Healthy Choices E-News

Helping you make healthy choices for life

 

 

January 2005

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

Welcome to this month's edition of the Healthy Choices newsletter and a special welcome to all 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 range. 

 

The theme that runs through this month’s E-News is dealing with the health problems caused by over-indulgence at Christmas.  Our main article on Indigestion may strike a chord with some. If you have made a resolution to lose weight after the Christmas excesses, hopefully our Offer of the Month will help you to make a head start.

  

Do remember to enter our competition this month if you live in the UK or Europe.  This month's prize will help to protect your teeth from the damage caused by all those sweet foods consumed over the holiday period.

 

I hope you find this month's newsletter interesting and informative.  If you have any suggestions for future articles, I'd be happy to hear from you.

 

Best wishes

 

Sue Bedford

RGN

Diploma in Nutrition

  

 

 

Contents:

 

 

·                     Indigestion & Gastric Reflux

 

·                     Health Bites

 

·                     NEWAYS Weight Management Range 

 

·                     January's Special Offers

 

·                     Competition – chance to win a 72g tube of UltraShine Radiance toothpaste from the Dental Care range

 

·                     Useful Websites

 

·                     Direct Account

 

 

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Indigestion & Gastric Reflux

 

With many of us over-indulging at Christmas, heartburn and indigestion often become a problem.  The first thing we think of doing is to reach for the antacids.  Although they may give temporary relief, antacids should never be used long-term.

 

Recent research has shown that antacids of all types i.e. the over-the-counter remedies, the H2 antagonists and proton-pump inhibitors prescribed by the GP, can double the risk of pneumonia.  The Dutch scientists who conducted this study believe that by suppressing gastric acid secretion, viruses and bacteria in the upper gastro-intestinal tract are able to migrate into the upper respiratory tract, therefore increasing the risk of developing pneumonia.  Doctors are now being advised to take care when prescribing antacids for the elderly, especially as gastric acid production decreases with age.

 

If you have frequent reflux, heartburn or indigestion, this may be a sign of a more serious, underlying problem such as a peptic ulcer, hiatus hernia, Helicobacter (bacteria) infection, an ulcerated oesophagus (Barrett’s oesophagus) or even cancer.  Therefore, if you have persistent symptoms, it is advisable to visit your GP to rule out any of these conditions. 

 

Other conditions, which your GP will be less familiar with are leaky gut, parasites or candida in the intestines, although the “well-read” GP may be aware of them.  Complementary practitioners are more likely to isolate these problems and there are a number of dietary measures you can take which should deal with the symptoms, if these are the cause.

 

Here are some suggestions:

 

  1. Eat foods rich in fibre – preferably wholegrain breads and cereals

 

  1. Avoid acidic foods like citrus, tomatoes and red meat

 

  1. Drink a glass of freshly squeezed juice made up of equal parts apples, carrots and beetroot.

 

  1. Avoid all refined carbohydrates (sugar, white flour, white bread and pasta), pips in foods, and foods that commonly cause flatulence such as peas, beans, broccoli, cabbage and onions as well as alcohol and caffeine

 

  1. Peel foods that have tough skins, as more hydrochloric acid (gastric acid) is required to break them down for digestion

 

  1. Avoid drinking liquids with meals as these dilute the enzymes needed to digest the food.  If there are insufficient enzymes present, more hydrochloric acid is produced by the stomach to compensate in order to break down the food

 

  1. Avoid drinking very hot or very cold liquids

 

  1. Avoid cows milk or products containing carrageenan, a seaweed used as a stabiliser in ice cream, yoghurt and cottage cheese

 

  1. Take a multivitamin and mineral tonic with added enzymes such as Maximol (available from http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Dailyessentials.html)

 

  1. If you suspect you may have parasites (more common than you would think), a course of ParaFree should help to eliminate them (available from http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Supplements.html)

 

  1. Take a high quality pro-biotic to repopulate the intestine with good bacteria e.g. BioCare Bio-Acidophilus (available from www.yournutritionshop.com) especially if you suspect candida (yeast infection) which is very common.

 

  1. Chewing gum for an hour after a meal has also been found to ease gastro-oesophageal reflux.  Make sure the gum does not contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or saccharin.

 

  1. Take Aloe vera juice as this has been shown to neutralise excess acid without interfering with digestion (available as NewVera from http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Supplements.html)

 

Thankfully most of us only suffer with indigestion, temporarily, but should the symptoms continue for a few days it would be worth trying some of the measures listed above. 

 

If you have recently taken anti-biotics or eat a highly processed diet, candida may be the underlying cause of your symptoms.  This may also be accompanied with abdominal discomfort or bloating.  It is important to deal with this problem as soon as possible as there is evidence to show that it may lead to cancer in the long term.  You can find anti-candida diets on the internet but generally you would need to eliminate all sugar and yeast products from your diet and take a high dose pro-biotic containing acidophilus and bifidus (good bacteria) to bring back the correct balance in your intestines.

 

We shall be covering candida in a future E-News, later in the year.

 

 

   

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Health Bites

 

 

Curcumin May Fight Alzheimer's

A new study by UCLA researchers may explain why Alzheimer's rates in India are among the world's lowest. Curcumin, a spice commonly used in Indian food, has been found to inhibit the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and also break up existing plaques, according to research involving genetically altered mice. Researchers also discovered curcumin is more effective in inhibiting the formation of protein fragments than many other drugs being tested as Alzheimer's treatments. Moreover, the low molecular weight and polar structure of curcumin allow it to penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively and bind to beta amyloid.

 

Researchers point out the logical next step in the process is a clinical trial to establish safe and effective doses in aging patients, so watch this space.

 

Source: Dr Mercolas Science Blog, December 28, 2004

 

Cleaning Products Can Harm Your Children

Exposure to certain cleaning products has been linked to persistent wheezing in young children.

 

A survey of some 14,000 children from the time they were born found those born into the 10 percent of families who used those products the most were twice as likely to suffer from wheezing as those who used them the least.

 

The five most common household cleaning products pregnant women were found to use were:

 

Scientists also found the more frequently chemicals were used, the higher the risk that young children would have persistent wheezing. And that link remained constant, even after other factors - parental smoking, damp housing and a family history of asthma - were taken into account.

 

If you are pregnant or have young children in your home, you may wish to choose safe alternatives to the cleaning products you normally use (available from http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Household.html) .

 

Source: BBC News December 23, 2004

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4115617.stm 

 

 

What Radiologists Don’t Tell You

A full body CT (computed tomography) scan exposes you to radiation equal to that from the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Up to one in 400 patients scanned in this way goes on to develop a fatal cancer; those who have an annual CT scan double their chances of a fatal cancer.

 

If you have ever had a CT scan, you should make every effort to live a cancer prevention lifestyle i.e. a diet high in fruits and vegetables (preferably organic) supplemented with high quality vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, and use only toxin-free personal care products on your skin (available from http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/).

 

Source:  Radiology, 2004, 232:735-8

 

Optimal Omega 3 to 6 Ratios in Free-Range Organic Eggs

The egg of a chicken that lives a natural life has an optimal Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acid (EFA) ratio of 1:1 –1:4.  In contrast, the EFA ratio of a typical commercially raised chicken egg can be as high as 1:16 – 1:30.

 

If you have problems finding free-range, organic eggs then you need to supplement with Omega 3 to help address this imbalance (available from http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Dailyessentials.html)

 

 

Source:  What Doctors Don’t Tell You. Jan 2005, Vol 15, No10, p 12

 

  

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NEWAYS Weight Management Range

 

After the excesses of Christmas eating, you may find that you have put on a few unwanted pounds.  Losing weight and maintaining it can be one of the most challenging goals you face. Neways have risen to the challenge and introduced a weight control system to help you achieve your desired weight both safely and effectively.

You can find out about this range by clicking on the following links:

 

UK http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Weightcontrol.html

 

Europe - http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/EuroStore/Weightcontrol.html

 

Also see January’s Special Offer for some more great savings.

  
 

 

 

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January's Special Offers

 (Available to residents of the UK & Europe, only)

 

ProThin and Shaker Offer

 

If you are determined to shed some pounds, we are offering two ProThin meal replacement shakes and a free Shaker to help you off to a great start.

 

This special offer will save you over £10/ €14

 

You can find out details by clicking on the following links:

 

UK http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Month_Offer.html

 

Europe - http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/EuroStore/Month_Offer.html

 

 

 

** Exclusive to E-News Subscribers **

 (Available to residents of the UK & Europe, only)

 

This exclusive offer for E-News subscribers only is great value for money.

 

Echinacea Formula Multipack

 

January always seems to be the month when colds and flu-type symptoms are abundant.  If you want to avoid them, you may find that the herb, Echinacea will help.  Recent studies have identified the active ingredients in Echinacea which prove how this remarkable herb can stop colds in their tracks.  It has never failed to work with me in all the years I’ve been taking this particular formula from Neways.

 

NB Not all preparations of this herb are as effective so be wary of cheap alternatives.

 

We are offering 2 bottles of Echinacea Formula (VMM) for just £45/€56, saving you over £7 / €8

 

You can find out details by clicking on the following links:

 

UKhttp://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/0105.html 

 

Europe - http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/EuroStore/0105.html 

 

 

 Offers end on 5th February

 

See next month’s issue for more offers.

 

 

 

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* Competition *

 (Available to residents of the UK & Europe, only)

 

Answer the question below and you could be the winner of a 50ml tube of UltraShine Radiance Toothpaste worth £4.11/€6.15.  For details on UltraShine Radiance, go to http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Dentalcare.html
 

Question:  As we get older, does our production of gastric acid:

 

    a) increase?

    b) decrease?

    c) stay the same?

 

To enter, e-mail competition@healthychoices.co.uk and put your answer in the Subject line.  Closing date is 5th February.  Should there be more than one correct entry, the winner will be chosen at random.

 

 

December’s Competition Winner:  Mary from Co. Galway. Her second win!

 

Congratulations Mary. The correct answer was c) The Armenian tea-picker featured in National Geographic was believed to be 167 years old.

 

You should receive your prize of a 50ml tube of Tender Care Hand & Body Lotion, shortly

 

 

  

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Useful Websites

 

At Healthy Choices, we frequently come across websites which we believe you may find interesting and useful.  Here are 3 sites:

 

No Free Lunch

http://www.nofreelunch-uk.org

This is a website which has restored some of my faith in the medical profession.  Having seen first hand as a nurse how the pharmaceutical industry subtly bribes health care professionals to use their products based on research funded by themselves, it’s good to know others object to this practice, too. Next time you are in your GP’s surgery, see how many items you can count which have drug names printed on them!

  

Eliminating Cot Death

http://www.cotlife2000.com   

All parents fear cot death at some time during their baby’s first year. Generally, the incidence has decreased since the early 1990’s when there was an international campaign to stop laying babies on their tummies.  But it never fully answered the question on why this happened or still continues to happen in some families.  A scientist from New Zealand, TJ Sprott, has done extensive research on this for years and he believes he has found the true cause – the gases from the baby’s mattress.  His web site provides a lot of information and a simple solution to this problem which all parents and grandparents should read. 

  

Make Poverty History

http://www.makepovertyhistory.org

We have seen some devastating sights in the past week or so since the tsunami hit south east Asia, seeing millions of people made homeless and thrown into unimaginable poverty.  The generosity of people from across the world to help has been heart-warming but there are millions more who are starving and in need of help, worldwide.  This website was set up to address world poverty and hundreds of organisations are challenging our governments to help make poverty history.  If you haven’t done so already, I urge you to sign up and support this campaign, today.

 

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 them out for future issues.

 

 

 

 

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Direct Account

 

Many of our regular customers at Healthy Choices have chosen to open a direct account with Neways International to save up to 30% off the recommended retail prices.

For £10/€14.50, to cover the cost of an Introductory Pack, as a direct account holder, you are entitled to buy all the products at wholesale + VAT and delivery, a saving of up to 30% depending on the size of your order. You also receive a free, bi-monthly copy of Prime Time magazine which gives product information, testimonials and special offers. The only condition is to place at least one order every six months no matter how small.

For more information, click on the link below:

http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/Direct_Acct.html 

 

 

 

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