Health & Beauty

One of the poorly understood aspects of nutritional health is the importance of measuring appropriate quantities of food throughout the lifecycle. During teenage and adolescent years, the body requires an additional resource of nutrients and, in many cases, calories to support the average lifestyle which is likely to include a diverse range of sporting, cultural, and social activities. Depending on occupation and other factors, adults usually experience a sharp decline in their physical activity levels commencing around their mid to late thirties. While many perceive this not to be the case, the objective reality has been documented in large scale health surveys. These indicate a series of common factors which include increased dependence on...

The previously neglected concept of food intolerance has now been widely promoted by medical research into metabolic disorders with a genetic basis. There is also evidence to suggest these intolerances affect the general wellbeing of more individuals than had originally been estimated. Some basic description of events occurring within the gastrointestinal tract can be useful for understanding the concept of food intolerance. Breaking down food The stomach and intestinal walls are designed to break food into the molecular particles which are then used by the body to provide energy, and as a resource for the growth and repair of tissue. Even with the most careful selection of wholesome foods, there are components which are not required and must...

Extremes of temperature, excessive sun exposure and alcohol consumption may all contribute to the condition telangiectasia, more commonly described as broken capillaries. Whenever these tiny vessels become dilated, they are likely to be visible at the skin surface, particularly around the nose and cheeks. The usual cosmetic treatment is known as sclerotherapy. This involves injecting each capillary with a saline solution, causing the swollen vessels to collapse. Most individuals find the treatment effective, however, there is a possibility that the problem may reoccur within a year or two. The best preventive measure is to avoid extremes of weather, always apply good quality organic moisturiser, and to limit intake of salt, alcohol, and saturated...

Ageing is a complicated process involving the interaction of numerous biological factors with the external environment. Along with inevitability, it is the transient and elusive characteristics of ageing that frequently capture attention. Most of us will know someone who appears ten, even twenty years younger than their chronological age. It also seems true that profoundly stressful or sad life events have a potential to age those afflicted, sometimes dramatically and with physical changes that seem to occur overnight. From the perspective of this humble reality, it is wise to ignore and avoid cosmetic products and procedures which promise to eradicate or reverse the visible effects of skin damage and ageing. The concept of eternal youth is...

Newborn babies and children have skin that is delicate and particularly susceptible to environmental stresses such as pollution, extremes of heat, cold, and sunburn. Many infants will suffer from one or more of the common skin complaints such as nappy rash, cradle cap, and eczema. Sensible treatment from an early stage will usually limit the severity and impact of these conditions. Nappy rash Nappy rash is identified by a constellation of small red spots appearing around the child’s bottom, groin, and legs. In serious cases the skin may become inflamed or broken with evidence of suppuration. The usual cause is wet or dirty nappies breaking down into ammonia compounds, subsequently causing bacterial skin irritation. The initial treatment for...

With appropriate medical or therapeutic supervision, dedicated participants of a good detoxification program can achieve improved physical health and vitality. Over time, detoxification can improve the symptoms associated with poor digestion, suppressed immunity, and early ageing. Because sustained changes in diet or lifestyle have the potential to interfere with underlying health conditions, it is imperative to consult a medical practitioner or reputable naturopath before embarking on a detoxification program. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, diabetics, underweight, and those suffering from chronic illnesses should avoid detoxification programs. Exposure to a wide range of environmental pollutants is an increasing risk and concern for individuals...

The mental and physical components of stress are an unavoidable and necessary part of life. Over generations, the ability to adapt and cope with stress, has frequently underpinned the notable achievements (and failures) of human civilization. From an individual’s perspective, there are significant benefits to be gained whenever stress is effectively managed. Learning to balance the positive and negative aspects of stress can assist physical and emotional wellbeing, social relationships, motivation, personal and career development. Stress and our immune system Health and medical research provides ongoing evidence that the human immune system is compromised by stressful experiences and more specifically, the inability to rationalise and cope...

Quality sleep is an important contributor to optimum health and longevity. For a variety of reasons, many individuals encounter significant difficulties in this area. In today’s highly pressured world, insufficient sleep is likely to result in strained relationships, emotional instability, and poor decision making. Fatigue is frequently a contributing factor in vehicle, and workplace accidents. Over time, poor sleep patterns will compromise the immune system and may eventually result in chronic health problems. Substantial funding is now allocated to the medical and scientific investigation of sleep disorders, and there are reliable sources of professional help for those affected. In addition to general medical practitioners, expertise in...

Every so often, there is a popular wave of interest in foods containing natural compounds believed to slow down or reverse the effects of ageing. In many cases such information reaching the public is distorted through the individual or combined effects of dubious research, inaccurate reporting, and advertising hype. Because the desire to prolong youthfulness is generally strong, many of us become vulnerable to a whole range of suggestions and recommendations that are both impractical and unlikely to be effective. To protect ourselves, it must be remembered that no food (or nutritional supplement) is particularly valuable on its own. Effective nutrition is a complex science since it necessarily involves combinations of many different foods and...

There are thirteen essential vitamins required to maintain optimal body function. It’s certainly possible - and indeed preferable - to obtain your required vitamin intake from organic food sources. The key to doing this is, like most things, balance. Eating a balanced selection of leafy green organic vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, legumes, organic poultry, dairy, meat, seafood and cold-pressed oils will ensure most people’s vitamin needs are fulfilled. By choosing organic food sources to deliver your vitamin requirements, you’ll significantly reduce your exposure to pesticides and the various agricultural chemical contaminants routinely used in large-scale industrial agriculture. Let’s take a closer look at each of the vitamins, their...