
Increase your intake of chromium, manganese and zinc
Like
the B vitamins these three trace minerals are important in keeping the blood
sugar stable. Chromium is found in broccoli, nuts, oysters, mushrooms, and whole
grains and helps by making insulin more efficient. Zinc can be found in oysters,
fish, legumes and whole grains. Manganese is found in pineapple, nuts, beans,
whole wheat and spinach. They both help to stabilise blood sugar. Zinc can also
enhance the sense of taste and has been shown to control a sweet tooth. These
trace elements are also available in Maximol
Solutions.
8)
Avoid red meat
Some
people have found that eating red meat increases their desire for something
sweet at the end of a meal. By eating fish or poultry, they have found that they
are satisfied with fruit or no dessert at all. This is just an observation but
it may help those who have a strong addiction to sugar.
9)
Read package labels very carefully
Sugar
can end up in the most unlikely items - even toothpaste. So, it is important to
read all labels. You need to be aware of the different names for sugar so take a
look at the list of sugars mentioned earlier. Even savoury items like soups or
crisps may contain sugar, so be vigilant.
10)
Avoid the vending machines
These
machines seem to pop up everywhere, even in schools and colleges. If you find it
hard to pass a machine without buying a fizzy drink or sweet snack, make sure
you have healthy alternatives with you.
11)
Make fruit your natural sweet
Keep
an assortment of fruit in the home or with you when you are out, to eat when you
have a sugar attack. Fruit is high in vitamins and helps you to feel full and
satisfied much longer. It also helps to quench your thirst so should help to
deter you from reaching for a fizzy drink.
Like
most addictions, the first step is accepting you're addicted before you can deal
with it. Sugar is as addictive as heroin but no matter how impossible it may
seem to avoid it totally, it can be done. Take another look at the list of
diseases and conditions which are attributed to high sugar intake. If you want
to avoid any of them, then there is only one
option.
Sources:
CAP
Guide - How much SUGAR is hidden in your foods. Published
by Consumers’ Association of Penang (Malaysia). ISBN: 983-104-061-9.
Health
Wars. By Phillip Day. Published by Credence
Publications. ISBN:
0-9535012-7-2.
The White, the Pink and the Blue, page 112 -120
The ABC’s of Disease By Phillip Day. Published by Credence Publications. ISBN: 1-904015-12-7 Hypo/Hyperglycaemia, page 164 -170
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Can Grapefruit help Diabetes?
Researchers
at Scripps Clinic of San Diego divided a group of 100 obese subjects into three
equal groups: one group ate half a grapefruit before each meal, one group drank
a glass of grapefruit juice before each meal, and one group was instructed not
to eat any grapefruit or drink any grapefruit juice. Subjects followed their
regimens for three months, while continuing to eat as they normally
would.
At
the beginning and the completion of the Scripps study, researchers measured the
insulin and glucose levels of all subjects. When the test was over, those in the
two grapefruit groups had lower levels of insulin and glucose than they did at
the beginning, while levels in the non-grapefruit group were unchanged.
The Scripps researchers believe that enzymes in
grapefruit help control insulin spikes that occur after a meal, which frees the
digestive system to process food more efficiently.
The
result: Less nutrients are stored as fat. And like all citrus, grapefruit is
rich in water-soluble fibre, which has been shown to enhance digestion while
helping regulate the absorption of carbohydrates that would otherwise contribute
to blood sugar spikes.
(Source:
“Grapefruit Diet: Fact, Not Fiction" Scripps Clinic Press Release, 1/26/04, www.scrippshealth.org)
A
group of vets in the UK have announced that booster jabs for your pet are
unethical and unnecessary. Several
have said that the boosters have also caused a range of illnesses. Jabs are far more powerful than the
pharmaceutical companies admit, say the vets, and their protection lasts far
longer than just a year.
(Source:
What Doctors Don't Tell You E-News 2/4/04)
Folic Acid may prevent stroke
Researchers
have discovered that men who consume large quantities of folic acid are far less
likely to suffer a stroke. A
similar result was found in men who had a high intake of B12.
Folic acid, part of the B family, is naturally found in fruits
and vegetables. The US government
recently advised all manufacturers to fortify grain products with folic acid,
although, scientists are concerned about long-term health hazards with synthetic
folic acid.
The
latest study merely repeats findings of earlier trials, which confirmed that
folic acid could reduce levels of homocysteine, now recognized as a major cause
of heart problems.
(Source:
Stroke, 2004; 35: 169-174)
(Source:
Dr. Mercola, www.mercola.com
23/3/04)
Now that Spring has arrived, we are seeing people coming out of hibernation and wanting to exercise. If you enjoy exercise, especially the type which gets your heart beating fast, you may be in need of some support to keep up your energy levels. The Neways LifeSport system may be able to help you experience the true energy of active, healthy living and enhance the way you exercise. LifeSport is for all fitness levels - from novice to world-class athlete.
Alleviate
Alleviate is a soothing muscle
rub for topical application before, during and after exercise. Before, to assist
with warming and loosening the muscles; during, to help keep muscles supple and
after, to support the body's recovery. Methyl salicylate supports your body as
it deals with muscle soreness and lysine and aspartate, an amino acid, is there
to assist the muscles after exercise by supporting the body's
efforts in dealing with the burning sensation. These, plus many other
ingredients, make this a remarkable product. Alleviate may also help to relieve
the joint pain of arthritis.
Usage: Apply to affected areas
and gently massage in until absorbed. May be reapplied three or four times
daily.
Size: 125ml Price: £8.23/€12.28
Athletic
Super Water
Athletic
Super Water combines oxygen and water in a convenient easy-to-use bottle.
It has a clean, light, refreshing taste with the oxygen naturally enhancing
biochemical reactions to invigorate the body. The water is sourced from pure
spring water and purified to remove bacteria and other impurities and the oxygen
is added by a unique patented process.
Usage:
For best results, drink 300 mls to 500 mls, 15-30 minutes before exercise.
Consume full bottle within three hours of opening.
EFA Recovery
Plus
Many
athletes follow a 40:30:30 diet programme, 40% of their calories come from
carbohydrate, 30% from protein and 30% from fats. Most of the calories derived
from fats should come from polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats such as
essential fatty acids (EFAs). These assist your body's aerobic fitness and may
enhance performance, together with post workout recovery. EFA Recovery
Plus contains a healthy balance of omega 3 and omega 6. Unsaturated fats
play a vital role in the body and can help to carry the vital nutrients and
vitamins such as A, D, E and K through the bloodstream to maintain healthy skin
and other developmental factors. A wonderful product for young and
old.
Usage:
Take three to six softgels daily depending on body weight and workout
intensity.
Ming
Gold
Ming Gold is a nutritional supplement with the potential
to enhance energy and endurance. Cordyceps, the key ingredient, is a grass like
mushroom from Tibet and was originally discovered around 1500 years ago by
herdsmen who noticed the energy effect of cordyceps on their livestock. Neways
researchers have combined cordyceps with other invigorating herbs to make
Ming Gold a powerful nutritional product, which may provide the strength
and stamina necessary for active living.
Usage:
Take one to three tablets morning and night. If involved in intensive athletic
or exercise programmes take six to 10 tablets, two or three times a
day.
These testimonials are given by people who wish to share their experiences and are solely for information purposes. The information contained is not intended in any way to be used as medical advice.
Running
On 25th/26th September 1999 I represented Great Britain in the European 24 hour run championships in Verona, Italy. I covered 222.454 km to secure the bronze medal.
In my preparations for this event, I used the following Neways supplements: Maximol Solutions, (1/2 oz. per day), VMM (2 tablets per day), Revenol (3 tablets per day), Renu (3 tablets per day), Ming Gold (6 tablets per day) and Ingenious.
I feel
that as a 55 year old runner, these natural herbal products enabled me to stay
healthy and aided recovery during my heavy training load leading up to the
event.
DONALD
A
RITCHIE
Powerlifting
My name
is Gerald Pilling and I am a member of the Great Britain Powerliftng squad. I train in Bradford 4 times a week, and
as part of my training I do C.V (cardio vascular) work twice each week. Since I
have been sponsored by Neways, the supplements that I have taken have
considerably improved my general fitness and helped me recover faster from the
heavy training sessions.
I have an
asthma condition, which has improved since taking Ming Gold, as I find it
helps strengthen the lungs. Maximol, Anatomix and Revenol have
also helped my recovery and general health. I also had a knee problem, which was
caused by working as a bin man, carrying the bags on one side of my body. I
believe that the supplements have assisted this problem as well.
My coach
in Bradford has a serious shoulder problem. After putting him on the same
products that helped my knee, his shoulder injury has also improved.
Your
sponsorship has been very important to me and has encouraged me to train harder
to meet your expectations.
Thank you
for your sponsorship.
GERALD
PILLING
Great
Britain Team Member
If you would like to order the
products listed above, you can place your order by phone, e-mail or via the
Healthy Choices website at www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Lifesport.html
or www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/EuroStore/Lifesport.html
.
Also see our exclusive offer if you
buy two bottles of EFA Recovery Plus,
in April's
Special Offers.
Postage and Packing
Rates
£1 - £14.99: £3; £15 - £29.99: £4; £30
- £49.99: £5; £60 and over: Free
€40 - €84.99: €8; €85 and over:
Free
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All-Purpose Cleaner 480ml - very concentrated, so needs to be diluted
Spring Mist Air Freshener 240ml - will last you for ages
Trigger
Spray Pump 960ml,
for diluting and dispensing All-Purpose
Cleaner
Normally
£17.25/ €25.64 Special
Offer Price: £14 /
€20.50 plus p&p, saving over £3 / €5
Credit
card orders may be placed by clicking on: www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Month_Offer.html or www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/EuroStore/Month_Offer.html
EFA
Recovery Plus - Buy One Get One Half
Price!
This exclusive offer for E-News subscibers only is great value for money and provides a two month supply of a powerful Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) combination. EFAs have been found to be beneficial in dozens of health conditions and also improve on recovery times after physical exercise.
Normally £82.24/ €101.50 for 2 bottles
Special Offer Price: £61.68 / €76.12
Credit
card orders may be placed by clicking on: www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/0404.html or www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/EuroStore/0404.html
Offers
end on 5th May 2004.
See next
month’s issue for more offers.
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*
Competition *
Answer the question below and you could be the winner of a 50ml bottle of Ultimate Shampoo worth £3.29/€4.91. Ultimate Shampoo is a gentle, deep-cleansing shampoo enhanced with natural cleansing agents, herbals and anti-oxidants, leaving you with healthy, manageable, shiny hair. It is mild and soothing for sensitive scalps and suitable for all hair types. The highly concentrated formula makes Ultimate very economical to use.
Question: Approximately how many
teaspoons of sugar are added to a can of fizzy drink?
a) 7 - 8 teaspoons
b) 5 - 6 teaspoons
c) 3 - 4 teaspoons
E-mail your answer to competition@healthychoices.org.uk
and put your answer in the Subject line. Closing date is
5th May. Should there be more than one correct entry,
the winner will be chosen at random.
March’s Competition
Winner: Jim from Norwich.
Congratulations! The correct answer was b) Between 3300 - 3500 units as the ORAC values we should aim to achieve each day for optimum health.
You should receive your 50ml bottle
of 2nd Chance Shampoo, shortly
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At
Healthy Choices, we frequently come across websites which provide
good quality information about a number of health issues. Here are 3 sites which you may find
interesting.
http://www.aquaplastics.org/english
This provides an opportunity for you to help others become more healthy.
Over one
billion people, one sixth of the world’s population, do not have access to safe
water. Through this aquaplastics website
WaterAid and the European plastics industry are
working together to help tackle this huge problem. Every day you
click on this site the European plastics industry will donate 10 cents to help
Water Aid deliver clean, safe water and sanitation to people in Africa.
If they reach 1.5 million clicks by 22 June 2004 then a total of €150,000
will be donated to WaterAid.
Immogenics is a company which has devised a weight loss programme called Novo. It is designed to suit individuals, based on a simple blood test to detect over 100 food substances that may affect your immune system, triggering inflammation in the body. Novo can pinpoint foods that require elimination from the diet and those that can be eaten with complete freedom. The Novo programme re-writes the text books on effective weight management. This programme has been used by dozens of sportsmen and women plus a host of celebrities. Blood samples can be taken at a variety of clinics around the UK and Ireland or in the comfort of your own home.
Parents Support Website
This
website provides information and support to parents. It is free
to become a member and the large variety of forums
provides opportunities to contact other parents around the UK. Members can
help each other with problems or questions about anything from
breastfeeding to being a WAHM (Work At Home Mum).
There
will be more sites listed next month.
If you have come across any websites which you feel would be of benefit
to subscribers of Healthy Choices E-News, please e-mail healthychoices@ecoworld.co.uk
with the details and we’ll check it out for future issues.
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Do you have a pension plan?
If so, you may well be concerned about what it will be worth when it
matures. The frequent news reports
on this matter make gloomy predictions for the future and many people are
looking at alternative ways to secure their future.
One very simple way to improve your prospects is to start an Alternative Pension Plan with NEWAYS. By spending £124 a month on toxin-free, eco-friendly products for your home, car and family, instead of investing the money in a conventional pension plan, you could end up with a potential monthly income over £15,000 in just 15 years. A conventional pension plan, investing the same amount of money over the same period of time would give you around £250 a month. All that you are required to do with the NEWAYS Alternative Plan is to recommend the products to just 4 other people over the next 6 years who then do the same as you.
How many pension plans have you come across which actually
give you products that keep you healthy each month, and help
prevent cancer and protect the environment, in return for your
investment?
For more detailed information on the NEWAYS Alternative Plan and a
rundown of the figures calculated by independent financial advisors, click on
the following link: www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/Pension_Plan.html
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to e-mail this newsletter to friends and family.
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have any comments about Healthy Choices E-News or suggestions for
topics to be included in future issues, please send an e-mail to: healthychoices@ecoworld.co.uk
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6442819
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