Healthy Choices E-News

Helping you make healthy choices for life

 

 

March 2005

 

 

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.

 

This month’s main article discusses the recent food scare with Sudan-1 and poses the question on whom we can trust with our health. 

  

Do remember to enter our competition this month if you live in the UK or Europe.  This month's prize offers our popular deodorant, free from aluminium and other potentially harmful chemicals.

 

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:

 

 

·                     Who can we trust?

 

·                     Health Bites

 

·                     NEWAYS Skin Care range 

 

·                     March's Special Offers

 

·                     Competition – chance to win a 50ml bottle of Subdue Deodorant from the Personal Care range

 

·                     Business Opportunity

 

 

*************************************************************************************

 

 

Who can we trust?

 

With the recent Sudan-1 food scare, consumers are left bewildered as to how this was allowed to happen and why it took so long for action to be taken. But this is not new. We have had similar scares for decades. The salmonella in eggs and the BSE in beef scares are just two that come to mind. In both of these cases, dramatic action was taken to remove "contaminated" foods from the shelves causing devastation within the food industry.

In this recent scare, people have been shocked to realise just how many food products actually contain the potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) dye, Sudan-1. The current list can be found at http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2005/feb/sudanlist#h_4. It highlights the fact that so many of us have come to rely on processed foods for our meals, rather than cooking from scratch. Processed foods contain far fewer nutrients than freshly prepared foods. If you look on their labels, you will find a whole list of artificial flavours, colours and preservatives. Ironically, many of these artificial additives have been found to be potentially carcinogenic in animal studies, just like Sudan-1, so why have they not been withdrawn from the market?

One expert who was interviewed on TV about the Sudan-1 scare stated that if animal tests showed a substance caused cancer in animals, then it should never be used in our food. If only the governing bodies, who are supposed to protect us, would listen to that statement! But it is never that simple because the manufacture of chemicals used as artificial additives has become big business. The manufacturers denigrate any study that shows potential toxicity of their chemicals on animals.

Take aspartame, the common artificial sweetener, now available in thousands of products throughout the world. The trials commissioned by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in the US showed the damage that aspartame caused to the brains of mice, including the development of glioblastomas, a rare type of brain tumour, now increasing rapidly in humans. Yet huge pressure was placed on the advisory panel at the FDA for years to allow aspartame to be permitted as an artificial sweetener (its 200 times sweeter than sugar). Eventually, the FDA gave in and allowed it and we are now paying the price for that decision with our health. Where is the public outcry against aspartame? Well, it wasnt produced in India for starters. To read more about the scandal of aspartame see www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/Aspartame.html  .

Aspartame is just one example. Saccharin, also an artificial sweetener, has been shown to cause cancer in animal studies but potentially harmful food additives are only part of the problem we face. To a degree, we have some protection from stomach acid when we ingest these substances. The hydrochloric acid which breaks down our food chemically, can also help to neutralise some of the artificial chemicals we ingest. However, little attention is paid to another route into the body our skin.

For years, scientists believed that our skin was a total barrier and nothing from the outside could pass through. They now know differently and have discovered that substances of a low molecular weight (size) can pass through very easily. Nicotine patches are an obvious example of how this discovery is being used. Without the presence of hydrochloric acid to chemically change the drug, smaller doses are able to pass through the skin into the bloodstream, unhindered. The downside of this discovery is that many man-made chemicals in products that come into contact with our skin can also pass through if their molecular weight is small enough.

As with food additives, there are hundreds of animal studies showing the carcinogenic effects of chemicals we use on our skin every day. See a list of them at http://www.preventcancer.com/press/pdfs/hazardous.pdf . The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identified 884 potentially harmful chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries, some of which were found to be carcinogenic.

Again, where is the public outcry to ban these substances and use safe alternatives? Who is protecting us from the potential harm that chemicals can do to our health? Unfortunately, most of these chemicals fall under the Cosmetics Act of 1996 and it is left to the manufacturers to safety test their products very reassuring!

If we learn one thing from this Sudan-1 food scare it should be this: we cannot rely on our government agencies to protect our health. Instead, we need to take responsibility to protect ourselves by keeping up to date. As E-News subscribers, you obviously want to do that but there are other sources that I recommend you check out, too. Those that I endorse are:

Dr Mercola at www.mercola.com  which offers a twice weekly e-newsletter.

What Doctors Dont Tell You at www.wddty.co.uk  which offers a weekly e-newsletter

Campaign for Truth at http://campaignfortruth.com/Eclub  which offers a monthly e-newsletter.

A statement I heard recently really made me think "If we choose not to listen our children never will". I am so glad that I have chosen to listen and to take action, too, because now my familys exposure to carcinogens has been dramatically reduced by converting our home to toxin-free versions of products we used to buy. I hope you have chosen to do the same for your family.

 

   

*************************************************************************************

 

 

Health Bites

 

 

Vioxx:  Can we trust the regulators?
Moving on from our main article – many of you will be aware that the arthritis pain-killing drug Vioxx was suddenly taken off the market last year because it was found to significantly increase the risk of heart attacks. It is estimated to have caused 55,000 deaths in the US, alone.  Well, the FDA who pulled it off the market have changed their minds!  Apparently, the manufacturer of Vioxx was threatening to blow the whistle on two similar drugs, Celebrex and Bextra (Cox 2 Inhibitors). Ten of the 32 members on the expert advisory panel at the FDA had financial ties with the manufacturers of these drugs.  If those ten had not cast their votes, the panel would have voted 12 to 8 to withdraw Bextra and 14 to 8 to keep Vioxx off the market. However 9 of the 10 did cast their votes and Vioxx will now be allowed back on the market and Bextra will not be withdrawn. 

 

If anyone thinks that governing bodies set up to protect us have our best interests at heart, then maybe they will think again.  Although the FDA is a US governing body, in the UK our own medicines advisory panel has members with ties to pharmaceutical companies, too. We shall wait to hear if they will allow Vioxx back here.

 

Source:  What Doctors Don’t Tell You E-News; 3rd March 2005

 

 

Cancer – a sunshine cure?

There have been numerous studies showing how beneficial sun and sunlight can be to our health, yet we are constantly being told to use sunblock, usually full of toxic chemicals (except for Neways’, of course!), to prevent our skins from receiving any sun.  Two separate studies have found that the sun can fight malignant melanoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  Scientists in New Mexico found that people who had high exposure to the sun were less likely to die from skin melanomas, which goes against what conventional medicine has told us.  The key may be the health-giving benefits of vitamin D, which triggers the immune system.

 

In Sweden, researchers have found that UV rays in sunlight and from sunlamps can actually reduce the risk of cancer – especially non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – by up to 40%.

 

Source:  Journal of National Cancer Institute, 2005;97: 195 –9 (melanoma study), 199 209 (lymphoma study).

 

 

Stanford Professor dubs PSA test 'almost useless'

Professor Thomas Stamey of Stanford University Medical School has publicly stated what a number of experts have felt privately for years.

 

Whilst UK experts have been suggesting that as many as two thirds of men with high PSA readings merely had an enlarged, non-malignant prostate, Professor Stamey goes further. "The PSA era is over; it indicates nothing more than the size of the prostate".

 

Critics add that even after a high PSA reading and a biopsy which indicates cancer, there is still no real indication whether the cancer is fast or slow-growing. By far the majority are slow-growing and, only recently, the Royal Marsden confirmed that in at least 50 per cent of cases carefully monitored observation (active surveillance) was far preferable to surgery.

 

Source:  Icon E-News, February, 2005

 

 

Chamomile soothes menstrual cramps

Five cups of chamomile tea for two weeks can beat the common cold and menstrual cramps, according to researchers from London’s Imperial College. The tea increases levels of glycine, which can ease muscle spasm, and hippurate, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory.  Glycine and hippurate levels remained high for a further two weeks after the tea-drinking stopped.

 

Source:  WDDTY.  March 2005, vol 15 no 12; p6

 

  

*************************************************************************************

 

 

NEWAYS Skin Care range

 

Frequently hiding within the fragrant formulations of most skin care products are invisible threats – invasive chemical ingredients that are often disguised as facial cleansers or body moisturisers. But your skin should be safeguarded from harsh elements – not stripped or penetrated by harmful skin irritants.

 

Our skin care products are gentle enough for delicate skin, yet strong enough to stand up to todays environment. Its exclusive emollients enrich your skin with revolutionary vitamin complexes, natural oils, and exotic, yet powerfully effective botanical extracts. Its incomparable antioxidants and UV skin protectors help defend your skin from harsh environmental elements. Your skin can be pampered and protected with Neways Skin Care System.

You can find out about these products by clicking on the following links:

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

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


Also see March’s Exclusive Special Offer for some great savings on the Skin Care range.

   

   

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


 

 

 

*************************************************************************************

 

 

March's Special Offers

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

 

Home Freshening Set

 

Bring the freshness of Spring into your home with this home freshening set, containing All Purpose Cleaner 480ml and Spring Mist Air Freshener 240ml.  Both products last for ages, are totally free from toxins and are kind to the environment.  For details on each product, click on the website links below.

 

Normally: £16.45/€25.64

 

Special Offer Price: £12.50/€20.50

 

Promotion Code for Postal or Telephone Orders: MAR 1

 

Credit card orders may be placed by clicking on: http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/Month_Offer.html  or 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.

 

Skin Care Offer

 

This offer includes Milky Cleanser 125ml, Bio-Mist Activator 50ml and Skin Enhancer 50ml.  For details of each product, click on the website links, below.

 

Normally: £29.75/€45.43

 

Special Offer Price: £25/€40

 

 

Promotion Code for Postal or Telephone Orders: MAR 2

 

Credit card orders may be placed by clicking on: http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/UKStore/0305.html   or http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/EuroStore/0305.html 

 

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

 

 Offers end on 5th April 2005.

 

See next month’s issue for more offers.

 

 

 

*************************************************************************************

 

 

* Competition *

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

 

Answer the question below and you could be the winner of a 50ml bottle of Subdue Deodorant worth £4.11/€6.15.  Subdue is an aluminium-free, roll-on deodorant containing natural herbal extracts to help you stay fresh all day. It contains coriander, sage and eucalyptus to gently deodorise, and aloe vera to support the natural moisture levels of the skin. Subdue is both safe and effective.


 

Question:  What do the letters FDA stand for?

 

    a) Food and Drink Association

    b) Food and Drug Association

    c) Food and Drug Administration

 

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

 

 

February’s Competition Winner:  Chrissie from Bedford. 

 

Congratulations Chrissie. The correct answer was c) August, this year, is the month when the EU ban on vitamins and mineral comes into force.

 

You should receive your prize of a 50ml bottle of Exuberance Conditioner, shortly

 

 

  

 

*************************************************************************************

 

 
Business Opportunity

 

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. This not only saves money but also provides an option to build a business by recommending the products to others.

 

The vast majority of people who now run Neways as a business, including myself, started off by opening a direct account to make savings on the products.  As the benefits of the products become apparent, it’s hard not to recommend the products to others, especially knowing how safe they are compared with many available in the supermarket.

 

When others purchase them, too, you can earn a commission, direct from Neways on everything they order, which helps to cover the cost of your own products.  If those people then choose to open a direct account and recommend the products to others, there is an even greater opportunity to earn more in commission payments.

If you would be interested in setting up your own business recommending the Neways range of products, take a look at http://www.healthychoices.ukhq.co.uk/Business . We also have a new DVD to offer anyone who may be interested which explains about the opportunity and the need to change to Neways’ toxin-free products.  To ask for the DVD send an e-mail to info@healthychoices.co.uk with your contact details.

 

If you aren't interested, yourself, there may be someone you know who would really appreciate hearing about this, so please pass the web address on to them.

 

  

 

*************************************************************************************
 
Please feel free to e-mail this newsletter to friends and family.

 

*************************************************************************************

 

If you 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

 

Should you prefer not to receive further newsletters, please send an e-mail to: unsubscribe@healthychoices.co.uk  

 

 

*************************************************************************************

 

Healthy Choices is an Independent Distributor of Neways products

Tel No UK:  0845 6442819

Outside UK: +44 1234 851318

e-mail: healthychoices@ecoworld.co.uk

website:  http://www.healthychoices.co.uk

 

© Healthy Choices.  All Rights Reserved