Author Archives: Editor

Get younger undies – video tips from fit guru

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London: Make your underwear a fashion statement, with expert advice from Bravissimo fit guru Jacqui Jagger on the hottest new bras for your shape.

Breasts come in all different shapes and sizes. Yet they often get overlooked when it comes to giving them the proper and individual support they need. Many of us have never had a professional bra fitting. We tend to spend hours finding the right shade of makeup or the right style of clothes to suit us, so why not put as much effort into finding the right bra. A good bra can change the way you look in and out of your clothes.

So if you’re more Kelly Brooke than Kate Moss when it comes to your chest, an ill-fitting bra can leave you with little support and potential long-term back problems.

Finding a bra that looks and feels great can make a huge difference to your confidence, leaving you feeling and looking sexy. In this video we have top fitter Jacqui Jagger to show you the most stylish bras available at the moment, as well as some of the best clothes to flatter your figure. She will be giving her expert advice to help us girls look after our breast assets.

Click on the link below to watch video advice: How To

For more information visit www.bravissimo

Luxury spa treat bargains with Preferred Hotels

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London: From Alpine shrine to urban boutique, there’s nothing like a bit of R&R to boost mind and body. Savvy spas found within Preferred Hotel Group properties are combining bespoke treatments and ancient techniques with sumptuous surroundings to recharge and refresh.

Harness the healing powers of cutting-edge treatments by scheduling them into day-to-day life, or for the ultimate treat, take time out for a weekend spa escape.

Enjoy holistic healing at The Royal Garden Hotel, a detox at Excelsior Palace Hotel in timeless Rapallo, or a natural body peel guaranteed to make you glow at Majestic Hotel & Spa, Barcelona. Let experienced professionals scrub away your stress, soothe your senses, and massage your muscles into a state of bliss. Whatever you’re looking for, there’s something to meet and exceed every weary damsel’s need.

Preferred Hotel Group’s world-class spas offer top-to-toe pampering with the following treatments and packages:

Natural Escape– The K Club, Kildare, Ireland www.preferredhotels.com
Located just 40 minutes from Dublin and set amongst 550 acres of County Kildare countryside, this elegantly restored country house is a classic five-star rural retreat and the perfect location for a day of pampering. A hidden oasis of luxury, The K Spa uses natural extracts in its treatments to encourage the release and elimination of unwanted toxins.

Combat dehydration with the Citrus Detox Reviver Wrap. Rich in pink grapefruit, juniper, and rosemary, these ingredients flush out toxins and leave skin looking dewy and revived. Relieve stress and strengthen muscles with Aromatherapy Associates Renew Rose Indulgence Facial. More than just a facial, the treatment includes a back massage using a new rose essential oil.
Overnight it with The K Spa Detox Package, which includes accommodation in a superior room, Continental breakfast, Citrus Detox Reviver Wrap, aromatherapy facial and back massage.
Treatment prices: The Citrus Detox Reviver Wrap costs £112 / €120; The Aromatherapy Associates Renew Rose Indulgence Facial costs £136 / €145

Package prices start from £282 / €295 based on two people sharing a double room.

Glow like a Goddess – Majestic Hotel & Spa, Barcelona, Spainwww.preferredhotels.com

Take time out from city hustle and bustle at the Majestic Hotel & Spa. Located on the Paseo de Gracina, in the heart of Barcelona, the hotel boasts 303 sumptuous rooms. Lunch at Bar Majestic and re-energize at the spa. Protect and perfect with oxygenating facials, manicures, pedicures, heat treatments, and relaxing massages using techniques passed down from generation to generation.

Get silky-smooth skin with the Crystal Honey treatment, a hydrating body peel using particles of crystallized honey which gently exfoliates, leaving your skin lustrous. Or, opt for the Ice Relax treatment after a long day on your feet. Using a refreshing gel of plant extracts to sooth tired legs and swollen ankles, this treatment rewards you with pretty party feet.

Treatment prices: The Crystal Honey treatment costs £92 / €97; The Ice Relax treatment costs £64 / €67

Package prices for a two-night stay in a classic room start from £323 / €338 based on two people sharing.

Heaven Scent – Royal Garden Hotel, London, England www.summithotels.com

Walk through the doors of the Royal Garden Hotel and leave worries behind. With its views of Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, and the Royal Albert Hall, the setting will give you a serene perspective on life. The Soma Centre, the hotels’ holistic health centre, offers treatments with cosmetic and therapeutic benefits as well as yoga, pilates, kickboxing, and aerobics so you can have a total body experience.

Treat the senses with a tailor-made Aroma Prescription Massage using synergistically blended essential oils designed to naturally enhance and sooth the body. Whether you need calming and relaxing, stress and tension relief, a revitalising lift or a sleep inducing formula to cure insomnia, there’s a remedy to suit all.

Treatment prices: The Aroma Prescription Massage starts from £40 / €41.
Package prices for a two-night stay in a standard room start from £418 / €399 based on single occupancy.

And for those looking for something further afield, try one of these experiential getaways…

Hightail it to the Hills – Grand Hotel Eden, Lugano, Switzerland www.summithotels.com
Situated on the edge of Lake Lugano, with stunning views of the city and Paradiso Alps, the tranquil setting of the Grand Hotel Eden offers the perfect location to escape and unwind. Take time out at the new Eden Spa, which boasts a eucalyptus steam room, sauna and sundeck, perfectly positioned to relax by the lake or even take a dip during the summer season.

The Eden’s Pampering Break includes a two-night stay for two in a superior double room with lakeside view, breakfast, a bottle of sparkling wine, three course candle-lit dinner and two relaxing spa treatments. Try the Traditional Massage, to release stress and muscle tension or the Aromatic Beauty Touch, which uses an ancient Egyptian charming technique for deep relaxation.
Package prices start from £308 / CHF 488 per person, including city tax.

De-stress and Detox – Excelsior Palace Hotel, Rapallo, Italywww.preferredhotels.com
Relax and feel renewed at this glamorous Italian hotel overlooking the stunning Portofino Coast and Bay of Rapallo. Recently restored to turn-of-the-century splendour, the hotel boasts a panoramic swimming pool with sea view and an exclusive wellness centre. Book a getaway to this luxurious retreat and you’ll be sure to return home body beautiful.

Dine at the hotel’s restaurant, Lord Byron, where the day starts with a breakfast buffet featuring regional and low-calorie delicacies, relax at The Beach Club or head to The Beauty Spa Health and Fitness Club, tucked out of the way in a natural rock formation. Try The Enveloppement Starter Detox Treatment; a body mask rich in active ingredients derived from freeze-dried seaweed, mineral salts and trace elements. Further enhanced by an infusion rich in purifying ingredients, this treatment will energise from head to toe.
Treatment prices: The Enveloppement Starter Detox Treatment costs £76 / €80

Package prices for a two-night stay in a classic room start from £236/ €247 based on two people sharing.

About Preferred Hotel Group™

Celebrating 40 years of excellence, Preferred Hotel Group is proud to be a global leader in the hospitality industry, delivering high-performance sales, marketing and technology solutions to more than 700 independent hotels and resorts in over 75 countries. Its family of brands represents a collection of the finest hotels in the world and include: Preferred Hotels® & Resorts www.PreferredHotels.com, Preferred Boutique™ www.PreferredBoutique.com, Summit Hotels & Resorts™ www.SummitHotels.com, Sterling Hotels™ (www.SterlingHotels.com) and Historic Hotels of America™ www.HistoricHotels.org. For more information please visit www.PreferredHotelGroup.com.
In Autumn 2007, the company entered the luxury real estate market with the launch of Preferred Residences™ – a membership and exchange program for luxury shared ownership resorts that provide an exceptional level of service and amenities. Properties are held to exacting standards derived from the same Preferred Global Standards of Excellence™ on which the company has built its 40-year heritage in the hospitality industry. For more information please visit www.PreferredResidences.com.

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Botox must carry highest health warning

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New York: Allergan Inc.’s wrinkle smoother Botox must carry the strictest warning about the risk of potentially deadly botulism, US regulators have ordered.

The new caution applies to all botulinum toxins used to relax the muscles that cause forehead lines or to treat spasms of neurological disorders, the Food and Drug Administration said today in a notice posted on its Web site. Doctors and patients should watch for side effects and shouldn’t interchange different botulinum products, the agency said.

Botox has about 83 percent of the global market for so- called neurotoxins, with sales of $1.31 billion last year. The FDA raised concerns about the drug’s safety in February 2008.

Another brand of the drug, Dysport, a competing toxin has also received FDA approval with the stricter warning.

“With the approval of another botulinum toxin, the FDA’s request for updated class safety labeling and the reinforcement of non-interchangeability is timely and responsible,” said Sef Kurstjens, Allergan’s chief medical officer, in a statement.

Almost 2.5 million Americans had Botox injections last year for cosmetic purposes, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, based in Garden Grove, California. The drug was approved in 1991 for medical uses and in 2002 as a wrinkle smoother. It became fashionable among aging celebrities as a nonsurgical way to appear younger.

Botulism poisoning can occur if the toxin spreads beyond the site of the injection, leading to muscle weakness or difficulty swallowing and breathing.

Most side effects have been reported following treatment of arm and leg spasms, a use not approved by the FDA, and a neck- twisting disorder called cervical dystonia. The agency ordered manufacturers to better explain these dangers to doctors and patients and to implement new programs to minimize risks.

Solstice Neurosciences Inc., a closely held company in Malvern, Pennsylvania, sells a botulinum toxin called Myobloc in the U.S. for cervical dystonia.

Boots face cream does reduce wrinkles, scientists prove

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London: Scientists claim that long term use of the Boots No7 anti-aging serum reduces facial wrinkles.

In a study carried out by Manchester University, tests on 60 volunteers aged between 45 and 60, showed that the serum can fight sun damage if used continuously over a period of several months.

The product flew off the shelves two years ago when a BBC Horizon programme called attention to its ability to fight against photoageing.

Now the researchers led by Professor Chris Griffiths at Manchester University, UK, has investigated the effect of the cream over a 6 and 12 month period.

The volunteers used the test product (Boots No7 Protect and Perfect Beauty Serum) and another 30 the product without the complex of anti-ageing actives.

Subjects were asked to apply the products daily on the face and hands for 6 months and assessments were performed at 1, 3 and 6 months.

According to the results, after 6 months there was a noticeable clinical improvement compared to base levels in facial wrinkles in 43 percent of those treated with the test product and only 22 per cent of those treated with the vehicle.

Comparisons between the groups at this stage were not significant, but with larger subject numbers 6 months could provide evidence of clinical improvement, the researchers suggested.

However, after 12 months of product use, 70 per cent of subjects using the test product experienced improvements in facial wrinkles, compared to only 33 per cent of the vehicle group; leading the researchers to conclude that the test product decreased facial wrinkles significantly in comparison to the control.

The team claim this is the first study of its kind on a commercially available anti-ageing formulation and refer to a ‘relative lack of published long-term studies to demonstrate product performance’.

“Very few over-the-counter cosmetic ‘anti-ageing’ products have been subjected to a rigorous, scientific trial to prove their effectiveness,” said Griffiths.

“Although prescription retinoids can have a reparative effect on photo-aged skin, there is scant evidence that any of the plethora of cosmetic ‘anti-ageing’ products can produce similar effects,” he added.

The study published in the British Journal of Dermatology was funded by Alliance Boots, manufacturer of the tested product.

However, the authors confirmed that the trial was properly conducted: subjects had been randomly assigned either the test product or the vehicle; and volunteers, investigators and independent statistician were blind to the assignment until after the completion of the study. In addition, Griffiths maintained the results would have been published in a peer reviewed journal regardless of their findings.

Source: British Journal of Dermatology
Published Online: Apr 28 2009. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09216.x
A cosmetic ‘anti-ageing’ product improves photoaged skin: a double blind, randomized controlled trial
R.E.B. Watson, S. Ogden, L.F. Cotterell, J.J. Bowden, J.Y. Bastrilles, S.P. Long, C.E.M. Griffiths

New vegetarian Omega 3 launches

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London: New vegetarian omega-3 brand Echiomega is five times more effective than flaxseed, according to new research

Igennus has launched Echiomega, a new vegetarian omega 3 supplement that offers similar health benefits to oily fish. While most vegetarian-derived omega 3 oils only offer the benefits of short chain fatty acids, Echiomega, made from Croda Health Care’s IncromegaÔ V3 echium oil product, converts to long chain fatty acids up to 5 times greater than other vegetarian omega 3 oils.

Echium oil is obtained by refining oil extracted from the seeds of the Echium plantagineum plant (pictured above), a species of the Boraginaceae family, cultivated in the UK

Dr David Cherry, Vice President of Croda Health Care, said: “Now that Croda Health Care’s IncromegaÔ V3 has its Novel Foods approval we are delighted that Igennus is using it in their new supplement Echiomega. IncromegaÔ V3, which goes through Croda’s advanced Super Refining® process, was developed following years of dedicated research into alternative polyunsaturated fatty acids and fatty acid sources.

“Vegetarians, and particularly vegans, consume low levels of essential long-chain fatty acids in comparison to fish eating populations. Whilst supplementing with the oils found in flaxseed increases their consumption levels slightly, they remain significantly lower than those of fish eaters. The nutritional industry has, therefore, long searched for a vegetarian polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acid such as the type provided in Echiomega.”

Dr Jav Nazemi, CEO of Igennus, said: “As Igennus already produced Vegepa, a pure pharmaceutical-grade fish oil supplement, we identified a great demand for a plant-based omega 3 source to cater for vegetarians, and those who prefer not to consume their recommended weekly intake of oily fish.

Echiomega caters perfectly for this market, and is already approved by the Vegetarian Society.” Echiomega is priced at £11.70 for 60 softgel capsules.

· For more information about Incromega V3Ô and fish oil supplements visit www.croda.com

· Echium:

o Echium plantagineum (Purplu Viper’s Bugloss) is a species of Echium. It is an annual or biennial plant growing 20-60 cm tall, with rough, hairy, lanceolate leaves up to 14 cm long. The flowers are purple, 15-20 mm long, with all the stamens protruding, and borne on a branched spike.

· Echium Oil and Benefits:

o Echium oil is a vegetable oil rich in stearidonic acid, an omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that the body converts to longer chain Omega 3 fatty acids, such as Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosapentaenoic Acid (DHA). It is obtained by refining oil extracted from the seeds of the Echium plantagineum plant, a species of the Boraginaceae family, cultivated in the UK.

o EPA is essential for the regulation of brain functioning and plays an important role in controlling the inflammatory and immune systems. While DHA is beneficial for maternal supplementation for infant development, eye health, depression and improving cognitive functions – especially in the elderly.

· Omega 3 and The Western Diet

o The human body requires adequate amounts of omega 3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for healthy brain and immune function, cardiovascular health and inflammatory response. The highest yielding source is found in oily fish, whereas vegetarian sources of omega 3 (such as nuts, seeds and flaxseed oil) contain high levels of the short-chain omega 3, alpha linolenic acid (ALA). Unfortunately, it must first of all be converted into the long-chain fats before it can offer benefits such as the regulation of inflammation, immunity and cardiovascular health.

o Due to changes in the modern diet and lifestyle we are exposed to several inhibiting factors – including caffeine, alcohol, deficiencies of vitamins and minerals, viruses and stress, which means that many people cannot convert short-chain fatty acids into the more important long-chain fatty acids. As a result, it can be difficult for vegetarians and vegans to maintain sufficient amounts of the beneficial long-chain omega 3s in their diets. Therefore, The Food Standards Agency currently limits omega 3 health claims (including heart and joint health) to the long-chain omega 3 fatty acids typically found in oily fish.

· Croda Health Care’s Super Refined Process:

o Croda’s growing range of Super Refined® products offer more options for formulation purity. The purity afforded by Croda’s proprietary Super Refining® process helps to maintain an API’s chemical profile, reducing the chances for oxidation and offering the promise of an extended shelf life. Starting with Super Refined® Oils in the 1990’s, the range of Super Refined® products keeps growing, now including PEGs, Polysorbate 20, 60 & 80 and our newest product – Super Refined® Arlasolve™ DMI. With such a wide range of choices, Croda offers even more high purity options for parenteral, oral and topical applications.

Top tips on how to avoid gardening back pain

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London: Eight out of ten people in the UK suffer from back pain* and more than half put their aches and pains down to gardening**, according to experts.

And those who suddenly take up gardening as a way of getting exercise*** are most at risk. So the specialist back advice website, www.backadvice.info is offering practical advice and tips on ways to garden your way to better health without letting your back take the strain.

Whether mowing the lawn, planting a flower border or painting the fence, gardening de-stresses the mind and provides a great workout for the whole body to boost all round wellbeing. Gardening can even rival jogging or aerobics as a full-body fitness booster. It works a number of different muscle groups, burns calories – up to 318kcals an hour**** – and incorporates other important elements of accepted exercise regimes, such as stretching, repetition and even resistance training.

But it’s important to remember that gardening can be just as challenging as any other exercise and unless steps are taken to protect the body, different muscles and joints can be put under strain. To help Britons protect their backs, www.backadvice.info has some new handy health commandments that everyone should consider before reaching for the rake:

o Prepare the body – just as you would with any exercise, put a little time aside before and after each gardening session to warm up and cool down. Decide on a regime and make it a habit every time you garden. Lay on your back on the floor with your legs crossed and pull the knees towards the chest with the arms to give the lower back a good stretch

o Keep pace – while the satisfaction of seeing the garden looking pristine may motivate you to spend entire days digging and planting, it’s important not to overdo it. Divide work into manageable loads and spread this over a few days, and remember to take regular breaks – use the time to re-hydrate with sips of water as this too can help stave off back pain!

o Variety is the spice of life – each time you garden, consider rotating tasks so you work the whole body without putting too much strain on one set of muscles. Try five minutes of mowing and then five minutes of weeding

o Ease the strain – change your position regularly to take the pressure off your back. Prolonged activities where your back is bent can weaken the muscles and leave them susceptible to injury – use a mixture of positions such as sitting, crouching, kneeling and standing

o Recovery time – a nice hot bath at the end of the day, can be incredibly relaxing for the muscles (particularly if your back has been exposed to the cold)

A good night’s sleep on a mattress offering full support for the back is also a must. TEMPUR Mattresses offer the body full support, keeping the spine aligned in the anatomically correct position and relieving pressure off of tired muscles and joints

o Heave ho – ensuring you lift correctly – and only as much as you can handle – is key to protecting your back in the garden. If you are lifting something heavy, keep your back straight, bend from your knees and use your legs (never your back!)

Bending from the knees is also an important tip when digging – remember to work the legs more than the back and bending forward from the hips not the waist to keep the back straight

www.backadvice.info is home to a host of practical advice to help individuals manage back pain on a day-to-day basis, whether at home, work or play. The site offers a wealth of information on the causes of back pain, as well as conventional and alternative treatments, preventative measures and exercises to help ease the pain. Osteopath Geoffrey Montague-Smith is available to provide professional guidance and answer any tricky questions you have about your own back pain.

Visit the site at www.backadvice.info . For more information about TEMPUR products, visit www.tempur.co.uk

References:
* www.gnn.gov.uk
** www.news.bbc.co.uk
***www.thisislondon.co.uk
**** www.eatwell.gov.uk

Notes to editors:
1. ‘Back on Track’ Guide
o A free consumer advice, ‘Back on Track’, to help those with back pain to combat the symptoms is available by calling: 08000 111081 or emailing: backpainadvice@tempur.co.uk

2. About TEMPUR

o TEMPUR Products conform to and support the individual user by evenly distributing body weight

o The basis for the TEMPUR pressure relieving material was originally developed by NASA to protect astronauts against G Forces during lift off and re-entry to the earth’s atmosphere. Today TEMPUR is the only producer of mattresses and pillows worldwide to be endorsed by NASA and certified by the Space Foundation

o TEMPUR has more than 70,000 medical customers including hospitals, physiotherapists, and medical practitioners

o A trial at the Institution for Clinical & Physiological Research at the Lillhagen Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden tested 23,000 patients over an eight year period of home and clinical use of the TEMPUR Mattress and Pillow. Patients suffered less pain, experienced enhanced deep sleep, and an 83% reduction in tossing and turning when using TEMPUR Products

o A whole host of celebrities are now claiming they have found the perfect sleeping partner – their TEMPUR Mattress including George Michael, Jane Seymour, Paris Hilton, The England Rugby Team, Paul McCartney, David Blaine, The Ozbournes, Kyran Bracken, Claire Sweeney, Charlie Dimmock, Susan Hampshire and Noel Gallagher

o TEMPUR Mattress prices start from £675, and TEMPUR Pillows are priced from £74.95. For more information about TEMPUR Products, call 08000 111081 or visit www.tempur.co.uk

MS suffererers may be able to use own stem cells

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San Diego: Stem cells taken from the fat tissue of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may help treat the disease, suggests a preliminary study of three patients.

The successful use of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells in these patients shows that further clinical studies should be conducted into the use of SVF cells to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases, the researchers said.

“All three patients in our study showed dramatic improvement in their condition after the course of SVF therapy. While obviously no conclusions in terms of therapeutic efficacy can be drawn from these reports, this first clinical use of fat stem cells for treatment of MS supports further investigation into this very simple and easily-implementable treatment methodology,” Dr. Boris Minev, division of neurosurgery at the University of California, San Diego, said in a news release.

In people with MS, the immune system attacks and destroys the myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerves cells. It’s believed that SVF cells, and other stem cells, may limit this immune reaction and promote the growth of new myelin.

“None of the presently available MS treatments selectively inhibit the immune attack against the nervous system, nor do they stimulate regeneration of previously damaged tissue. We’ve shown that SVF cells may fill this therapeutic gap,” Minev said.

The study was published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about MS. Go to: www.ninds.nih.gov

Italian becomes first Nobel Prize centenarian

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Rita Levi-Montalcini this week become the first Nobel Prize-winner to reach the age of 100. And her longevity and mental vigor is said to be attributed to daily doses of nerve growth factor (NGF), the discovery that made her name.

Dr Levi-Montalcini, who was born in 1909, was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize for Medicine with American, Stanley Cohen, for their research into NGF: the proteins and amino-acids which enable the cells of the nervous system to grow and take on specialised tasks.

Italian-born Dr Levi-Montalcini, a neurologist and development biologist, still works every day at the European Brain Research Institute, which she founded in Rome.

She said: “If I’m not mistaken,” she said, “I can say my mental capacity is greater than when I was 20 because it has been enriched by so many experiences, in the same way that my curiosity and desire to be close to those who suffer has not diminished.”

Dr Levi-Montalcini is reputed to take daily doses of NGF, which was discovered in 1979, in the form of eye drops.
NGF is believed to have an important role in the peripheral nervous system, but then it emerged that it has a very important role in the brain and helps preserve neuron integrity.

The Italian Government recently granted her research institute €500,000 (£448,000) to continue its work.

Born in Turin , Dr Levi-Montalcini was from a cultured Jewish family in Turin in 1909, the daughter of an electrical engineer and a painter. Defying her father’s wishes, she went to medical school and graduated in 1936.

She immediately enrolled as a postgraduate, but in the same year Mussolini published his Manifesto for the Defence of the Race, followed in 1938 by new laws banning “inferior races” from education and forcing her out of university.

She fled to Belgium to continue her studies, but the imminent invasion of the Nazis in 1940 forced her to return to Turin, where she constructed a laboratory in her bedroom. When the Allies bombed the city in 1941, she fled to the countryside and built another lab in a country cottage.

Then the German invasion of Italy in 1943 sent her fleeing to Florence, where she lived incognito until the war’s end, working as a nurse and doctor among the disease-ridden refugees. After the war she accepted an invitation to study in America, where in the subsequent decades her most important work was done. She only returned to Italy full time after she retired in 1977.

Dr Levi-Montalcini was made a senator for life in 2001 and from 2005 to 2007 she played a vital role in supporting the centre-left government of Romano Prodi, which had a wafer-thin Senate majority and needed every vote to stay afloat. Despite her age, Dr Levi-Montalcini never failed it, earning the wrath of the right-wing opposition in the process.

Blueberries may prevent belly fat and diabetes

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New Orleans: New research has revealed that blueberries may contain phytochemicals that reduce several cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The discovery was made during a study performed in laboratory rats. While the animal findings suggest blueberries may be protective against two health conditions that affect millions of Americans, more research should be done.

The researchers studied the effect of blueberries (freeze dried blueberries crushed into a powder) that were mixed into the rat diet, as part of either a low- or high-fat diet. They performed many comparisons between the rats consuming the test diets and the control rats receiving no blueberry powder. All the rats were from a research breed that is prone to being severely overweight.

In all, after 90 days, the rats that received the blueberry-enriched powder, measured as 2 percent of their diet, had less abdominal fat, lower triglycerides, lower cholesterol, and improved fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity, which are measures of how well the body processes glucose for energy.

While regular blueberry intake reduced these risks for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, the health benefits were even better when combined with a low-fat diet.

In addition to all the other health benefits, the group that consumed a low-fat diet had lower body weight, lower total fat mass and reduced liver mass, than those who ate a high fat diet. An enlarged liver is linked to obesity and insulin resistance, a hallmark of diabetes.

The rats in the study were similar to Americans who suffer fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome as a result of high-fat diets and obesity. Metabolic syndrome is a group of health problems that include too much fat around the waist, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, high triglycerides, and together these conditions increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.

Actress Jane Asher launches brain research appeal

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London: The Parkinson’s Disease Society (PDS) is launching a nationwide appeal today for people with and without Parkinson’s disease to donate their brains to research and help discover a cure for the condition which affects one in 500 people.

Research using donated brain tissue has already led to important breakthroughs in the treatment and understanding of Parkinson’s including the development of anti-Parkinson’s drug, levodopa which has revolutionised the way symptoms are controlled.

However, only 1,000 people in the UK have currently joined the Parkinson’s Brain Donor Register to donate their brain for scientific research. The PDS, which is launching the Parkinson’s Brain Donor Appeal in its 40th Anniversary year, wants to double the number of brain donors to 2,000 by the end of 2009.

The prospect of brain donation maybe daunting so the PDS are inviting you to submit your questions and concerns about brain donation.

Are you interested in knowing how donating your brain will help research? What exactly will happen to your brain? How might your family feel about you donating your brain? Why does it seem easier to imagine donating your heart or kidney, rather than your brain?

Jane Asher and John Stapleton are among well known supporters who are committing to donating their brains to research into the condition.

For more information about the Parkinson’s Brain Donor Appeal visit: www.parkinsons.org.uk/brainbank

Eye harm warning over fake lashes

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London: Eye doctors today warned that the craze for eyelash extensions may cause permanent lash damage.

False eyelashes have been around for years, and while they are more popular than ever, a new craze for semi-permanent eyelash extensions is also emerging thanks to celebrity fans like Cheryl Cole.

Yet while there is a growing trend for long, luscious lashes, eye experts at the College of Optometrists are warning women not to put fashion before their eye health when choosing to embrace the Cheryl look.

Unlike false eyelashes, where synthetic lashes are applied to the eyelid and then removed after usage, eyelash extensions are applied directly to the natural eyelash with a bonding agent and can last up to six weeks. These bonding agents and glues are irritants and can cause discomfort and potential eye damage in severe cases.

Repeated use of eyelash extensions can cause Traction Alopecia, a condition where the hair falls out due to excessive tension placed on the hair shaft. As a result this can damage the hair follicle which can slow down and even cease production of hair.

Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric advisor at the College of Optometrists said: “Our eyelashes play an extremely important role in keeping our eyes healthy and act as a natural defence against dust, dirt and sunlight. While many of us covet long lashes, it’s important to remember that eyelashes are there to perform a function and we need to be careful we don’t hamper this vital natural defence mechanism. As eyelash extensions are such a new trend, there is little clinical research into their impact on eye health so we are urging women to take extra care.”

Dr Blakeney continues: “If you do want to go ahead and have this procedure, ensure you have them done at a reputable salon and follow the aftercare advice carefully. Eyelash extensions in the UK can be expensive, if you’re tempted to have them done cheaply abroad make sure you go to a reputable provider although do be aware that hygiene standards may vary from country to country. For those who want long lashes without the risks, false eyelashes are a cheaper and safer alternative, although make sure you apply and remove them properly.”

One traveller who learned the lesson the hard way is Anna, a 30-year-old PR consultant from London, who recently had a bad experience after having had eyelash extensions applied whilst on holiday.

She said of her experience: “I was in Thailand and the eyelash extensions were so cheap there compared to the UK that I couldn’t resist having them done. They cost me £6 and at first I was really pleased with the result. However, after a week I noticed that they were beginning to fall out and then they started to take my own lashes with them. My eyes began to get quite sore and the final result was not pretty. Lucky for me it didn’t get too serious and my eyelashes have grown back, but I did end up with sore eyes and the extensions didn’t really last for very long in the end. In the future I’m going to stick to trusty mascara and false lashes.”

Top tips from the College of Optometrists on how to have luscious lashes the safer way – false eyelashes

US Presential First Lady, Michelle Obama has recently been spotted in false eyelashes and today there are a huge range available, from the very subtle to the dramatic and daring, offering a safe, affordable way of achieving long lashes.

Don’t apply glue directly to the eyelid – remember that the glue is an irritant and you should avoid getting it into your eyes at all costs. It is advisable to place the glue onto the back of your hand then dab the base of the false eyelashes into it to apply the glue.

Don’t sleep in them – ensure you remove false eyelashes properly and don’t go to sleep in them as this can result in discomfort and irritation

Don’t share false eyelashes with friends – you shouldn’t share make-up or false eyelashes with friends as this can transfer bacteria and could result in eye infections

Don’t use heated eyelash curlers with false eyelashes – false eyelashes are synthetic and are not designed to withstand high temperatures. Attempting to curl them using a heated appliance may cause them to melt onto your natural lashes

Top tips from the College of Optometrists if you do opt for eyelash extensions

· Don’t put price over safety – if want to have eyelash extensions, ensure you go to a reputable practice where the staff are trained.

· Follow the practitioners advice – if you intend to go swimming or want to wear mascara with your eyelash extensions, check with the practitioner first as this can vary depending on the procedure you have had done

· Have an allergy test prior to treatment – it is always advisable to have an allergy test prior to any treatment involving chemicals. While allergies are not common, your sight is precious so it’s always better to be safe than sorry and to check this out before having the treatment

· See an optometrist if you experience problems – if you experience any discomfort or irritation, ensure you see an optometrist as soon as possible for advice. The optometrist is the eye health specialist on the high street and should be your first port of call for any concerns about your eye health.

About The College of Optometrists

The College of Optometrists is the Professional, Scientific and Examining Body for Optometry in the UK, working for the public benefit. Supporting its Members in all aspects of professional development, the College provides pre-registration training and assessment, continuous professional development opportunities, and advice and guidance on professional conduct and standards, enabling our Members to serve their patients well and contribute to the wellbeing of local communities.

Previously known as ophthalmic opticians, optometrists are trained professionals who examine eyes, test sight, give advice on visual problems, and prescribe and dispense spectacles or contact lenses. They also recommend other treatments or visual aids where appropriate. Optometrists are trained to recognise eye diseases, referring such cases as necessary, and can also use or supply various eye drugs.

Optometrists study at university for at least three years and participate in a full year of training and supervision, called the pre-registration year, before qualifying. Once qualified, they have the opportunity to develop their interests in specialist aspects of practice such as contact lenses, treating eye diseases, low vision, children’s vision and sports vision.

All optometrists practising in the UK must be registered with the General Optical Council, the profession’s regulatory body, and are listed in the Opticians Register. The letters FCOptom or MCOptom after an optometrist’s name means that he or she is a fellow or member of the College of Optometrists.
There are currently over 10,000 registered optometrists in the UK.

Remote heart monitoring for UK patients

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London: Suffers of heart illnesses now have access to a new service which offers remote monitoring of their condition – saving time and money on frequent medical visits.

The Reveal device, is a heart monitor that is implanted under the skin,which can now be linked to the Medtronic CareLink network which means that people suspected of having a heart condition can be assessed remotely by downloading data from the implanted monitor and can be directly accessed on the hospital’s computer system.

This means fewer trips to hospital for patients and huge potential bsavings for Britain’s National Health Service – saving both precious hospital time and resources.

There are approximately 2 million people in the UK with cardiac arrhythmias – a condition where the heart beats too fast, too slow or with an irregular beat. This can lead to sudden cardiac death which claims approximately 100,000 lives a year in the UK.

Identifying people with suspected arrhythmia earlier could save lives, though at present, currently only 8,500 people in the UK have such an implant fitted.

A pre-launch trial of the system found that 97% of patients preferred remote monitoring to hospital visits.

“This advance in technology will give patients suspected of having cardiac syncope more security and peace of mind about their heart devices,” says Trudie Lobban founder of STARS (Syncope Trust And Reflex Anoxic Seizures), adding that “For health professionals this will extend the reach of cardiovascular patient care beyond the clinic walls, and opens up new ways for doctors to treat patients.”

For more information on the Reveal device and the CareLink network, visit www.medtronic.co.uk and for more information on syncope and reflex anoxic seizures visit www.stars.org.uk

Pilates – how to be superfit age 50+

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Though sometimes we may care not to admit it, we all know that regular exercise can help keep us fit and healthy.

But if you still haven’t joined the gym, started playing a sport or just haven’t had time to build more activity into your daily life, there’s good news. According to experts, it’s not too late to start getting active on a regular basis – even if you’re pushing 50.

In a paper published in the British Medical Journal (i), researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden report how they quizzed more than 2,000 men aged 50 and over about their activity levels. What they discovered was those who upped their activity levels in their 50s enjoyed similar life-extending benefits as those who were already regular exercisers by the time they reached middle age.

In fact, those who went from being low to moderate exercisers when they were younger to regular exercisers between the age of 50 to 60 were more likely to live longer than those who were already doing high levels of activity at that age. The effect on lifespan, say the researchers, is the same as giving up smoking.

“Increased physical activity in middle age is eventually followed by a reduction in mortality to the same level as seen among men with constantly high physical activity,” the report concludes. “This reduction is comparable with that associated with smoking cessation.”

The survey defines ‘heavy’ activity as hard physical training, competitive sport, active recreational sports and heavy gardening for at least three hours a week. But if the mere thought of three hours’ heavy sports training leaves you feeling weak at the knees, another way to increase your activity levels – whatever your age – is to practise an exercise method such as Pilates.

Lengthening and strengthening

Developed by German-born Joseph Pilates, Pilates is an exercise system that originally attracted performance professionals such as actors, dancers and athletes. Today, however, it is practised by ordinary people in gyms, exercise studios, church halls and living rooms all over the world, thanks to the way it effectively lengthens and strengthens all the body’s muscle groups.

And since it aims to strengthen core stability as well as improve posture and flexibility, Pilates is ideal for older exercisers with back and joint problems – not to mention those who are want to avoid them in later life too.

However, so that seasoned and inexperienced exercisers alike can find out exactly what happens in the body during the classic series of Pilates exercises, Paul Massey – a UK-based Pilates instructor and physiotherapist – has written The Anatomy of Pilates (Lotus Publishing, £14.99).

The Anatomy of Pilates, which contains 150 full-colour anatomical illustrations, is divided in to chapters on the principles of the Pilates Method, posture and movement assessment, and application of the Pilates Method – with a chapter on the classic series of exercises.

Along with detailed anatomical illustrations, each exercise in the series includes the following:

• Full description of how the exercise performed
• Objectives of the exercise
• Tips on what to concentrate on
• How the breathing pattern works
• Checkpoints
• Pitfalls

Each exercise also comes with list of which muscles are involved – for instance, Spine Stretch Forward, which is used to stretch the spine and back extensors, involves the lower abdominals, hamstrings, back extensors, psoas and hip flexors.

And if you don’t have a degree in anatomy, the illustrations show you exactly where each muscle is and how it moves during the exercise.

“If you’re practising Pilates and you want to know more about it and how it works to lengthen and strengthen your muscles, The Anatomy of Pilates is exactly what you need,” claims the author.

The Anatomy of Pilates, priced from £14.99 and available from www.amazon.co.uk Waterstones and Lotus Publishing – www.lotuspublishing.co.uk

About the author

Paul Massey is a leading physiotherapist in private practice as well as a Pilates instructor. Massey works closely with governing bodies of track and field, swimming, and hockey, both at home and internationally, and has attended numerous Olympic Games and World Championships. He received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Team Award in 2000. He lectures worldwide on sports injuries and Pilates, and has written or co-written several books on the subject, including Sports Pilates: How to Prevent and Overcome Sports Injuries and The Pilates Prescription for Back Pain.

References:

(i) Liisa Byberg, Håkan Melhus, Rolf Gedeborg, Johan Sundström, Anders Ahlbom, Björn Zethelius, Lars G Berglund, Alicja Wolk, Karl Michaëlsson. “Total mortality after changes in leisure time physical activity in 50 year old men: 35 year follow-up of population based cohort.” BMJ 2009;338:b688, doi: 10.1136/bmj.b688

Exercise younger – on your bike!

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Bike Week (13-21 June), the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event, is this year challenging families to get more out of life by swapping their four wheels for two and exploring new places in their local community. Towns, villages and cities across the UK will host free cycling events with the theme of ‘Get more out of life: live local, get cycling’.

Thousands of events will inspire people to hop on their bikes and discover the benefits and pleasures of cycling locally. Over half of all car journeys are less than five miles long, so by switching them to an easy thirty minute bike ride, you’ll save money, find new places you didn’t know existed, shrink your carbon footprint and get fit too!

There’s something for everyone during Bike Week, with events ranging from cycle training and Dr Bike sessions for novices, to commuter challenges and group rides around local cycling routes – all for free! Many are open to the entire family meaning it’s a great way to spend time together and meet other locals whilst rediscovering the fun of riding a bike in a safe and friendly environment.

Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England, said: “Many families are looking for easy ways to get more out of life, particularly during these difficult financial times. Cycling brings families together and is a fantastic, free way to explore new places and rides and have a lot of fun. We hope that people will use Bike Week as the perfect opportunity to get back on their bikes and re-connect with their communities.”

Bike Week has teamed up with Change4Life, the movement that provides families with helpful hints and tips about how to be more active and less sedentary and promotes cycling as a great way for children to achieve 60 minutes of their recommended daily activity.

To find out what is taking place in your local area, visit and enter your postcode. If you’d like to take part but don’t have a bike, this shouldn’t stop you – you can find your nearest bike rental outlet on the website. All participants get the chance to win a Center Parcs family holiday or one of twenty-four bike carriers in the lead up to Bike Week – another reason to get on your bike!

For further information, or if you’d like to organise your own event, log on to www.bikeweek.org.uk or phone 0845 612 0661(UK number).

Five reasons to get on your bike:

1. Over half of our car journeys are less than 5 miles – swapping them for an easy 30 minute bike ride can save you a small fortune in fuel costs

2. Cyclists live on average at least two years longer than non-cyclists and their fitness levels are equivalent to being ten years younger – so forget nip and tuck, think pedal and push!

3. Cycling is the ultimate family activity; it’s free, healthy, fun and encourages children to be independent

4. Cycling gets you out and about and you’re more likely to find that cute little delicatessen or beautiful park you never knew existed than when you’re cooped up in a car

5. In a hurry? During rush-hour, a bicycle is twice as fast as a car – good if you hate traffic jams! Even better, you won’t spend a penny on parking

More information
1. This year’s Bike Week will run from 13-21 June 2009.

2. Bike Week is one of the UK’s biggest annual promotions of cycling and provides a national umbrella for locally organised events and activities up and down the UK

3. Bike Week began as a grass-roots organisation in 1923 and receives funding from the Department for Transport via Cycling England, Transport for London, Northern Ireland Executive, The Welsh Assembly Government and Cycling Scotland with support from the Scottish Government. Bike Week also receives funding from the cycle industry via Bike Hub.

4. The partners that run Bike Week are drawn from the whole cycling community including the cycle industry, Cycling England and Cycling Scotland, Sustrans, CTC and Cyclenation. More information can be found at www.bikeweek.org.uk

5. BikeWeek supports the Change4Life movement. In order to maintain a healthy weight we need to eat well and move more. Many families are making changes that will help them live healthier and longer. Visit www.nhs.uk/change4life or call 0300 1234567 for more information

6. To find out more about Change4Life, visit www.change4life.co.uk

Diet pills no substitute for healthy lifestyle

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London: Pharmaceutical diet pills which go on sale in the UK for the first time later this week are no substitute for a healthy lifestyle, according to medical experts.

One of the drugs, Alli, can help those to take it lose 3lb a week, according to its manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline. This is more than three stones over four months.

The drug, is a milder version of prescription-only Xenical, works by reducing the body’s ability to process fat by about 25 per cent. The fat passes straight through the body, creating a need to go to the toilet frequently.

Professor Gareth Williams, professor of medicine at the University of Bristol and the author of Obesity: Science To Practice, said in the British Medical Journal that the side-effects are so severe that “possibly few users will even finish their first pack of Alli, let alone buy a second”.

More seriously, he said: “The drug may cause only a small and transient downward blip in the otherwise inexorable climb in weight.

“Selling anti-obesity drugs over the counter will perpetuate the myth that obesity can be fixed simply by popping a pill and could further undermine efforts to promote healthy living, which is the only long-term escape from obesity.”

He said that real-life weight loss may not be as dramatic as in clinical trials.

“Dieters in these trials are highly motivated and under medical supervision,” he said. “People … taking it without medical supervision may achieve an average daily energy deficit of only 100kcal – equivalent to leaving a few French fries on a plate, eating an apple instead of ice cream, or (depending on enthusiasm and fitness) having 10 to 20 minutes of sex.”

The second drug is Appesat, which claims to cause weight loss of just under 2lb per week. It is a seaweed extract, which swells in the stomach and tricks the user into feeling that they are full.

Its long-term benefits were even questioned by Dr Jason Halford, the director of the Study of Human Ingestive Behaviour University of Liverpool, who is paid to advise the drug’s manufacturer.

“The cure for obesity and being overweight will never be found in a pill, packet or a wonder drug,” Dr Halford said. “That can only come from enormous changes to our food and physical environment, which are going to take a long time to achieve.

“Drugs don’t necessarily deal with reasons why people become obese, which are largely psychological.”

About two-thirds of adults and a third of children are obese, according to the Health Survey for England. Last year the number of prescriptions for “fat pills” rose 16 per cent to 1.23 million.

Last week a BBC television investigation by Professor Lesley Regan of St Mary’s Hospital in London found that women taking a placebo starch pill, who thought they were taking a diet pill, lost up to half a stone in six weeks.

Activity holidays boost mental health, say experts

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London:
Depression Awareness Week, which aims to increase the public’s awareness of a very common illness runs from April 20-26.

The campaign is also aimed at getting us to focus on our lifestyles to make sure we are not only healthy in body but also in mind.

Spending time outdoors to improve your mental health is known as ‘ecotherapy’ and it’s something that mental health experts believe we should be focusing on more.

This needn’t be vigorous exercise, beneficial therapeutic activities also include a gentle walk or spending time in the garden. Studies have shown that being outdoors really does have positive effects on your mental health.

Leading mental health charity ‘Mind’ undertook an experiment where a walk outdoors was compared to a walk indoors. 71% of participants on the ‘Green walk’ said that they felt less tense and reported decreased levels of depression.

With the unpredictable British weather and work/home commitments it can be hard to find the time and energy to spend time outdoors so activity holidays are being increasingly popular.

Choosing a holiday where the focus is on exploring new scenery and getting back to nature is an ideal way to ensure you are keeping active. You probably won’t even realise how much exercise you’re doing! An escorted tour is an option you may not have considered before, but it is a great way to constantly explore new surroundings at a gentle pace.


Jetsave, who specialise in Florida holidays and Escorted Tours, feature a tour that shows you the ‘Best of the West’, taking you through some of the amazing locations in Western USA and Canada. The tour starts in Vancouver and journeys through stunning landmarks including Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains.

There’s plenty of opportunities for those who enjoy rambling to visit new locations each day with the chance to spot local wildlife on the way. The tour goes through 8 national parks and you can expect to see buffalo, deer, bobcats and black deer on the way.

If you want to stay a bit closer to home, a walking holiday to Italy’s Lake Garda (pictured above) is also a great way to stay active while taking in the stunning scenery around you.
Thomson Lakes offer great package deals to countries all across Europe, from the tranquil lakes of Italy to the dramatic mountain & lake scenery of Switzerland all with breathtaking views that are guaranteed to help you unwind.

Research has also shown that walking outside and especially by water can be an effective way of helping to combat mild depression. So whether it’s a national park and nature that will help you unwind or the serenity of water that will create calm in your life make sure you take stock this Depression Awareness week and look after you.

Most women struggle to be domestic goddesses – Persil reveals

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In 100 years, women have gone from drudgery to equality in many areas of their lives. But how much has really changed?

Just 100 years ago women had little social freedom, fewer rights and our place was very much in the home. Since then we have been reaping the benefits of huge social changes, and today it seems fair to say we’ve have never had it so good. Or have we? A major new study of 21st century women of every generation shows that perhaps not everything has changed for the better.

Busy, versatile, confident, multi-skilled: that’s how we define ourselves as ‘modern women’, according to the report, published by Persil to commemorate its centenary. Three quarters of us agree that the introduction of automatic labour saving devices such as washing machines has lifted the burden of domesticity in the past 100 years, allowing us to be more versatile and six in ten of us think we enjoy greater freedom than our mums and grans.

It all sounds good until you consider the point that technology rather than our other halves have kept pace with the necessary changes in our lives. The research found that whether we work or not, four in ten of our husbands or partners still do less than half of the housework and one in ten don’t do any at all. That said, it is a lot better now than even fifty years ago; if you spoke to the older generations in your family, I bet they’d tell you, that at least your man knows where the washing machine is!

The research also revealed, somewhat surprisingly, that many of us wish we possessed better domestic skills, like our mothers, with over half of women in their 20s yearning to be better at sewing (56 per cent), forty percent wishing they had better skills in the kitchen and thirty seven per cent wanting to be better at cleaning.

We are yearning to embrace a new modern domesticity but feel hamstrung in part by the current economic climate. As we become increasingly attracted to spending time in the home like the poster girl for domesticity Nigella Lawson, one in four of us also say we regret our lack of traditional homemaking skills.

Click here
to see just how far we have come and how women’s roles have changed in society as we journey from WWII to the swinging ’60s and beyond. 100 years worth celebrating.

For more information visitwww.persil.co.uk

Coffee can help athletes replenish energy, scientists discover

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Sydney: Coffee helps athletes replenish vital energy nutrient, new research from Australia has found.

In a study published in the online edition of the Journal of Applied Physiology, scientists proved that glycogen — which is used for muscle energy during exercise — is replenished more quickly when athletes ingest both carbohydrate and caffeine following exhaustive exercise.

The study was done by eight researchers in Australia and John Hawley was the senior author.

“We think it’s working because whatever the caffeine has done, is create an environmental situation external to the muscle that is helping the muscle soak up like a sponge more glucose,” Hawley said in a phone interview.

The study was conducted on seven well-trained endurance cyclists who participated in four sessions. The participants first rode a cycle ergometer until exhaustion, and then consumed a low-carbohydrate dinner before going home. This exercise bout was designed to reduce the athletes’ muscle glycogen stores prior to the experimental trial the next day.

The athletes did not eat again until they returned to the lab the next day for the second session when they again cycled until exhaustion. They then ingested a drink that contained carbohydrate alone or carbohydrate plus caffeine and rested in the laboratory for four hours.

During this post-exercise rest time, the researchers took several muscle biopsies and multiple blood samples to measure the amount of glycogen being replenished in the muscle, along with the concentrations of glucose-regulating metabolites and hormones in the blood, including glucose and insulin.

The entire two-session process was repeated seven to 10 days later, swapping over the study groups.

“One of the things that the caffeine did was increase blood glucose and insulin levels above carbohydrate alone, so it has an additive effect,” said Hawley, who is with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University in Bundoora, Australia.

“Just think of the muscle looking for substrate to soak up. The muscle is depleted. Its job now is to put back fuel as quickly as it can. The only way that it can do that is to have fuel in the form of glucose in the blood. So the muscle is looking around and not seeing anymore glucose in the blood with caffeine, but it’s seeing more insulin.”

Insulin is the hormone that transports glucose into the muscle.

Hawley said multiple studies have shown the benefits of caffeine for athletes, whether it’s ingested before or during exercise.

“Caffeine is a positive performance enhancer for events as short as 5 minutes and right up to the Iron Man triathlon,” Hawley said. “It is a drug, so I’ll have to call it a drug, but it is legal. It is one of the few drugs that works over a wide range of performances.

“Most of the other drugs or food supplements or nutrients like creatine for example, only work in very short intense sprints or something like that. But caffeine is this mysterious one that appears to have multiple effects, and that’s because it has multiple physiological effects and central-nervous system effects.”

Hawley noted that some Tour de France riders switch to Coca-Cola during the last part of their stages. Frank Shorter, who won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, drank de-fizzed Coke during the race.

“He was light-year ahead of the scientists,” Hawley said. “He knew even then that some mixture of caffeine and carbohydrate was very, very good. … That shows that athletes are often a step or two ahead of us.”

Olive oil protects the heart, new research reveals

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Lisbon: Scientists have discovered the constituent of olive oil that gives greatest protection from heart attack and stroke.

In a study of the major antioxidants in olive oil, Portuguese researchers showed that, DHPEA-EDA, protects red blood cells from damage more than any other part of olive oil.

Lead researcher Fatima Paiva-Martins, of the University of Porto said: “These findings provide the scientific basis for the clear health benefits that have been seen in people who have olive oil in their diet.”

Although heart disease is caused by several factors, one of the main contributors is reactive oxygen, including free radicals, acting on LDL or “bad” cholesterol causing hardening of the arteries. Red blood cells are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage because they are the body’s oxygen carriers.

In the study, published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, the researchers studied the effects of four related polyphenolic compounds on red blood cells subjected to oxidative stress by a known free radical generating chemical.

DHPEA-EDA was the most effective and protected red blood cells even at low concentrations. The researchers say the study provides the first evidence that this compound is the major source of the health benefit associated with virgin olive oils, which contain increased levels of DHPEA-EDA compared to other oils. In virgin olive oils, DHPEA-EDA may make up as much as half the total antioxidant component of the oil.

Paiva-Martins says the findings could lead to the production of “functional” olive oils specifically designed to reduce the risk of heart disease. “Now we have identified the importance of these compounds, producers can start to care more about the polyphenolic composition of their oils,” she says.

Banish Jet lag with aromatherapy – win an Aroma Therapeutics Travel Kit

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London: Designed to take the hassle out of travelling – from long haul trips to short weekend breaks, Aroma Therapeutics Travel Tool Kit is the suitcase essential.

This exclusive treatment package contains a package of indispensable goodies, worth $50 (€40, £36) to help alleviate the stress of long-haul travel including the following:

Relaxer Aroma Candle, Sleep Enhancer Aroma Candle
Sleep Enhancer Spray Concentrate
Recharger Spray Concentrate
Relaxer Bath & Body and Muscle Comforter Bath & Body

Ensure you get to your next destination and back, in stress-free style.
A delay at the airport might leave you feeling run down and lethargic – the answer? Aroma Therapeutics Recharger Spray Concentrate. A powerful blend of: Rosemary, Ginger, Rosewood, Nutmeg and Orange is guaranteed to lift the most weary traveller’s spirit’s. Spray directly onto pulse points and inhale deeply – it’s that simple and it really works.

If you would like to win one of these special travel packages email us at readeroffer@elixirnews.com with your name and address and AROMA in the header – by 31 April 2009. Please note that no cash equivalent is offered and the Editor’s decision is final.

Upon arrival, Relaxer Aroma Candle releases a wonderful stress-beating aroma of: Bergamot, Lavender, Marjoram and Vertivert. When you need to unwind, simply light the wick and enjoy a full two soothing hours of burning time.

Before heading back out, be sure to unwind with Relaxer Bath & Body. A few drops added to a warm bath will ensure you’re stress free. Alternatively, soothe away aches and pains with Muscle Comforter Bath & Body. Cooling Peppermint, Lavender, Black Pepperand Birch (a natural painkiller) blend together for instant relief.

Before bed, don’t forget to light Sleep Enhancer “Travel Light” Aroma Candle containing a winning blend of: Petitgrain, Ylang Ylang, Lavender and Galbanum. All you have to do for the sweetest dreams and the best night’s sleep ever – is light the wick and relax (always extinguish before going to sleep).

Finally, spray Aroma Therapeutics’ best-selling Sleep Enhancer Spray Concentrate onto your pillow at night or during a long-haul flight. The effectiveness ratings of this product are so high that for years British Airways has given it to their prized First Class passengers to help them drift off in flight.
Travel Tool Kit £35.85
Sleep Enhancer Spray Concentrate 20ml
Recharger Spray Concentrate 20ml
Relaxer Bath & Bath 10ml
Muscle Comforter Bath & Body 10ml
Mood Enhancer Aroma Travel Candke 10g
Sleep Enhancer Aroma Travel Candle 10g
Aroma Therapeutics are available online from www.aroma.co.uk or phone + 44 (0)1458 831 216

Positive people live longer

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Boston: Children of parents who live to be 100 have been found to have distinct personality traits that seem to be inherited and contribute to healthy ageing and longevity.

Boston University School of Medicine researchers conducted a study of centenarians, finding that longevity runs in families. The children studied experienced delays in heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Personality traits associated with healthy aging included agreeableness, extroversion, and low levels of neuroticism.

Studies involving children of centenarians have shown that, compared to the norm, children whose parents live a long life have a 120 percent lower mortality. They live longer and experience healthy aging by avoiding typical age-related illnesses until much later in life.

The study authors say, “Interestingly, whereas men and women generally differ substantially in their personality characteristics, the male and female offspring (of centenarians) tended to be similar, which speaks to the importance of these traits, irrespective of gender, for health aging and longevity”.

Thomas Perls, MD, MPH, director of the New England Centenarian Study, and senior study author says the reason children of centenarians live longer may be in the way they handle stress, contributing to longevity and healthy aging. . “For example, people who are lower in neuroticism are able to manage or regulate stressful situations more effectively than those with higher neuroticism levels. Similarly, high extraversion levels have been associated with establishing friendships and looking after yourself.”

Dr. Perls says studies are underway that may tell us why some people live longer than others do. Maybe the secret to healthy ageing is in our genes – or perhaps living longer is as simple as maintaining an outgoing personality, not worrying, and remaining agreeable with whatever comes our way.

Extreme grapefruit diet may interfere with the pill

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New York: A woman who went on an intense grapefruit-based diet developed a blood clot in her leg and risked losing the limb, US doctors have reported.

The unusual case, written up in the Lancet medical journal, occurred in Washington state in November last year.

Medics concluded grapefruit had affected the way the 42-year-old’s body processed her contraceptive pill.

In November 2008, the woman came to the casualty department of the Providence St Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington state.

The day before, she had gone on a long car journey, after which she felt pain radiating from her lower back down to her left ankle.

When she arrived at the hospital she was experiencing difficulty walking, shortness of breath, and light-headedness.By the next day her left leg had turned purple.

The woman was generally in good health but was slightly overweight and had decided to diet.

Three days before falling ill, she had begun a crash diet which included eating 225g of grapefruit each morning, after rarely eating the fruit in the past.

When doctors examined her, an ultrasound scan confirmed the woman had a large blood clot within the veins of her left leg, which stretched from her hip down to her calf and she was deemed to be at risk of losing her leg because of gangrene.

The woman was given clot-busting treatment and had a stent, a kind of tube, fitted in order to widen her vein.

The doctors treating her said a number of risk factors had contributed to the woman developing the clot.

She had an inherited disorder which increased her risk, as did being on the combined Pill. Being immobile in a car probably also contributed to the clot forming.

Writing in the Lancet, the authors led by Dr Lucinda Grande, called it a “constellation of potential risk factors”.

But they added: “The increased [oestrogen] serum concentration due to her three days of grapefruit for breakfast may well have tipped the balance.”

They suggest the fruit blocked the action of a key enzyme that normally breaks down the form of oestrogen in her contraceptive.

A spokesman for the Florida Department of Citrus – an executive agency of Florida government which markets, researches and regulates the state’s citrus industry, said: “The Lancet report looks to be inconsistent with published scientific studies which indicate grapefruit does not cause a clinically significant interaction with oral contraceptives.

“We are aware of no validated evidence that grapefruit affects oral contraceptives, and they are generally considered to be safe to consume with grapefruit.”

Ulrika Jonsson on adult incontinence – watch her TV interview here

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New research reveals that one third of British women over the age of 30 suffer from LAI (light adult incontinence) in the UK. LAI is on the increase, but as women are too embarrassed to seek help it remains one of the last female medical taboos.

As someone who has experienced light adult incontinence after the birth of her fourth child, recent Celebrity Big Brother Winner Ulrika Jonsson has spoken out about the medical taboo, whilst encouraging other women to feel confident enough to seek help for sensitive bladder problems.

Contrary to popular belief, LAI affects women of all ages and is not a problem specific to the older generation. In fact LAI is often triggered by child birth (over 30% have it after 3 months and over 40% six years after having a child). This condition is therefore an issue for women in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Women often suffer in silence falsely assuming that they are powerless to help themselves. However, many of these millions of women can be helped by getting advice on preventing and managing LAI, and by taking simple steps to improve it there is a 70% success rate.

Even in 2009, over half (53%) of those affected say they find LAI too embarrassing to discuss. The stigma surrounding incontinence means it is not talked about more widely and women are too embarrassed to come forward despite the impact it has on their self-esteem, confidence, stress levels and sex lives.

For further information and advice on Light Adult Incontinence you can visit www.alwaysenvive.com.

How colonic therapy promotes health

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For many people today, keeping in shape is a key concern but poor diet, stress, smoking and drinking can all take their toll – not least on a part of the body that is widely recognised as being vital to maintaining good health. That organ is the bowel.

For all too many of us, it’s a case of out of sight out of mind. Add to that the embarrassment many feel when discussing this particular body part and you begin to understand why it can go wrong. In fact, it ‘goes wrong’ for quite a lot of us. For most that probably means a little discomfort, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome. For approximately 35,000 people each year the effects can be rather more serious, in the form of bowel cancer.

So, what can we do to encourage bowel health? Good diet and plenty of fibre are generally regarded as important in ‘keeping things moving’. Avoiding the accumulation of waste matter in the bowel is helpful and this, in turn, can contribute to wellbeing – and, indeed, just feeling good.

An increasingly popular therapy is colonic hydrotherapy. This involves circulating purified warm water at very low pressure through the colon. The process stimulates the colon to expel faecal matter and tones the colon.

Whilst the therapy has helped many people, it should be stated at once that it is not a treatment for more serious bowel conditions, neither is there specific evidence to suggest it can directly prevent them.

However, colonic hydrotherapy is thought to encourage general bowel health. The main reasons why people choose colon hydrotherapy are to address problems such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, or to assist in detoxing the body. Others are looking for help with conditions, like skin problems, which can sometimes benefit from the cleansing effect of hydrotherapy.

Explains Roger Groos, Chairman of the Association and Register of Colon Hydrotherapists, which sets professional standards and accredits teaching colleges: “It is important to put the treatment in its proper context. It is best thought of as a complement to other actions which may be taken to encourage efficient bowel function. Indeed many of our members offer dietary advice alongside treatments. Hydrotherapy has been in use in the UK for well over 30 years. The best testimony to its effects is, perhaps, that each year thousands of people from many walks of life choose hydrotherapy and find they feel better as a result.”

Colonic hydrotherapy should always be carried out by appropriately trained specialists. Only previously qualified therapists, medical doctors and nurses who have good knowledge of the body and how it works are accepted as ARCH members. The organisation is, in turn, a member of the General Naturopathic Council and participates in the regulation of therapy under government guidelines. Details of members can be found on the organisation’s website at www.colonic-association.orgor by phoning the UK information line on 08702 416567.

Docs closer to polypill for killer disease

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A new trial in India has shown that the so-called “polypill” to guard against stroke and heart attack in older people has beneficial results.

The concept of a polypill for everyone over 55 to cut heart disease by up to 80% was mooted over five years ago, but slow progress has been made since.

But critics of pill-popping as a cure for disease say the problems of high blood pressure and cholesterol should be tackled with diet and exercise.

The polypill used in the latest study, published in the medical journal The Lancet, combines five active pharmacological ingredients widely available separately – aspirin, a statin to lower cholesterol and three blood pressure-lowering drugs – as well as folic acid to reduce homocysteine.

Trials were carried out on 2,053 healthy individuals free of cardiovascular disease, but with a risk factor such as high blood pressure or a long-term smoker, showed combining the drugs into one tablet delivered a similar effect to each drug separately.

Reductions were seen in both blood pressure and cholesterol without any major side effects.

The researchers believe that the combined action of all the components in their “Polycap” capsule made by Cadila Pharmaceuticals, could potentially halve strokes and heart attacks in average, middle-aged people.

The study, led by Dr Salim Yusuf, from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, took in people at 50 centres across India.

A UK team led by Professor Simon Thom of Imperial College London is testing another polypill to see whether it does cut death rates.

They have been testing a four-in-one polypill called the Red Heart Pill, with the backing of the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation, which could cost as little as 15 euros per person per year.

Professor Thom said it would be at least five years before there was enough data to convince drug regulators to approve a polypill.

“Mounting evidence shows the polypill does exactly what it should, but no more, whereas exercise has wide reaching effects on health and wellbeing. So a polypill is an addition rather than a replacement for lifestyle interventions.”