Wellness Thoughts

I like network marketing because

2009-05-18T21:39:00.000+10:00

Barbara Marx Hubbard:
I like network marketing because, at least to some degree, it transcends the current competitive system. It’s about synergistic leadership, that is, leadership that facilitates and empowers rather than dominates and controls.
I don’t think we’re going to have peace if we don’t piece together the emergent potentials of our system. The pieces need to be networked—and that brings us back around to network marketing. I think it is prefiguring global intelligence.
(May 08)

Barbara Marx Hubbard is author of Conscious Evolution

I personally recommend these supplements

2009-01-25T20:24:00.003+10:00

I personally recommend this for your supplementation

Supplements work best in a team to best assist your health - much like Michael Phelps had to rely on 3 other blokes to set a record of 8 world records!

There are a few high-quality supplements - the same ones that I take daily - that work together as a team to complement a healthy diet and boost your overall health.
They provide the key essential nutrients to help you affordably complement your diet & achieve and maintain optimal wellness.

You'll not only support your normal blood sugar & cholesterol, but also boost your cellular energy - and guard the health of your heart, digestive and immune systems.

If I could only use three supplements, what would they be?

Here are my top supplements, the ones that complement my diet and optimize my health:

Essential Fatty Acids
Colloidal Mineral
Probiotic

Many reputable, mainstream doctors are now also believing and recommending that the best combination to improve your overall health is

increasing your intake of antioxidants
increasing your intake of omega 3 fatty acids

Essential Fatty Acids include Omega 3, Omega 6 and Evening Primrose Oil.
I use it primarily for the difference that made to my genetically-inspired "cholesterol watch" (my Mum's side of the family all have high cholesterol levels) and the difference it makes to my skin. I don't have itchy, flaky skin, my wrinkles are much smoother and my bowels are healthier!

Colloidal Minerals are the best way to supplement your body with the minerals and amino acids that we need to operate at optimal efficiency.
Our bodies can produce a few vitamins internally. It cannot produce trace minerals which are important catalysts for many biological functions, including nerve transmission and hormone production. Vitamins are required for biochemical processes in the body. For vitamins to function, however, minerals must be present as well.

Excessive consumption of coffee, alcohol and tobacco depletes the body of essential nutrients, m made worse by air and water pollution. If you can achieve a diet of organically grown foods high in iron and micro trace minerals, you can correct this problem but I don't think many of us achieve this through our diet. Years of growing crops in the same soil has depleted minerals available to plants and, as a consequence, researchers believe that we are not receiving the same nutritional value from some foods as our forebears did.

Everyone can benefit from a natural form of a colloidal liquid mineral. These minerals originate from plants which absorb metallic minerals through their roots and convert them into colloidal minerals. They contain live, energised nutrients which immediately go to work in the body and are almost 100% absorbable - compared to metallic minerals which have only 2-12% absorption.

If you think you need to supplement your daily mineral intake, we would suggest you try Feroxin. Feroxin is liquid minerals in a bottle which you can add to your food or drink daily.

If my bowels are sluggish, my life seems to go into slow motion. Fuzzy thinking, slow responses, bad temper and a general discomfort permeates everything.
Here are some facts:

About 80% of your immune system lives in your gastrointestinal tract.
500 different species of bacteria live inside you.
About one hundred trillion bacteria live inside you — more than TEN TIMES the number of cells you have in your whole body.
The weight of these bacteria is about 1 to 1.5 kg.
Some of these bacteria are referred to as "good", but others do not provide any benefit. The ideal balance between them is 85% good, 15% "other"

It is this good/bad ratio that becomes one of the critical factors for optimal health.
Lacto Flora is an Australian product combining Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. It also contains a proprietary dual culture booster - a specialised blend of prebiotic fibre ingredients to help stimulate the growth and activity of probiotics within your digestive system. Together, the synbiotic approach of Lacto-Flora helps to maintain an optimum balance of beneficial bacteria within the large intestine.

I strongly believe you should consider using these supplements yourself as part of your daily wellness routine. I know I wouldn’t be without my supplements.

Some important things you should know:

* Our company has the Scientific Advisory Board as a resource to ensure that each product reflects the values described by the Product Philosophy. Consisting of a well-rounded group of scientists with diverse perspectives, the board provides varied expertise in fields such as chemistry, safety, and product development, as well as cosmetic and nutritional efficacy. Throughout the product development process, we will rely on the input from these scientists to help formulate superior products that maximize your health and beauty while minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful ingredients.

* Our products have been approved by the governments of every country that our company distributes.

* Become a member and you will buy direct to the company at the wholesale price, which means you may save up to 30%!

For more information, contact us through this blog.

Teamwork

2009-01-19T08:02:00.002+10:00

This has to Be The Photo Of The Year

Friendship, teamwork, and love defined in a single photo.......

WISHING YOU A GREAT DAY !

Nutrition Supplements Aid Breast Cancer Care

2007-11-17T18:14:00.000+10:00

By Dr. Ray Sahelian

Many women who need chemotherapy, surgery or radiation for breast cancer take a drug called tamoxifen. The hope is that this drug will reduce recurrence of the breast cancer. New research shows that nutritional supplements can help the drug do its job better.

Some background: Doctors monitor breast cancer recurrence or relapse by watching certain markers. Two breast cancer tumor markers are called CEA and CA 15-3.

Researchers from India studied 84 breast cancer patients. Some were not treated. Others were on 10 mg tamoxifen twice a day. And some of those on the drug also received a daily supplement of 100 mg CoQ10, 10 mg riboflavin and 50 mg niacin a day.

CEA and CA 15-3 levels were elevated in untreated breast cancer patients. Their tumor marker levels dropped with more than one year of drug therapy. But patients supplemented with CoQ10, riboflavin and niacin for 90 days also had significantly reduced marker levels.

I am not sure why the scientists chose these three particular supplements in these particular dosages to add to the drug regimen. The important point is that there appears to be nutritional factors that could reduce the risk for recurrence. Women on tamoxifen should ask their doctors about vitamin supplements.

[ Ray Sahelian, M.D., is a practicing physician and best-selling author. He is a leading authority on natural supplements and nutrition. For the latest research on organic ways to improve your health and well-being, click here.]

Spot the Mobile Phone Tower

2007-11-01T21:08:00.000+10:00

Mobile phone towers are the backbone of modern communication. After all, where would we be without our mobiles? But that doesn't mean the towers are pleasant to look at. And, in fact, many companies have run into zoning problems and have had to camouflage these eyesores in a variety of ways to minimize their intrusion on the landscape. Think of the very tall palm trees on the way to Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast!

On your travels, see if you can spot them masquerading as flagpoles, cactus, water towers, pine trees, palm trees, billboards, and fake boulders. They are also showing up as church crosses, and are actually being built into church spires. Some companies are even building "free" spires for churches if they are allowed to put their cell towers there.

(Source: National Geographic)

The Perfectionist's Prayer,

2007-10-21T14:29:00.000+10:00

A good laugh or even a gentle chuckle are always good -- good for your health AND your wealth.

Dear God --

Help me not be a perfectionist. (Did I spell that correctly?)

Help me to relax about insignificant details, beginning tomorrow at 7:41:23 a.m. EST.

Help me to not try to run everything -- but, if You need some help, please feel free to ask me.

Help me to consider people's feelings, even if most of them are hypersensitive.

Help me to take responsibility for the consequences of my actions, even though they're usually not my fault.

Help me to be more laid back, and help me to do it exactly right.

Help me to take things more seriously -- especially laughter, parties, and dancing.

Give me patience, and I mean right now!

Help me to finish everything I sta

Help me to keep my mind on one thing -- oh, look, a bird -- at a time.

Help me to do only what I can, and trust for the rest. And could I get that in writing?

Keep me open to others' ideas, misguided though they may be.

Help me follow established procedures. Hey, wait -- this is wrong ...

Help me slow down andnotrushthroughwhatido.

Thank you. Amen

-- Author Unknown

5 Keys to Becoming Biologically Younger

2007-10-13T10:17:00.001+10:00

By Al Sears, M.D.

Conventional medical wisdom is leading millions of people down the wrong path. Part of the reason is that so many "experts" continue to scoff at or ignore the exciting discoveries in the new field of anti-aging medicine.

Just as they did with nutrition as a new field, conventionally educated doctors are willfully remaining ignorant while sticking to the now preposterous position that anti-aging is impossible. By the time you finish reading this you will know how unfortunate this ill-informed position is.

On the surface, you can observe aging as your hair turns gray, your waistline grows and your body goes soft. But there are biochemical changes underneath that drive this physical aging. Measure and manipulate what happens at the cellular level and you can control the way you age to stay younger longer. Here's an easy example to understand:

As you age, the composition of your body changes with an increase in fat. Measure your body fat and reduce it. Measure your muscle mass and increase it. Now you've changed those particular markers of aging to be more typical of a younger person. That's anti-aging!

You simply change the important physical and chemical characteristics of age that you can influence back to what is typical for a younger individual. As you can see from this example, anyone who claims that this is impossible really hasn't even bothered to learn what anti-aging is.

Today, I'll show you how to test for and then reverse five chemical biomarkers of aging that I have identified as both important and modifiable. Most doctors don't look at these markers in this way. This is a BIG mistake if you want to hold onto your youthful features as long as possible. You can and should take control of your:

Insulin: The overlooked secret to high energy and a lean body.
Triglycerides: More important than cholesterol for heart health.
HDL: The good cholesterol that drugs can't give you.
CoQ10: The often-deficient anti-aging nutrient.
HGH: Nature's master rejuvenator.

Each of these undergoes a transformation as you age. I have proven in my clinics that each of us can achieve control of all five with specific anti-aging therapies. I'm going to start with the first one, which will lay the groundwork for opening up opportunities with the other biomarkers. If you don't take care of this first, it has a way of hijacking your metabolic energies and you won't make good progress with the others.

Insulin. When you hear the word insulin, you probably think of diabetes. But insulin isn't just about this disease. In fact, changing insulin levels plays a key role in aging.

Insulin tells your body to build fat. The more insulin you have, the more fat you'll pack on (all other things being equal). Most hormones decline with age, but insulin increases with age. If you want to stay lean, strong and vigorous at any age, keep your insulin blood levels low:

Risky: 20 and higher.
Normal: 11 to 20.
Best for anti-aging: 4 to 10.

You can effectively lower your insulin with these four tools:

Eat more protein. This stabilizes insulin.
Eat less total quantity of carbohydrate.
Use the Glycemic Index as a guide to help you choose the healthiest carbs. If you don't have one you can get mine here.
Exercise. For the purpose of lowering insulin, you don't have to be too choosy here. Just about any type of exercise has been shown to work, with the general rule that the harder you exert yourself the better the insulin control.

Triglycerides. You can lower these with the same strategies that lower insulin. Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. They are a marker of age because as you age your triglycerides tend to steadily rise. High levels put you at risk of heart disease and can make you fat. That's why it's essential to get a triglyceride test. Here's an idea of where yours should be if you want to maintain a healthy heart:

High: 200 mg/ dl or higher.
Risky: 150 to 199 mg/dl.
Best for anti-aging: Less than 100 mg/dl.

My own triglycerides range around 55 to 60 and I'm keeping it that way. If your triglycerides measure high, use the four strategies above. Make the focal point of your diet natural protein. Protein from fish and grass-fed beef is best because these animals have healthy levels of omega-3s that will help to reduce your triglycerides, not to mention your waistline. For added power to achieve lower blood triglycerides supplement with one tablespoon of cod liver oil.

HDL. HDL is the good kind of cholesterol. HDL delivers life-giving nutrients and helps remove the bad LDL cholesterol from your arteries. Although a certain amount of LDL in your blood is normal and healthy, excess LDL often accumulates in elders. When this happens, doctors often prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs.

But if your doctor tries to put you on cholesterol-lowering medication, be warned. Those drugs DO lower LDL, but they don't increase HDL -- and that's what matters. Whether you have high cholesterol or not, you should work to increase your HDL to above 80:

Risky: 40 or below
Normal: Between 40 and 80
Best for anti-aging: Above 80

The best way to increase your HDL is with high-intensity, short-duration exercise such as my PACE® program.

Another good strategy I use very often in my clinics is relatively robust doses of the B vitamin niacin. For it to work, you have to take at least 500 mg per day. For many, I gradually work up to a dose of 2000 mg (or 2 grams) per day.

I should warn you that doses in this range often produce a facial flush or prickly hot sensation to the skin. It's usually harmless but can be a nuisance. If it happens back off on the frequency of dosing. Try it again after a few days and increase it more slowly next time. Usually the hot rushes decrease as you get used to higher niacin blood levels.

CoQ10. This nutrient plays a key role in supplying the energy that your internal organs need. It's a most critical energy source for your heart. CoQ10 is also a very powerful antioxidant. It can improve your immune system, reverse gum disease, increase your overall perceived energy and can help prevent and even reverse heart disease.

Unfortunately, research at my Wellness Research Foundation has proved that CoQ10 levels decline as much as 80 percent through the years, so I include it as one of your most important biomarkers of age. Studies clearly link this decline to the diseases and illnesses of aging, especially cardiovascular problems. And, more than 80 percent of my older patients have turned out to be deficient in CoQ10.

You can measure this critical nutrient in your blood, but very few doctors order it. You will have to ask. It's imperative you get your levels checked and see how much CoQ10 anti-aging power you're missing. Then you can start doing something about it.

First, you can add more CoQ10 to your diet by eating red meat and eggs. However, modern animal husbandry has led to lower levels of this anti-aging wonder so you will want to go to the extra trouble to get grass-fed red meat. Supplementation with this particular nutrient is also important. For general anti-aging benefits, I recommend taking 100 mg per day. If your level is low, double that. In some stubborn cases I have used well over 1000 mg per day.

I can't recommend general anti-aging measurements for CoQ10 or HGH (below) because those are medical decisions based on your individual case history. Talk to your doctor or an anti-aging specialist for specific recommendations.

HGH. Your body produces high amounts of HGH when you're young, but production declines throughout your adult life. HGH is responsible for rejuvenating and repairing all tissues in your body. As your HGH declines, it orchestrates many of the changes of aging, such as loss of muscle tone, wrinkles, energy decline and excess fat gain. But add HGH back and you reverse some of these consequences of aging.

A recent study at the National Institutes on Aging once again proved that HGH improves lean body mass and decreases body fat -- even in healthy men. Studies also show it improves strength, sexual capacity and physical function and reduces frailty in elders.

So how do you affect your HGH? I've found you can effectively boost HGH in three ways:

Eat More Protein: Since HGH makes you build muscle, and when you eat high amounts of protein you have the material to build muscle, it makes sense that your HGH would rise in response to a high-protein diet. And indeed, it does. This is a mild elevation, but nonetheless HGH is so powerfully beneficial, even a slight increase can make a big difference.
Perform Strenuous Exercises: Strenuous exercise also increases levels of HGH in your body. Now I'm NOT talking about a brisk walk around the block. I mean gut-wrenching exercises like heavy squats and dead lifts. This is not a tip for the faint of heart. If you're athletic and in good shape, you should try it.
Supplement with Arginine: Several amino acids have been shown to boost the blood markers for HGH. But they have to be taken in relatively large doses to work. The one I use most myself is arginine. Pills don't work because you can't get enough. I use a powder at 5 grams per day mixed with water and taken 30 to 90 minutes before exercise. If you don't exercise the next best time to take it is before bedtime. Then you will get a slight boost in HGH while you sleep.

Stay tuned for my next anti-aging installment in THB. I'm going to tell you what I've learned about balancing your sex hormones to maintain more youthful features in both men and women.

[Ed. Note: Dr. Sears, Chairman of the Board of Total Health Breakthroughs, is a practicing physician and a leading authority on longevity, physical fitness and heart health. To learn more, click here.]

Mobile Phone PRotection

2007-08-23T18:22:00.000+10:00

Reports of severe headaches, tinnitus, increasing levels of sickness, blood infections, even depression coming from our police forces who use high powered Tetra phones, or reports of immune system and sperm count declines, or melatonin inhibition, are very worrying says Chris Woollams (Icon UK)

Lloyd Morgan, the Director of the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, states that, “It is my contention, based solely on my reading of the scientific literature to date, that human exposure to cell phones poses a major health threat”. Their recommendations are clear:

Use a headset with a cell phone. Keep them off, except when you wish to
make a call or to find out who has called (a pager can be used for those that feel they must be reachable at all times).
Parents should deny use of cell phones to all children less than 18 years of age.

The UK Government currently advises mobile phone users to keep their call times short. And children under the age of 16 should use mobile phones for essential calls only because their head and nervous systems are likely to still be developing.

In February 2006, a study by Dr. Lennart Hardell and colleagues showing statistically significant increases in the risk of benign brain tumors, especially acoustic neuromas, following the use of mobile telephones.
There was also significantly greater long-term risk: concluding that there was a statistically significant increased risk associated with having used mobile phones for more than 15 years, a finding ‘consistent with other studies showing that risks dramatically increase after six and ten years of use’

Where there is doubt, and where there is quality research from expert scientists expressing concerns, we believe it is idiocy to wait and wait until something is 100 per cent proven or the mechanism fully understood. Frankly it may never happen.

So what can we do:

You should consider not carrying a phone that is turned on. Perhaps you should only turn it on twice per day to pick up messages. You might simply use the text facility.
You should avoid having it next to your head while the connection is being made. You might choose to use a ‘phone with a built in loudspeaker – there is some evidence that you can reduce your personal exposure by not having the phone anywhere near your head when the connection is being made, then pushing the loudspeaker facility as soon as it is connected – exposure levels reduce geometrically; i.e. a doubling of the distance reduces absorption fourfold. There is also some evidence that ‘headsets/bluetooth’ etc reduce personal exposure.
You can always choose not to use a mobile phone.

Consider protecting yourself with advanced technology bracelets as a non-invasive method of applying magnetic fields to the body, including:

Unipolar Neodymium Magnets to emit a stronger magnetic field than standard magnets;
Ceramic Inserts specifically designed to produce Far Infrared Rays with a frequency identical to the sun spectrum's greatest output;
Negative Ions to recreate the feeling of standing by a waterfall;
and Germanium with a diamond-like crystal structure and a unique response to infrared light.

Saying Goodbye

2007-08-17T09:45:00.000+10:00

I've been in a reflective frame of mind this week. I'm leaving one place of work & going to another and find it quite a wrench leaving new formed friendships behind - friendships take nurturing and regular contact - will I lose touch with these souls? That is up to me - I know - and in keeping with my goals, I won't let that happen.

In the corporate environment, a farewell message stays brisk & factual and hardly conveys the emotions you wish you could - so to everyone I leave behind:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Antibacterial Products

2007-07-21T18:05:00.000+10:00

You probably use antibacterial products - including hand soap, household cleaners, and sponges - to keep yourself and your family safe from germs. But overuse of these products can lead to the development of "superbugs" that can't be easily killed by antibiotics and have the potential to spread disease.

The problem, say scientists, is that antibacterial products leave a residue behind. The residue continues to kill weaker bacteria, but allows a small sub-population that has immunity to reproduce at will.

(Source: CNN and Scientific American)

Spicy Roasted Potato Wedges

2007-06-17T08:53:00.000+10:00

We're dieting & I am craving everything I won't be having for the next 8 weeks!

Cyndi O'Meara (Changing Habits Changing Lives Cookbook) has a snack recipe that is healthy (NO trans fatty acids) and filling:

Snack It Out - Spicy Roasted Potato Wedges

2 medium sweet potatoes (white or red)
3 large potatoes
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp paprika
Pinch cayenne
2 TBS extra virgin olive oil

Mix oil and spices in a baking tray

Cut Potatoes into wedges and coat with oil – mix (I use my hands for this mix)

Roast until tender and golden brown (this depends on the size of your wedges)

Sprinkle with sea salt and serve with pesto, sweet chilli sauce, sour cream, salsa or avocado dip

These can be eaten hot or cold or tossed through salad mix or rocket mix.

Enjoy!

Thank goodness! Its got nothing to do with size!!

2007-06-11T14:03:00.000+10:00

Cleavage has little - if anything - to do with breast size. Women with concave ribcages usually exhibit cleavage, while those with convex ribcages don't.

(Source: That's a Fact Jack! A New Collection of Utterly Useless Information by Harry Bright)

Diet Coke - Why not?

2007-05-22T20:13:00.000+10:00

Today I caught myself haranguing my colleague, Angela, in my inimitable fashion, for drinking Diet Coke.

Angela suffers - like a great many of us - from a well endowed rear!
I have a theory - unproven but a theory nonetheless - that Diet Coke is in fact fattening. After all, how often do you see slim people walking around with a Diet Coke?
In fact, a little searching reveals a study from the University of Texas (published in 2005) that reveals that it is a fact! (Dr Mercola)

Diet colas are laced with Aspartame, also sold as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Canderel, E951, etc

Now I find that it not only affects the liver, but is a well known neurotoxin that both mimics and precipitates multiple sclerosis.

There are millions of Diet Coke drinkers that are oblivious to how much they are harming themselves. A can of Diet Coke has less than 10kj, but contains artificial sweeteners, stimulates appetite and increases cravings for sweet foods.

In 2005, it was reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) delayed approval of aspartame (NutraSweet) for almost 10 years, because it was a proven health hazard. When it was finally approved, it was through political and bureaucratic manoeuvring - not on the basis of science.

In fact, Mary Stoddard (author of Deadly Deception - The Story of Aspartame) writes the following "Aspartame can sabotage weight loss attempts" (http://www.befreetech.com/aspartame_facts.htm)

We have to accept responsibility for our own health - and one way to do that is to become better informed.

Support your body nutritionally and you'll find a lot of your ailments miraculously disappears!

Body Lotion

2007-05-10T14:49:00.000+10:00

Every day the average woman applies 175 different chemicals to her body in the form of cosmetics and toiletries.

This body lotion is chemical free -- free from colourings, perfumes, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), lanolin, phthalates, alcohol, soap and formaldehyde

I keep six honest ....

2007-04-29T10:14:00.000+10:00

I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.

I let them rest from nine till five,
For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
For they are hungry men.
But different folk have different views;
I know a person small-
She keeps ten million serving-men,
Who get no rest at all!

She sends 'em abroad on her own affairs,
From the second she opens her eyes-
One million Hows, two million Where's,
And seven million Whys!

Rudyard Kipling

American report draws unhealthy conclusions on antioxidant supplements. - March 2007

2007-03-22T19:57:00.000+10:00

The study on the effectiveness of antioxidant supplements, released yesterday, draws conclusions that do not apply to Australia and is at risk of causing confusion among consumers.

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the study is based on research conducted in countries where vitamins and minerals are not regulated in the same way as they are in Australia, says Dr.Tony Lewis, the Executive Director of the Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia (CHC), the national peak body for the industry.

“Australia has the most rigorous process in the world for regulating vitamins and minerals for the safety of consumers,” says Dr Lewis. “Many of the trials used in the JAMA study permitted much higher dosages than are allowed in Australia and they do not, as a result, relate here. We don’t agree with their conclusions, especially on mortality rates. Dozens of recent studies conducted in this country point to the positive benefits of antioxidants as low-risk supplements.”

The levels of Vitamins A, C and E, and Betacarotene and Selenium used reported on in the JAMA study are all cases in point—many are far above the levels permitted in Australia.

“We’ve looked at all the trials referenced in the study,” says Dr. Lewis. “When you remove the ones that permit higher dosages and disregard small trials with less than 500 participants you are left with only a few that can be applied in Australia. Some of these draw positive conclusions about the effectiveness of the products while the others are neutral.”

“The CHC is also concerned about the size of the studies and the segment of the population that participated in the clinical trials,” says Dr. Lewis. “As far as we are concerned, the samples are too small to assess mortality and many of the subjects were already in a high risk segment of the population which clearly affects results.”

“We often see overseas reports that on first glance sound alarmist,” says Dr Lewis. “However, the devil is in the detail and careful analysis regularly proves that many such reports simply aren’t relevant to Australia. The differences between the strict regulations in this country and other countries need to be appreciated.”

“As with all formal studies in this industry, we will review this one in-depth on behalf of our consumers, but our initial review clearly concludes there is no need to be concerned or alarmed. Consumers are well protected by the systems in place,” says Dr Lewis. “Safety continues to be a primary focus.”

Media contact:
Dr Tony Lewis, 0407 07 21 51
Wendy Johnson, 0414296857

Mammograms THE WHOLE TRUTH

2007-02-27T07:15:00.000+10:00

Having reached the age where everybody encourages you to have a mammogram, I've been avoiding the issue for the last few years. Vaguely conscious of the dangers of radiation that I'll be subjecting myself to, I was more concerned about the pain of having my (ample) breasts squashed flat between two metal plates and you can imagine the imagery going on in my head!

Now Chris Woollams of Iconmag.co.uk released his latest research findings on the use of mammograms and viable alternatives.

Please read his article and pass it on to any woman (or man) that you care about.

"One article - the very latest research. And there should be absolutely no doubt what the implications are for the Government screening programme! I'm very happy for you to take this straight down to the local screening centre and alert everyone to the latest research!!
I never like to talk about problems if I can't provide a realistic solution. So here is a piece on an alternative screening system that is 100% non-invasive - Thermography. "
http://www.canceractive.com/page.php?n=1419

Women are low on their own lists

2007-01-25T21:56:00.000+10:00

Women are low on their own lists. Somewhere below doing the laundry, making the beds, paying the car insurance. Are women more important than socks? Why do we get up early for a meeting but not a walk? Why do we happily spend hundreds on our boyfriends but can’t justify blueberries for our cereal? Why do we say yes when we want to say no? Why do we choose the burnt chop? Because we put ourselves last.

Being selfish used to be the worst thing you could say to a woman. But we’re going to celebrate it. Because doing something for yourself feels good. And if you feel good, you’re a better friend, a better mother, lover, workmate. You’re a a better you.

So exercise, eat well, and feel good. Special K. Remember You.

That’s the message put out by Kellogg’s Special K on Australian televisions, linking with a microsite, RememberYour.com.au

Women are low on their own lists

ellogg’s provide five key ‘Remember You’ tips:

1. Don’t skip meals and don’t deprive yourself. The key to success is balance, variety and moderation

2. During your work day try to get out for a brisk 10-20 minute walk at lunch time

3. Try to get a good nights sleep

4. Remember to eat regular meals and have breakfast every day

5. Remember to take time out for yourself and relax on a regular basis

Here's to 2007

2007-01-08T22:07:00.000+10:00

2007 is well and truly underway!
I hope your welcoming of the New Year was a joyful event and if you were like me, it would also have included some reflection on the year past and some planning for the year ahead.

And I'm excited! This year I am continueing to post bite sized snippets of health information that will make a positive difference to your health - if you choose to act upon it.
And therein lies the challenge - to act on the information, the ideas and the plans we get and make.

My primary resolution for 2007 is to act upon ideas. Apply even just one positive habit to improve my health - and considering I need to lose about 1/3 of my body weight, I've got a few options - and leave this year in better shape than I enter it in.

Here's wishing you all a year full of breakthroughs and breakouts.
Let's live a life full of risks, love and achievement!

Dry Eyes?

2006-12-22T13:32:00.000+10:00

Today I read two articles - both about eye health - and it led me to thinking about crying and eyesight.

Did you know that tears are made up of a precise balance of water, salt, proteins, mucus, and oil?
If this mixture somehow gets unbalanced, you could experience Dry Eye Syndrom. That's the name for tat irritating, gritty sensation under the eyelid. If it remains untreated for a prolonged period, it can damage the cornea and lead to vision loss.

A study by researcher's from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Schepens Eye Research Institute assessed the dietary intake of 32000 women between 45 and 84. They found that women who ate 5 or more servings of tuna per week has much less risk (65%) than women eating only one serve tuna per week.

I should tell my nutritionist, Peggy Lim - that might get us eating more tuna!

What is Stevia?

2006-12-09T08:41:00.000+10:00

I've been telling my colleagues about the dangers of too much sugar and recommending an alternative herbal sweetner called STEVIA.

Stevia is a shrub native to Central and South America. It specifically contains two extracts called steviosides and rebaudiosides, which are 250-300 times sweeter than sugar.

BUT, unlike sugar, stevia does not contain carbohydrates and will not cause dangerous spikes in blood sugar levels.

Be careful and read the labels of everything you buy, including vitamins and other supplements. And be conscious of added sugar.

Vit A for sun damage

2006-12-01T08:22:00.000+10:00

I've mentioned in previous posts that my upbringing under the African sun left me with permanent skin damage and recurrent nonmelanoma basal cell cancer.

Now a new study found that you can substantially reduce your risk of developing skin cancer if you increase your intake of Vitamin A.

Vitamin A is essential to the health of your eyes, bones, skin and immune system. Here are some vitamin A basics:

Fruits and vegetables with orange and yellow coloring, and green leafy vegetables contain beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A
The body poorly converts beta-carotene into vitamin A
The best dietary sources of vitamin A are animal products, such as eggs and liver
Cod liver oil is an excellent natural source of vitamin A
The problems with vitamin A toxicity are associated with supplements of synthetic vitamin A taken in high doses

Scientists at the Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona (UA), USA, reported that a previous study showed that vitamin A supplements significantly reduced the risk of squamous cell skin cancer in patients with moderately severe actinic keratoses which developes from occasional sunburns.

10,000 IU of beta-carotene vitamin A per day is adequate for most people.

Omaruru - Namibia

2006-11-14T19:08:00.000+10:00

The town where I was born - Omaruru, Namibia

I've always wondered what impact the location of my birth town and country have on my health and fortunes.

I suspect not much but that the country and its people influenced my psyche - that I am sure of.
And of course, my skin - I have a lasting legacy of that unforgiving sun with numerous basal cell carsinomas that have required surgery and continues to be of concern - even thought the insurance guy syas - that's not cancer!

Goes to show that what all of us mere mortals now accept as just one of the "normal" things a lot of us get, medicos refer to as malignant and insurance companies penalise us for that in terms of higher premiums.

The sun's impact is getting felt more keenly. Whilst we need Vit. D - and the best way to get it is to spend roughly an hour a day in the sun - please do it early morning or late afternoon.
You don't need to spend time in the sun during the hottest part of the day - especially on the Australian Eastern Seaboard where we are feeling the effects of global warming quite keenly - right underneath the whole in the ozone layer!

Slip, slap, slop people - but be choosey about your sun block!

Watch out for "yeast extract"

2006-11-03T10:32:00.000+10:00

Watch out for the 3 worst types of ingredients that food manuacturers are adding to our foods are:

Sodium nitrite = causes cancer and is commonly found in processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, sausage. It is also used to make meats appear red.
Hydrogenated oils = causes heart disease, nutritional deficiencies, general deterioration of cellular health, and much more. It is commonly found in cookies, crackers, margarine and many "manufactured" foods and is also used to make oils stay in the food, extending shelf life. Sometimes referred to as "plastic fat."
Excitotoxins = aspartame, monosodium glutamate and others.
Accrding to Dr. Russell Blaylock these neurotoxic chemical additives directly harm nerve cells, over-exciting them to the point of cell death. They're found in diet sodas, canned soups, salad dressings, breakfast sausages and many manufactured vegetarian foods. They're used to add "flavour" to over-processed, boring foods that have been cooked beyond recognition.

Once customers learned to avoid MSG / monosodium glutamate, food companies started using yeast extract. Some are now naming it "torula yeast" - still the same thing.

Other hidden sources of MSG include "Autolyzed vegetable protein", "Hydrolyzed vegetable protein", "Calcium caseinate", "Sodium caseinate", "Textured protein".

Don't drink cow's milk to get calcium!

2006-10-28T09:13:00.000+10:00

We all know we need calcium.

We are bombarded with "calcium enriched" products on the shelves everywhere, from milk to cereal!

Why do we need to if calcium is the most abundant mineral found in your body?Approximately 99% of the calcium in your body is found in your bones and teeth while the remaining 1% is found in your blood and remaining tissues.

Calcium helps to form strong teeth and bones
Calcium allows muscle tissue to grow and contract properly during physical activities
Calcium helps regulate blood pH, which is essential to your body's ability to properly transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
Calcium allows for proper blood coagulation
Calcium allows for proper functioning of your heart and nerves

Your bones and teeth serve as reservoirs of calcium that your blood taps into for its ongoing need for calcium. In the end, the amount of calcium that your blood gets from your bones and teeth is determined by the amount of calcium that your blood receives from your diet.

Obviously, the health of your bones is closely linked to how many calcium-rich foods you eat and how well you digest and assimilate them.

Here are some healthy, whole food sources of calcium:

Whole Food Sources Serving Calcium (mg)
Sardines 3 ounces 372
Chinese cabbage cooked 1/2 cup 239
Spinach cooked 1/2 cup 230
Rhubarb cooked 1/2 cup 174
Wild salmon canned with bones 3 ounces 167
Kale cooked 1 cup 122
White beans cooked 1/2 cup 113
Bok choy cooked 1/2 cup 79
Broccoli cooked 1 cup 70
Pinto beans cooked 1/2 cup 45
Red beans cooked 1/2 cup 41

Four additional healthy food sources of calcium are:

Broths made with organic bones
Organic, unpasteurized dairy from properly raised goats, cows, or sheep
Super green food products that contain a variety of organic green vegetables
Sesame leaves and sesame seeds

Eating plenty of healthy, calcium-rich foods does not guarantee that you will have healthy bones and teeth.

There are, however, a few concrete steps that you can take to promote healthy calcium and bone status:

Strive to eat some of the calcium-rich foods listed above on a regular basis. Don't forget to apply principles of how to eat for optimal digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
Do some weight-bearing exercise every day. I don't know of a single better weight-bearing exercise than walking outdoors.
Ensure that you have a healthy amount of vitamin D in your system by getting some exposure to sunlight and eating foods rich in vitamin D on a regular basis.
Choose to eat iron-rich and zinc-rich foods before resorting to synthetic supplement forms of iron and zinc.
Soak whole grains overnight before preparing them to eat.
Find ways to effectively manage emotional stressors in your life. Be on the lookout for a new article on this topic that I will post in the near future.
Don't use large amounts of flesh meats, flour products, salt, and caffeine. Sugar is best avoided completely.