ISSUE 70 | £2.

50

The first
3 steps to
Happiness

Sleep Like
a Baby
Are you
a catfish
parent?
Try These
Sugar Free
sweet treats
Toned Arms
Made Easy
Focus on

WATER
wellness nutrition // wellness debate // relationship wellness // emotional wellness
YES
YOU CAN EAT
CARBS!
Clinically proven medical product
Available without prescription
l e t s P LUS o r t h £ 100!)
c k o f 60 tab l Suppor t (w
per pa EE Nutritiona

9 . 9 9 Get FR

Only £3
For weight control and the
prevention and treatment of obesity

Blocks absorption of carbs

FREE in the diet
NUTRITIONAL
SUPPORT

Lessens calorie intake from

 Up to 1 hour 1-to-1 consultation with qualified Nutritionist. carbohydrates in the diet
 Convenient phone or skype consultations.
 Review of the likely causes contributing to your weight gain or stubborn weight loss Delays recurring hunger by
 Expert tailored advice on how to achieve your weight loss goals regulating blood sugar levels
 Personalised suggestions on improved food choices, eating habits, quality of sleep,
exercise and stress management.
Natural plant-based ingredient
 Detailed written report / action plan following your consultation

Proven for effectiveness in accordance with the C

ALLY ER
TIFIE
D
C
INI

MDD
European Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC).
CL

93/42/EEC

0481

Carb US
ORDER ONLINE OR CALL US TODAY!

PL Tel: 0208 619 0021 | Email: csuk@yourlifestyle.com

www.yourlifestyle.com
 the gateway to living well
editor’s note
Editor-in-chief
Dr Sarah Brewer Dr. Sarah Brewer

Water is so vital for health and wellness – especially during the heat of
Project Director summer - that this month’s special focus explores how to stay hydrated.
Michael Kitt Elsewhere, we look at the benefits of cutting back on sugar intake, and offer
some delicious sugar-free Sweet Treat recipes.
Advertising Sales We take a look at why rowing is such a great all-round exercise, explore
advertising@yourwellness.net 3 steps to become more happy and ask if there’s a toxic relationship in your
life. Our experts offer advice on overcoming thinning hair and we debate the
controversial question: Should we judge politicians on their appearance?
Art Director
Nilesh Parab Yourwellness is unique in covering all aspects of wellbeing, from health and
relationships, through fitness and family, to work and finances. What’s more, we
also explore all the options available, from Ancient to Modern and Scientific to
Graphic Designers Holistic.
Kalpesh Vedak If you enjoy reading this issue, look for similar articles and features at
Himanshu Agrawal www.yourwellness.com. Why not tell your friends so they can also sit down,
take a well-earned break and browse our pages.
Staff Writers Until next month,
Dr Arjita Kumari
Francine White
Jenny Catton
Kieran Ball Editor
Steve Miscandlon
PS.: You may notice these three symbols appearing throughout the magazine. These
reflect which features relate to psychological, physical, or physiological wellness.
Creative Firm
Doit Advertising Pvt. Ltd.
email: bd@doitadvertising.com
website : doitadvertising.com

reach us Give your loved ones a special

12 months subscription
YOURWELLNESS MAGAZINE package of Yourwellness
A4 Windsor Place, Faraday Road, Digital Magazine.
Manor Royal, Crawley, RH10 9TF Just go to
www.pocketmags.com
Subscriptions & customer enquiries: for
ues type YOURWELLNESS into
y iss
Phone: (0208) 588 9553 Onl 12
.99 the search bar and then
£12
email: enquiries@yourwellness.net
subscribe
Advertising:
Phone: (0208) 588 9553 Email : enquiries@yourwellness.net Call Now
email: advertising@yourwellness.net

© Licensed to Health Media Ltd (Dubai)
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in part or in whole, in print,
electronic or any other form, is strictly
prohibited.
Disclaimer | yourwellness is dedicated to providing useful, well researched information on every aspect of your
wellness. We do not pioneer any particular therapy or school of thought, instead we offer all the options to allow
our readers to make an informed choice. All our contents are not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis
of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical
advice. Readers are always advised to consult their healthcare professionals prior to starting any new remedy, therapy
or treatment.
 contents 32
Ways to wean
your family off
sugar

38 What’s Your
Excuse?

emotional wellness
26 It’s time to overcome
negativity and move
forward in your life

42
family wellness
29 Are you protected against
card fraud?
12 wellness focus exercise wellness
Is There A Toxic
Relationship
on Water In Your Life?
36 Rowing Is The Ultimate
24 emotional wellness Get-Fit Option
The first 3 steps to wellness debate
Happiness
52 Should we Judge
28 family wellness Politicians on their
Appearance?
Sleep Like a Baby

40 exercise wellness 54 wellness experts

Toned Arms Made Easy
44 relationship
wellness
Are you a catfish parent?
46 wellness nutrition
56 holistic wellness
58 wellness reviews
60 modern wellness
51
62 ancient wellness
64 scientific wellness
Berry Popsicles

Try These Sugar Free

sweet treats

59
Breathe
04 wellness news Cleaner
Air

08 kitchen wellness
10 garden wellness
yourwellness.com
 La Maison Medicale

Dare to bare
your legs next summer?
If not, we can help you. We have a team of expert doctors that specialise in the
treatment of thread veins, varicose veins and cosmetic related conditions.

including foam sclerotherapy, and microsclerotherapy for thread veins.

020 7589 9321

10 Cromwell Place, South Kensington, LONDON SW7 2JN
For more information, visit our website:
www.lamaisonmedicale.co.uk
4 wellness
news
Is climate change
affecting the taste
of wine?
There are not many success stories when it comes
to climate change but one exception could be the
wine industry. Scientists have discovered that the
higher temperatures attributed to climate change
are creating earlier grape harvests and higher
quality wines. In the past, high-quality wines
were associated with warm weather followed by
a drought, but in recent times this association has
disappeared and early harvests occur
just as a result of warm weather.
Data from 1600 to 2007
shows that, up until 1981,
early harvests were driven by
warm and dry conditions. Since
1981, warm temperatures
alone have driven the
early harvests – even if
the weather was wetter.
The changes in weather
conditions have led to higher
quality wines.
- Cate Blanchett
I care about climate change
because of our children. I want
to safeguard their future.
Wake up, your nap
could harm your
health
We all know the wonders of a restorative nap, but
if you snooze too long, it could affect your health.
Research presented at the American College of
Cardiology’s 65th annual scientific session showed
that napping for over 40 minutes a day could
increase the risk of heart disease. And those who
napped for over 90 minutes have a 50 per cent
greater chance of developing metabolic syndrome
– a term that covers a range of conditions
including high cholesterol, high blood pressure
and high blood sugar. However, people who
nap for less than 40 minutes were not at
any higher risk of these conditions.
yourwellness.com
Tired at work?
Blame your
phone...
Do you feel tired and sluggish in the
afternoon? If you spent your lunch break
using your smartphone, that could be the
reason why. In a recent study looking at the
lunchtime habits of 425 men and women,
roughly half the participants spent their
lunchbreak using their mobile phone while
the other half spent time going for a walk,
reading a book or chatting with friends. While
both groups said they’d ‘switched off’ during
their break, the group that spent time using
their phone reported feeling more tired than
the others and felt more exhausted as the
day went on. Experts believe that using a
mobile can cause tiredness as the brain works
overtime to process information
from a small
screen. Sitting
in a hunched
position while
you scroll
doesn’t help,
either.
Following in their
footsteps
If you’ve taken a similar career path to one of
your parents, you probably accept that their
career choices went a long way to influencing
your own. A new study shows that daughters of
nurses are 3.75 times more likely to enter the
nursing profession than the rest of the population.
And 20 per cent of daughters whose mothers
worked in office and administrative support
entered the same career. This is twice the usual
rate for the population as a whole. When mothers
work in the field of law, their sons are 6.6 times
more likely than the rest of the population to also
choose a job within the legal industry. There was
also a correlation between different but equally
high-achieving careers as the son of a lawyer was
4.6 times more likely to become a doctor than the
rest of the population.
Green Tea Time
Green Tea extract in convenient capsule form.

à Green tea extract

à Convenient capsule form

à Suitable for vegetarians

Special Offer
Buy two and
save 20%
Quote Voucher Code: GCGT-YW034

To find out more, or place

an order call us today.
Tel: 0208 619 0021 G.0005.0001
6 wellness
news
Employers recognise the - Josh Billings

importance of fighting Silence is one

stress of the hardest
A survey by HR consultancy, Towers Watson, reveals that most employers
see worker stress as one of their highest priorities. The Health, Wellbeing arguments to
and Productivity study found that 98 per cent of
companies agreed that stress was an issue among refute.
their workforce, and 97 per cent also felt that
work-life balance was a problem for staff.
However, while they recognised the importance
of fighting stress, only 41 per cent of employers
had a stress management programme in place,
and barely a third actively implement awareness
campaigns or risk assessments to prevent stress
among employees. Add some stress-busting
solutions to the staff suggestion box!

Feeling Argumentative?
Grab a Snack!
If you’re feeling peckish, you might want to eat
something before meeting your partner. When your
brain doesn’t have enough energy to exercise self-control,
you’re more likely to lose your cool with our nearest and
dearest. Researchers drew these conclusions from how
The
blood sugar levels affected anger and aggression in over
100 married couples. In the quirky experiment, they gave
power of
each participant a voodoo doll and asked them to stab it
with up to 51 pins to demonstrate how unhappy they felt
plastic
with their partner. When the participants’ blood sugar We all know that plastic
was low, they were more likely to express anger by using carrier bags are an
more pins on the voodoo doll. ecological disaster, taking
years to decompose
in landfill sites or

Hey good looking

contaminating our
oceans. But one day the
reputation of plastic bags
Where do you position yourself in the looks could be transformed
department? Average, better than average, as they are helping to
supermodel good looks? And are your friends tackle global warming by
better looking than you or about the same? powering cars. Scientists
Chances are, when it comes to physical have found a way to
appearance, you and your friends are quite similar. convert plastic carriers
When scientists gathered 172 strangers and asked into diesel and natural
them to mingle and form smaller groups, people gas and the process is
who were similar in attractiveness stuck together potentially more energy
so that good-looking people tended to head efficient than traditional
towards other good-looking people. Attractiveness gas production methods.
was secretly appraised by members of the The positive results could
research team using photographs. The researchers mean the hundreds of
also discovered that people naturally formed billions of plastic carrier
groups of around six people and that frequently an bags that are disposed of
attractive woman was at the centre of the group, each year could be put to
suggesting that others were drawn to them. good use.

yourwellness.com
8
kitchen
wellness
Make the Most of Your
Kitchen Windowsill
Often a forgotten space, your
kitchen windowsill is a great
spot for growing if it gets
good sunlight at least part
of the day. Even if you’re not
usually green-fingered, and
struggle to keep houseplants
alive, you’ll probably find
kitchen gardening easier as
it’s convenient to tend the
plants while doing other jobs
in the kitchen. And of course,
unlike outdoor gardening,
with windowsill plants you
don’t need to worry about
pests or frost. Your windowsill
is also a great place to pop a
propagator in spring to raise
seedlings before transplanting
them outside.
yourwellness.com
What to grow Before
investing in new plants or seeds
for your windowsill, consider
the conditions that your window
offers. Some plants grow more
successfully on a warm, bright
windowsill that gets a good
amount of sunlight while other,
hardier crops are better options
for a windowsill that gets less
sunlight or is a little drafty.
For example, chilli and tomato
plants need warm conditions
while herbs can grow well in
cooler conditions.
Watering Keep a mister
spray on your windowsill to
remind you to give your plants
a daily spritz. A little water on
a regular basis is better than
allowing your plants to dry out
before giving them a drenching.
Over-watering is as bad as under
watering for many plants. Herbs,
in particular, hate to sit in wet
soil.
Growing Herbs
These edible plants are easy
to grow and provide a ready-
supply of flavour boosters to
enhance your cooking. Strongly
fragranced herbs such as
rosemary will also make your
kitchen smell lovely. Simply
snip a few sprigs whenever you
want to add new twists to your
favourite recipes. The best herbs
to choose are ones that don’t
grow too wide or too tall – good
choices include basil, parsley,
mint and rosemary.
Windowsill
gardening for kids
Windowsill planting is also
a great way to introduce kids
to gardening. Plants such as
cress are easy to grow and,
because they grow quickly, are
exciting for children to look
after. You don’t even need soil
to grow cress. All you require
is a shallow tray and some
kitchen paper or cotton wool.
Simply wet the paper or cotton
wool and then sprinkle the
seeds on top. They will begin
to germinate within a couple
of days and a few days after
that, your cress will be ready to
enjoy in salads or sandwiches.
Remember to keep the paper
damp at all times – you can
cover the tray with cling film to
help keep the paper or cotton
wool moist.
 Struggling to
control your
appetite? Opriimo is a revolutionary new medical product,
designed to help you to eat less, feel full and manage your
weight. It's non-invasive, so no surgery is required.
Clinically proven and no complicated diets to follow.
The icing on the cake: Receive FREE 1-to-1 Nutritional
Support from our Qualified Nutritionist!

Don't wait any longer, call today.

Because of the nature of the product,

Opriimo is not suitable for all,
and some qualification criteria applies.

Order online or call us today!

Efrom
FRE
pport su
1-to-1 d Nutritionis
t www.opriimo.com
£10 !
e
qualifi 0
worth Tel.: 0208 619 0021
ALLY ER
TIFIE
C
D
C

WM.0002.001
INI

MDD
CL

93/42/EEC
a YourLifestyle brand 0481
 garden
10 wellness
Fall in Love With Your
Garden Shed
A refuge from the elements, a
place to retreat and enjoy a quiet
cuppa, or simply a space for storing
all your gardening essentials -
however you choose to use it, a shed
is a must for keen gardeners. With
a well-organised shed, you know
all your equipment is close at hand
and you don’t have to worry about
storing muddy bits and bobs in the
house.
Sheds can be bought in all shapes
and sizes online or from your local
DIY store or garden centre. But if you
have the skills (or know someone
who does) you may prefer to make
your own so you get exactly the
space that’s right for you and your
garden. When buying or building a
new garden shed, think about:
Material – Sheds are
available in a range of materials from
wood and plastic to metal. Take a
look at the options and decide which
you think will suit the style of your
garden best while considering how
resistant the material will be to wet
weather, wind and rot.
yourwellness.com
Size – The size of your shed
will be largely determined by the size
of your garden. If you have acres of
land to tend, you’ll need a larger shed
for all your equipment while if you
only have a small garden, a compact
shed will protect valuable planting
space.
Internal storage – As well
as considering what the shed looks
like from the outside, think about the
interior too. Shelves will be handy
for storing equipment and if there’s
enough space, adding a table for
potting is also useful.
Appearance – If you’re
worried that a shed will detract from
the beauty of your garden, make it
into an attractive feature to enhance
your space. There are lots of ways
you can make a shed more attractive
from adding decorative doors and
window displays to hanging baskets
and wind chimes.
Shed organisation
Once your shed is erected and
ready to use, it’s time to kit it out. Put
items you use most regularly near
the door for easy access. Keep heavy
bags of compost low down and close
to the entrance so you don’t have
to lug them too far. You might add
a shelving system for smaller items
such as pots, netting, string and
twine. Remember to keep anything
toxic out of the reach of children and
pets – so store weed killer and slug
pellets up high. Keep seeds in a metal
tin to protect them from damp and
insects.
Hooks are useful for things like
gloves and hats. Tools can also be
hung on the wall to save space and
prevent trip hazards. Other useful
extras are a first-aid kit (including
plasters, sunscreen and insect-bite
cream), gardener’s reference books,
and a spare jumper and t-shirt for
when you misjudge the weather
conditions. And if your shed has
electricity, a kettle is a must!
For more shed inspiration, visit:
www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm
12 - Leonardo da Vinci

focus Water is the driving

force of all nature.

Drinking enough water to

keep your body sufficiently
hydrated is one of the most
simple but effective things
that you can do for your
health and wellbeing. No other
nutrient is more essential or is
needed in such large amounts
and even slight dehydration
can have a significant impact
on your daily life. The effects
of dehydration include poor
concentration, tiredness,
headaches, impaired sleep,
dry skin, joint problems and

Focus on

WATER
digestive disorders.

yourwellness.com

The Importance of
Good Hydration
Water is one of the most
important nutrients in your diet.
It is essential for plump skin,
delivery of nutrients to all your
cells and for flushing away wastes.
You normally maintain a fine
fluid balance which is regulated
partly by hormonal control and
partly by the concentration of
salts, sugars and soluble proteins
in your circulation. As long as you
replace your daily water losses
through adequate drinking and
eating, you will avoid dehydration
and help to maintain plump,
healthy skin, bright beautiful eyes,
while avoiding dry, brittle hair and
nails. For most people that means
obtaining around 2 litres of fluid
per day from drinks, plus eating
moisture-rich foods such as
soups, yoghurt, watermelon,
cucumber and other juice
fruit and vegetables.
Dehydration is a common
cause of tiredness, poor
concentration, reduced alertness,
reduced short-term memory,
headache and mood changes. It
also increases the stickiness of
blood, and reduces the delivery of
oxygen and nutrients to your cells.
When you are dehydrated, your
skin will lose its attractive glow,
and give you a tired, haggard
appearance with more pronounced
sagging and dullness. Blood
vessels in the thin skin beneath
the eyes may become more visible,
leading to dark circles.
Unfortunately, your thirst
13
receptors are not a sensitive judge
of how fluid deficient you are,
so you are already significantly
dehydrated by the time you feel
the need to drink. Urine colour
is a useful way of checking your
level of hydration. Aim for a pale,
straw colour. If your urine is dark
yellow and concentrated you
should drink more fluids such as
water or green tea. As caffeine
has a mild diuretic effect, it is
often claimed that caffeinated
drinks, such as tea, can caused
dehydration. Researchers have
shown that drinking tea provides
more than enough water to offset
this diuretic effect, however.
DID YOU KNOW? Water
makes up 55% of the weight
of an average female – a total
of 33 to 35 litres.  The weight
of the average male is 60%
water (40 to 50 litres) due to
the relatively lower amount
of body fat present.
yourwellness.com
14 wellness
focus
One simple step
to a healthier you!
Simply drinking enough water
every day will do your waistline a
favour, too.
Water keeps hunger
pangs at bay. It’s easy to
think you are hungry when, in
fact, you are thirsty. Many people
mistake thirst for hunger. Drinking
a glass of water will usually
greatly reduce any hunger pangs.
Water aids digestion
& combats bloating.
The digestive system requires
lots of fresh water a day to work
yourwellness.com
effectively. Without a sufficient
amount you will feel bloated and
run the risk of digestive problems.
If you don’t drink enough water
daily, your body will retain water
to make up for it. This water
retention can add pounds to your
weight, and make you look and
feel very bloated.
Water aids your
metabolism. Your body
needs to metabolise stored fat
into energy, but your metabolism
can be slowed by even mild
levels of dehydration. And with a
slower metabolism, you will burn
less calories and you will lose
weight more slowly. If you drink
a sufficient amount of water, your
metabolism levels increase and
with a higher metabolism you
burn more calories.
Water eliminates
toxins. Water aids the
elimination of by-products of
fat breakdown from your body
making you ‘cleaner’ and healthier,
restoring balance and helping you
stay in shape. So what are you
waiting for? Grab a glass!!!
Top tips for healthy
hydration
• im to drink 1 ½ - 2
A
litres of water per day.
That’s roughly 6-8 large
glasses. (It can be tap or
bottled, but it must be
pure water). Over half
the population only drink
between 1 and 4 glasses
of water daily, however.
• If you’re not used to
drinking much water
then build up slowly,
starting with a few
glasses per day.
• Carry a bottle of water
with you throughout the
day – keep track of how
much you drink and keep
re-filling your bottle as
necessary.
• If plain water is too bland
for you, add a slice of
lemon, lime or cucumber.
 LIVE IN FULL
HARMONY WITH YOUR
SKIN AND YOUR AGE

You can rely on our french dermatologists who are experts in : © opasstudio - Fotolia.com

• All treatments to combat anti-ageing

• Screening, treatment and follow up care for:
○ birthmarks/beauty spots and skin cancer
• Every aspect of Skin Care
To create a personalised treatment solution for you.
Use the Art of Dermatology and dare to show yourself!

La Maison Medicale
020 7589 9321
10 Cromwell Place, South Kensington, LONDON SW7 2JN
For more information, visit our website:
www.lamaisonmedicale.co.uk
16 wellness
focus
Bottled or tap?
Sparkling or still?
All types of water will help to
maintain hydration and it’s down
to personal taste which you prefer.
Tap water is treated to remove
harmful substances such as
agricultural contaminants, and
disinfected with chlorine. Placing a
covered jug of water in the fridge
until it is cool (around an
hour) will help to remove
chlorine traces (use within
24 hours). Using a water
filter will also remove
chlorine and improve
flavour.
Table water, offered
by some restaurants
at a high price, is
often just bottled
tap water that
has been filtered
to improve its
taste.
Spring water
may be treated
yourwellness.com
to remove certain minerals or
undesirable substances, but its
composition does not have to be
specified. In contrast, mineral
water is bottled at a single,
identified and protected source,
with a guaranteed consistent
composition and, by definition,
has not undergone any treatments.
Both are available as still or
sparkling.
Several common myths about
the safety of bottled water could
be leading consumers to make less
healthy drink choices, however,
according to the Natural Hydration
Council.
MYTH: The plastic used to
package bottled water. Contains a
harmful chemical called bisphenol
A (BPA).
FACT: The only plastic used
in the UK for drinking bottles is
polyethylene terephthalate (PET
or PETE). PET does
not contain BPA.
PET is completely
safe and complies
with all European
and national legal
requirements. This
confusion is often
made as BPA is a
chemical found
in another type
of plastic called
- Nelson Mandela
Let there be work, bread,
water and salt for all.
polycarbonate which is most often
found in reusable rigid water
containers.
MYTH: Drinking water
from a bottle that has been left in
the sun can cause cancer, as can
freezing water in a plastic bottle,
then drinking from it.
FACT: These health scares
began in 2002 when a Japanese
television programme broadcast
a theory that plastic water bottles
were unsafe. These claims have
since been discredited by Cancer
Research UK. The Internet is also
flooded with messages warning
against freezing water in plastic
bottles or cooking with plastics
in the microwave oven. These
myths are often falsely attributed
to Johns Hopkins University who
deny any involvement and do not
endorse their content.
According to Kinvara Carey,
General Manager of the Natural
Hydration Council, ‘Water is one
of the healthiest ways to hydrate
and we would be concerned if
these myths prevent people from
choosing naturally sourced bottled
water either at home or on the go.
These myths are worrying because
the claims they are making are
very serious. People should be
reassured that bottled water and
its packaging is perfectly safe.’
18 wellness
focus
- Michael Moore

Over a billion people on

this planet don’t have access
to clean drinking water.

Drink
Your Way
To Better
Health
Water coming from
the tap at your beck
and call is an amazing
phenomenon given that
many people do not get
this luxury globally. But
when here in the West
we pay such a high price
for our water, it isn’t
wrong to want to ensure
the water we get is not
compromising our health
in any way.

yourwellness.com

The Invisible Dangers
Lurking In Your Tap Water
The government tries to ensure we
all have clean drinking water so that
means it must be treated to kill the
bacteria that live in it. Although this is
necessary, the harsh chemicals used
still remain in the water long after it is
treated. Not only this, but as many as
300 different synthetic chemicals have
been identified in British tap water
in recent years, many of which can
destroy the good health you are trying
to build.
Some of the synthetic chemicals
include Antibiotics, Pesticides,
Insecticides, Birth Control Pills and
even Cocaine.
Are You Hydrating With
The Right Water?
When any new client hires me as
their natural nutritionist, one of the
first things I like to address is if they
are adequately hydrating themselves on
a daily basis. This moves beyond simply
advising them to drink roughly 2 litres
of water a day, but also explores what
type of water they are drinking.
Living healthily goes beyond simply
paying attention to the food you eat,
and should always extend to the water
you drink. If you really want to achieve
great health, I cannot stress enough the
importance of ensuring your tap water
is as clean and pure as possible to
lower the risk to health these chemicals
could pose to your health. Many of
these have only ever been tested on an
individual basis, and never collectively
over a long period of time.
The Biocera Jug can
transform the way you stay
hydrated. A unique
filtration system that produces
hydrogen-rich water to provide
powerful antioxidant support
for the body.
The Biocera Jug costs £57.75
with 2 filter cartridges from
www.water-for-health.co.uk
Options For Improving
Your Tap Water And
Health
In my opinion, tap water that has
been purified further through a good
quality filter attached either at the tap
or underneath the sink, is the best way
to remove the contaminants and toxins
that could be secretly damaging your
health.
One area you have more control over
than you may realise, is your tap water.
And improving this, as well as ensuring
you are well hydrated on a daily basis,
can bring many great benefits to skin
health, brain health and your fertility
status. I recommend both the below
products which are available from
www.water-for-health.co.uk
Energy Plus Water
Filtration Unit
This high quality, under the sink
unit, uses special media, a four stage
filtration unit and bioceramic minerals
to filter out most of the chemicals and
contaminants in tap water.
It is ideal if you are looking for
high levels of water purification as it
combines high levels of contaminant
removal including; chlorine, fluoride,
lead and other heavy metals, hardness,
bacteria, viruses, cysts and dissolved
organic contaminants such as benzene,
pesticide residues and THM’s. The unit
has the added benefits of advanced
bioceramic minerals to give you
healthy filtered alkaline water with
antioxidant properties, and its claims
have been approved independently by
The University of Edinburgh. It costs
19
£325.75 from www.water-for-health.
co.uk.
Biocera Alkaline Water
Filter Jug
This is a good starter option when
price is an issue that also uses the
bioceramics. This water jug helps to
lower levels of chlorine (which can
cause skin rashes), heavy metals (can
cause heavy metal toxicity causing
chronic pain and chronic malaise), and
other contaminants, but will not remove
as many chemicals as the Energy Plus
Water Filtration System.
This jug not only filters the water
to a small degree, it also alkalises the
water too (just like the Energy Plus
Water Filter Unit), helping you to
maintain your body’s overall preferred
blood pH of 7.36, all whilst releasing
molecular hydrogen - a powerful
antioxidant. It holds 1.8 litres of filtered
water and is an effective alternative to
expensive electronic water ionisers. It
is also BPA free, can easily fit in your
fridge door when you are not using it,
and may help you drink more water as
many people report how much better
their water tastes after the jug has
filtered it.
Amy Morris is a natural nutritionist
and founder of Great Health Naturally,
a company that offers nutrition
consultations and a lively blog
dedicated to helping people learn the
benefits that simple diet and lifestyle
changes can make to their health.
www.greathealthnaturally.co.uk
yourwellness.com
20 wellness
focus

Good Hydration
Protects Against
Heart Attack
And Stroke
Dehydration leads to sluggish blood flow and
increases the risk of abnormal blood clotting.
And it’s not just older people who are
affected. Summer heat can lead to sweating
and dehydration, which increases the risk of
a heart attack or stroke, especially in younger
adults – even those in their 40s or below.
yourwellness.com
Live Well
EVERYDAY

NOW ® offers quality natural products that empower

people to lead healthier lives.
Supplements • Personal Care • Sports Nutrition • Food

Available in fine health food stores nationwide

or call Vital Life directly on 0207 720 1441
or visit www.vital-life.org.uk
22 wellness
focus
The amount of water you need on
a daily basis depends on your level
of activity and the season. Average
fluid losses are around 2 to 3 litres
water per day, but when taking
vigorous exercise, or visiting a hot
country, however, you may lose twice
this amount or more. Athletes in hot
climates may lose as much as 10 litres
of fluid per day!
Tip: For every 20 minutes of
exercise you take during the day,
your fluid intake should increase
by a further 250ml.
Although your body has several
mechanisms to help control fluid
loss through the kidneys, by the
time you feel thirsty, you are already
significantly dehydrated.
Symptoms of
dehydration
Dehydration affects the way your
cells work, leading to lack of energy,
tiredness, poor concentration, reduced
alertness, recurrent headaches and
mood changes. It can also trigger
constipation and kidneys stones.
By far the most dangerous result of
dehydration, however, is that lack
of fluids increases the thickness and
stickiness of blood. This can lead to
blood clots, heart attack or stroke. Lack
of fluids, combined with excessive heat,
can also lead to sunstroke.
yourwellness.com
How to maintain good
hydration in hot weather
Drink fluids regularly throughout
the day rather than just drinking when
you feel thirsty. Carry a bottle of water
or sports drinks and sip regularly.
Some foods are good sources of
fluid, such as low-fat milk (eg on
cereals), soups, melons, cucumbers and
other juicy fruit and vegetables.
Herbal (non-caffeinated) teas are
both refreshing and an excellent source
of fluid that counts towards your total
water intake. Iced mint, lemon and
other herbal teas make a great summer
drink.
Try not to drink too much alcohol
which can have a diuretic effect to
increase dehydration. Have long
drinks rather than shorts eg add
mineral water to wine to make a more
refreshing spritzer; alternate alcoholic
and non-alcoholic drinks.
Protect yourself in the sun
by wearing a wide-brimmed hat,
sunglasses, loose clothing and use a
parasol for shade.
Mist yourself from a spray bottle to
avoid becoming overheated.
An early warning sign of
dehydration is passing less urine than
normal, which is darker in colour. Aim
to drink sufficient fluid to maintain
normal volume of urine which is pale
coloured.
To help prevent heat stroke,
acclimatise yourself to hot weather
slowly by spending gradually longer
periods of time in the heat, before
returning to cooler shade – full
acclimatisation can take up to three
weeks. Avoid strenuous exercise, drink
plenty of
fluids, and
cool off in
a shower
whenever
possible.
Excessive fluid
intake is also harmful –
it can overwhelm the kidneys
and lead to swelling of the brain.
Water intoxication can cause
symptoms of headache, dizziness,
nausea, confusion and, in extreme
cases, can lead to coma and death
although this is rare.
Drinking excessive amounts
of water can be triggered by
certain drugs, including illegal
ones such as Ecstasy. It can also
be caused by health conditions
that affect water balance such as
kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, and
uncontrolled diabetes.
Drinking excessive amounts
of water can also have a
psychological cause when it is
known as psychogenic polydipsia.
Most people will come to no harm
if they drink 2 to 3 litres of fluid
per day.
People with certain heart and
kidney problems may be advised
to restrict their fluid intakes for
medical reasons. Always follow
your doctor’s advice.
 emotional

3 steps
24 wellness

The
first
to Happiness
The latest World
Happiness Report
shows that the UK has
slipped down the list
of happiest countries
in the world, into 23rd
place. Why aren’t we
happier? The increasing
popularity and interest
in mindfulness and
well-being in recent
years has shown that
we are aware we could
be happier. So what do
we do about it?

yourwellness.com
 25

If you asked someone ‘Do you want about what really makes me happy but depression, boost self-esteem, and
to be happy?’ they would say ‘Yes’. We I’m pretty sure I’ve got it cracked now provide support.

all want to feel happier, that’s normal.
But if you were to ask people what
makes them happy, it may prove to be
slightly more difficult to explain for
some.
If you ask someone when they
were last happy, likely responses will
undoubtedly range from when I was
and this was the driving force behind
creating and launching FeedMyHappy.
We can all start with 3
simple steps to happiness
and can do these every
day to help us finish the
day with a smile on our
face.
3
Try something new! Get out
of your old routine. Different
things make different people
happy so if you don’t have
time for the week on a beach
that you think will make you happier,
find something that you can do that
will take less time.. There is a world

1
out walking the dog last week; when
Smile! Studies suggest that of opportunities out there that you
I went to the exercise classes with my
smiling, forced or not, can can try – a walk in the park at lunch
best friend on a Wednesday night, we
have a positive effect on your time (getting out into the fresh air can
used to really enjoy them; sitting on the
mood, decrease stress levels, even help creativity in this world of
sofa, engrossed in my latest book; when
and even make everyone multi-tasking); learn something new,
I passed my final year exams; sitting
around you feel better. What happy this can be anything from mindfulness,
outside my tent and watching the sun
news! to yoga to break-dancing just give it a
setting over the mountains; watching
go. And, if the first thing that you try
my son as he learnt and discovered
something new. A plethora of answers,
all different.
When did you last do this thing that
made you happy? I bet you’re going
to say it was ages ago and you just
haven’t had the time... am I right?
I had a similar discussion with my
husband one lunchtime last year. I
am generally a happy and content
person and I couldn’t understand his
dissatisfaction with his life at that
moment in time. I admit, I am not
always the most sympathetic of wives
and he kept coming up with reasons
for not doing things that could make

him happier; not enough time and not
being sure what he could do to make
himself happier being the two major
factors.
What I did understand was, we all
feel this way sometimes; weighed down
with work, relationship and social
obligations. I was lucky; I love cycling
and was able to fit this into my daily
life - thank heavens for commuting!
However, I had previously struggled
with the need for there to be more to
my life. Over the years I have chopped
and changed my mind many times
2
Get out there and connect
with those around you; spend
time with friends and family,
talk to your work colleagues,
don’t just sit behind your
laptop or tablet communicating
through technology. An Australian
study showed that the companionship
provided by friends may ward off

doesn’t really push your button, then

try something else!
- Omar Khayyam Oh and pop by www.FeedMyHappy.
com on your way, learn something
Be happy for this new, try something different, we really
have got something for everyone!
moment. This
Jennifer Hallwood is a director at
moment is your life. FeedMyHappy

yourwellness.com
26
emotional
wellness
It’s time to overcome
negativity and move
forward in your life
Overcoming your negativity is
primarily about changing your mind-
set. In other words, destroy the demon,
which has been holding you back and
stopping you from breaking free. You
set goals to move forward. You can do
anything you want to. No one can do
this without confidence, which is
the ability to be fully committed.
You need to have focus and
determination. Sometimes in
life we are thrown in the deep
end. We either take the blow as
the challenges increase, trying
to stay focused, or lose control.
Our failures make us stronger.
Life is what you want it to be.
You are in control of your life.
Life is the journey on which we
are all travellers. Depending on
your choice, you are either the
winner or you allow the journey
of failure to choose for you.
Whatever situation is holding
you back from achieving your
goal must be conquered. No
matter the home you were born
into, the different parts of the
universe knew you were unique.
This precious child who became
the main focus of both of your
parents, even the community, and
then the world at large. Everyone
is anxious to see what you will
become in the future you now
hold. This one is the one that
will bring home the bread and butter,
the one with the eagerness. With such
expectations going on in the minds of
all around you as you grow unaware
of what the future holds. Expectations
begin to grow, and one day you will
carry with pride the name of the family
to the world at large.
You are about to become an amazing
yourwellness.com
person who can take charge of your
life, stay with me from now on, as I
will use my story to show you how
I overcame obstacles in my life. Use
the right words daily in declaration of
what you want, especially when you
notice that all is not well around you.
Things that will not allow you to follow
through with your dreams. Say words
like, ‘I am great at what I do’, ‘I have the
ability to reach my potential in life.’
A confession or affirmation
must take place before if it is to
become manifested in the physical.
This helps to exercise the mind
whilst communicating with your
subconscious. You must not allow
what is being thought in the mind to
negatively impact your positive.
Irrational thinking will prevent you
from achieving your goals. It makes
you focus on the things or actions of
others, which are negative towards you.
Besides, you are a wonderful and
amazing person full of love.
It’s time to focus on you and
make a decision to take action. You
have a fire in you that can’t be put
out. Despite all the interruptions, I
have stayed focused, never allowing
any of the challengers at home or
at work to stop me in my tracks. I
remained on track, even when I got
off it I came back. The key focus
should always be on the task at
hand.
By setting daily life goals, you
can prioritise tasks, which in turn
will help you remain focused. Write
it down, make it clear. This is when
you start to write what you really
want to do in life. The bread and
butter only you can give yourself.
It also helps to write down your
dreams, as you can use them to
identify what really drives you in
the morning when you wake up.
The one thing that will keep you
awake and would not let go – write
it down. Feel your goal and touch it
as you live, this will soon come to
reality, only believe it.
Elizabeth James is the author of The
Soul Mender (£12.99, Panoma Press)
She has joint bachelors of honour
in Theology and Counseling from
the University of Middlesex, along
with a Diploma in Law. She is a
Christian counselor, a TV host and a
motivational speaker.
 La Maison Medicale
Welcomes you to our London Clinic at:
10 Cromwell Place, SW7 2JN
Tube : South Kensington

Information & Appointments

020 7589 9321

www.lamaisonmedicale.co.uk
OUR SERVICES :
Angiology & Vascular Medicine • Dermatology • Dietician & Nutritionist
Ultra-Sound • Endocrinology • Cosmetic Treatment of Legs
Gastroenterology & Colorectal Medicine • Gynaecology
Neurology • Ophthalmology • Osteopath • Ear, Nose and Throat
Travel Medicine • Paediatrics • Pneumology-Allergology
Psychiatry • Midwifery and Nursing Care

Approved by the Care Quality Commission

28
family
wellness
Sleep
Like a
Baby
There is, however, a big incentive for
parents to take their children out for
fresh air each day - and that’s a good
night’s sleep! Recent research shows
that babies who are exposed to natural
daylight during the afternoon will sleep
longer at night time. The study, which
was published in the Journal of Sleep
Research suggested that spending time
outdoors in natural daylight helped
babies to establish their circadian
rhythm which is essential for setting
the body clock, allowing babies to
yourwellness.com
distinguish between day and night.
Interestingly, the time of day is
important when heading outdoors
with baby, as experts have found
that afternoon daylight in particular
is most beneficial. During the study
the sleeping habits of 56 babies were
recorded and those who slept the
longest at night time were found to
have been exposed to twice as much
light between midday and 4pm.
So if you’re a parent who would like
to improve your baby’s sleep patterns,
In the past, parents
regularly put their babies
outside in their prams
to get a good dose of
fresh air each day. But
today, many parents
worry about babies being
too hot or too cold, or
worry about strangers, so
they keep them indoors
more often. And with
the increase of cars and
indoor shopping centres,
children are spending less
and less time outside.
try to get out in the fresh air each day.
Don’t worry about the weather – even
on an overcast or rainy day, your
baby will still get the benefits. Keep
waterproofs and rain covers ready so
that you can pop out whatever the
conditions.
For more information about healthy
sleep for all ages, visit:
www.sleepcouncil.org.uk
 29

Are you protected against

card fraud? Protect the card itself
– Always know where your cards
do; however, schemes such as Verified
by Visa add an extra layer of security.
According to the are, and never lend them out, even Protect your PIN – Never
to someone you trust – their moment write down your PIN, and certainly
latest data from the of carelessness could lead to a costly don’t carry a note of it in your wallet or
UK Cards Association, experience for you. Most retail staff card holder. It might seem safe to store
don’t even touch your card nowadays, PINs and passwords on your computer
fraud losses on UK but when you use your card in a shop, or smartphone, but if someone steals it
restaurant or anywhere else, keep your
debit and credit eyes on it at all times. Don’t let anyone
and your cards, you could be handing
them a licence to spend your money.
cards total almost take it away, no matter how plausible While the danger of fraud is real,
their reason.
£500 million a year. If it only takes a little care to keep your
Protect your card card and details safe, and it’s always
you want to protect details – If you receive a phone call worth the extra effort.
your cards – and or email asking for your card details,
you should be immediately suspicious.
you should – then a If the contact claims to be from the
three-step approach police or your bank, call them back, and
use a number you know to be correct.
helps to provide some If your card details are stored in a
peace of mind. retailer’s database and they’re
hacked, there’s little you can

yourwellness.com
32
family
wellness

Ways to wean
your family
off sugar

yourwellness.com
 33

A report by Cancer Research UK

and the UK Health Forum showed
We know it’s bad for that a 20% tax on sugary drinks could
reduce obesity rates by 5% in the UK
us, but that doesn’t by 2025. That’s the equivalent of 3.7
million fewer obese people. Whether
always seem to matter. or not the government enforces an
Sugary foods and official sugar tax remains to be seen,
and the reality is that we cannot
drinks just taste so afford to wait around for it to come
darn good! into force. We need to take action
ourselves.
Three big reasons to
As human beings, it’s give up sugar
not always easy to Carly Tierney, a personal trainer
and nutritionist at DW Fitness Clubs,
resist things that are

2
gives three top reasons for starting a Better gut health
bad for our health. sugar detox. - steer clear of
sugary yoghurt
However, Britain’s drinks, though!
addiction to sugar is Sugar breeds bad
bacteria in your gut. Given that a
so serious that a ‘sugar majority of your immune system
tax’ aimed at making is controlled in your tummy it’s
no surprise that an overgrowth
unhealthy products less of bacteria triggered by too much
sugar affects our health. Indigestion,
affordable (and thus diarrhoea, constipation and irritable
less appealing) has bowels are a few signs that bad
bacteria is starting to take over any
already been unveiled. good bacteria that might exist. A good
probiotic can help, the pill form, not
the sugary yoghurt drinks!

1
Weight loss (this
time it’s for good!)
You’ll shed weight - and
quickly, too! You’ll be able
to control your insulin better. In
turn, your blood sugar levels will be
under much better control. You’re not
dieting, you’re simply eating healthier.
When most people go on a diet, they
- Derrick Rose cut calories, often far too low, with

no real care given to the quality of
Everybody’s got food they eat. The weight lost dieting
almost always makes its way back
their poison, and around your belly eventually. When
you cut out sugar, the focus is on
mine is sugar. the sweet stuff, not calories. If you
steer clear of sugar there is a good
chance that your weight loss will be
permanent.
3
Improved mood
You may not know it,
but if you’re struggling
with anxiety or depression,
cutting out sugar could
help. There was a piece published
in the British Journal of Psychiatry
that showed that middle-aged people
who regularly consumed processed

yourwellness.com
34 wellness
family
foods, typically high in refined sugar, and a couple of eggs, for example. Learn the other names
were much more likely to suffer from Earlier this month, Cancer Research for sugar - Fructose, corn syrup,
depression than those who ate a less UK revealed that Brits really do love sucrose, etc. Sugar has many guises
processed diet. Sugar is massively their breakfast, so much so that 80% and as this source suggests, there are
addictive. Feeling good, almost high, of people have eaten breakfast foods at least 61 different names for it on
when you eat something sugary is a for dinner at least once. One in three food labels. Familiarise yourself with
sign that you need to hit the brakes. of us eat ‘brinner’ at least once a week, them!
Sugar ignites our brain’s pleasure with eggs on toast being a particular
zone, which is activated again when favourite. Save up your sugar for
we indulge in something sugary. This the good stuff! - The idea of
vicious cycle continues until the pattern
Limit alcohol - Alcohol cutting down on sugar is not to say that
contains more calories than sugar per you never eat it again but rather that
is finally broken. It’s hard at first, but
gram. Not only that but it leads to a you save its consumption for treats
like giving up anything else addictive it
vicious cycle for sugary cravings. We’ve like a slice of
gets easier and the cravings eventually
all woken up the morning after a night cake. Foods
stop.
on the sauce and tried like soup,
11 ways to remove to eat every scrap of dressings,
sugar from your diet unhealthy food in yoghurt and
the house. cereal don’t
Learn where it lies - Okay, have to be,
you know that chocolate, Exercise - and really
cake and cola are Exercise helps to
shouldn’t be,
off limits, but reduce stress
sugary.
sugar will levels, which
still get is a major Buy products that are
you! contributor unsweetened - Add more
It can to sweet cravings. natural flavours
lurk in the Exercise also supports such as
least obvious of blood sugar level control, vanilla,
leaves you feeling cinnamon,
places. Foods such as
energised, helps you sleep lemon,
cereal, flavoured yoghurt, granola bars,
and makes you healthier. lime and
fruit, ketchup, salad dressings, pasta
nutmeg;
sauces and alcohol can all have high Don’t give up great
sugar content, so make sure you read on snacks - You can’t for your
the labels. have that confectionery
waistline
bar but that doesn’t mean
Make small changes you shouldn’t eat regularly.
and just
first - Rather than cut it out Snacks like two oatcakes with a slice
as tasty. We’ll give you a few practical
completely, perhaps start with your examples shortly.
of avocado and
drinks. Lose the sugar Stick with it! - Giving up
some cottage
in your tea, switch from cheese, or a sugar can initially feel impossible. But if
squeezed orange juice fat-free Greek you learn to make your own dressings
to flavoured water and yoghurt, and get used to the food swaps, you
start checking berries can be sugar savvy. The health benefits
the sugar and outweigh any initial discomfort or
content in nuts, are frustration. You’ll notice that fresh
different perfect. foods taste better than ever as your
brands of food habits change and will find that
the same Get your vitamins - your cravings naturally decrease.
foods. especially vitamins B and C, which help
to produce energy from the food that For some delicious, sugar-free sweet
Don’t skip breakfast - we eat. treats, see this month’s nutrition section.
Breakfast keeps your blood sugar levels
stable, meaning you’re less Carly Tierney is DW Fitness Club’s
likely to reach personal trainer, a nutritionist, an
for that ambassador for South Yorkshire Eating
chocolate Disorders Association and an award-
bar. winning Bikini Fitness contestant.
An ideal
breakfast
would be oats

yourwellness.com
WHY NATURAL
XYLITOL SHOULD
BE YOUR SUGAR
ALTERNATIVE
OF CHOICE…
Xylitol is a natural sugar alternative, which was originally found
in hard wood – hence its name, which is derived from the Greek
word ‘xyl’ meaning wood. Xylitol isn’t just a lower calorie

to the fact it creates an alkaline environment in the mouth,

which make it an indispensable addition to any health conscious
kitchen and has led to it being recommended not only by
nutritionists and health professionals, but also by dentists.

Why choose xylitol? Whilst xylitol may look and taste just like sugar it

Dental Health Dieting and diabetes*

When xylitol is broken down in the
mouth it makes an alkaline environment,
instead of an acidic one like sugar. This
harmful bacteria and reduces plaque and
has even been seen to help improve
enamel remineralization. There are
literally hundreds of studies to support
this, and the claim that xylitol helps with
dental health has been approved by the
European Food Safety Authority.
* If in any doubt always consult your doctor
†
and food intake. American Journal of Nutrition
having a very low GI (glycaemic index)
value of just 7 – nearly ten times lower
on blood sugar levels than sugar and
is therefore a fantastic choice for those
with diabetes* and dieters. In fact
studies† have shown those who sweeten
their food with xylitol, instead of sugar,
other sweeteners or nothing at all, go on
to eat less throughout the day. On top of
this, xylitol has 40% less calories than
carbohydrates.
Unlike many other sugar alternatives,
xylitol has the same sweetness as sugar,
meaning you don’t have to alter recipes
to use it. Simply replace sugar for xylitol
‘one-for-one’ in normal recipes, tea,
fruit or cereal; thus easily incorporating
safe in the knowledge xylitol is 100%
natural, being found in many plants and
even made by our own bodies.

HOW TO BENEFIT FROM XYLITOL:

Total Sweet is Europe’s leading xylitol brand, being made from sustainable non GMO plant sources, and is
available from selected Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco, Ocado, Holland and Barrett and health stores. For more
information on xylitol and Total Sweet, including some fantastic healthy recipes and full stockist details visit:

www.totalsweet.co.uk
36
exercise
wellness

Rowing
Is The Ultimate
Get-Fit Option

yourwellness.com

Rowing is one of the best all-round
forms of exercise, working not just
Researchers believe the your leg muscles, but also those in
your arms, buttocks, back, chest and
ancient Greeks had a abdomen.
According to Personal Trainer
level of physical fitness Patrick Cole, who is a Skandika
that would put most Fitness’ Training Consultant based
in Germany, ‘Rowing is an ideal full
modern gym-goers body workout that is really easy on
to shame – thanks to the joints. There are just so many
benefits. It is great for strength
the physical demands training with the leg press and low
of rowing. Exercise row, can burn loads of calories with
interval training and is great as a
physiologists at the cardiovascular exercise to improve
University of Leeds have your heart function. What really
appeals is that rowing gives such a
found that the men who good overall workout to your legs,
rowed Greek warships at core, arms and shoulders, rather than
focusing too much on one area as
the speeds and distances many exercises do.’
mentioned in historical He recommends rowing as an ideal
exercise to stay fit in your own home.
texts, were significantly It is relatively easy with just a few
fitter than modern important tips:
Never round the spine, and always
marathon runners or keep your back upright. It’s important
Tour de France cyclists. to keep your core engaged especially
during the leg press phase, and as
you lean back slightly to pull the
handles to your chest.
If you want to train long-term and
in a flexible manner, you can do so at
home by investing what you would
have spent in gym fees into buying
your own rowing machine. No more
traffic jams or parking problems –
just a private workout in front
of your own TV.
37
The Nemo is a high quality rowing
machine that delivers a combination
of cardio fitness and strength training
using the power of water. The Nemo
is suitable for anyone, regardless of
gender, weight, age or level of fitness.
The new continuously adjustable,
fluid resistance technology lets you
dial up the level of water resistance
you need with a single turn of the
knob. Both beginners and advanced
users can train at their desired level.
The Nemo features a smooth
rowing motion, as the three-wing
driving wheel in the water tank
ensures a consistently uniform
motion. The swishing sound of the
water increases the natural feel of
the training and makes it particularly
authentic. Close your eyes and you
can imagine you’re on a river, gliding
through the water in your rowing
boat.
The comfortably padded seat
slides across the aluminium tracks
on precision rollers, while the gently
tilted foot holders are constructed so
that your arms and legs are always
synchronized during the rowing
motion. The large performance
monitor continuously records your
speed, distance, time, calories and
strokes.
Once your training session is
over, the exercise machine can be
conveniently and quickly stored
upright.
The Skandika Rower Nemo rowing
machine is available from Amazon
(RRP £1,499 but currently at a
sale price of £599 http://amzn.
to/1oQPuLL) For more information
visit www.skandika.com and www.
facebook.com/skandika
yourwellness.com
38
exercise
wellness
What’s Your
Excuse?
When Fitness First asked some of
its 170,000 members why their gym
visits had become less frequent, they
received some interesting reasons.
And the most creative excuses for
not exercising tended to occur on
a Friday as the weekend kicked off.
Have you used any of the following?
‘I didn’t want to chip my
embellished nail art.’
‘I had an allergic reaction to the
gym.’
‘My wife didn’t want me getting
any hotter before our holiday!’
‘I needed to get home and check if
a parcel had arrived.’
‘A fortune teller advised me not to
exercise this month.’
‘I didn’t take the right trainers to
do squats in.’
‘The class made my hair go frizzy.’
‘I’d had such a stressful day, I
needed chocolate.’
To help maintain motivation and
avoid the need for excuses, Fitness
First has developed a new fitness
tool to keep its members on track
to avoid falling off the health and
fitness wagon. Each member is
asked four simple questions about
their training preferences, then a
digital training system, CustomFit,
yourwellness.com
generates a selection of tailored
workouts that they will enjoy and
not feel the need to avoid. The
• Set monthly short-term targets
– it could be a longer running
distance, inches from your body
system also allows members to or simply being able to lift more
create personalised workouts, set weight, setting timescales is a
goals and track their progress. great way to maintain motivation.
Professor Stuart Biddle, of • Don’t fall off the wagon after
Loughborough University, who one day - take each day at a time.
worked with Fitness First on a Don’t worry if you don’t stick to
report around the science behind the eating plan or the workout
motivation, said, ‘There is a common
plan all of the time. If you have
misconception about what motivates a bad day don’t let it go into a
us to exercise, and why we don’t downwards spiral.
maintain good behaviours. Most of
• Start some good habits – being
us mistakenly believe that when we
fit and healthy is a lifestyle choice
fail to stick to our good intentions,
so follow motivational people
it’s because we lack willpower. But
and watch videos to keep you
the reality is that we have much less
focused.
control over our motivation than we
Fitness First is a global fitness
think.’
brand with 320 clubs worldwide,
Important tips reaching over 852,000 members in
include: 16 countries.
• Set yourself goals – whether it’s
a competition in six months’ time
or a special occasion next year,
always set an end goal that is in
sight.
 YourLifestyle
products

Specially designed
formula to support your
daily needs

Health claims approved by EFSA

(European Food Safety Authority)
 Vitamin A, C, B6, B12, Zinc, Iron and Copper individually
contribute to the normal function of the immune
system.
Packed full of
vitamins,  Vitamin B6, B12, C, Magnesium, Riboavin, Niacin, Iron and
contribute to the reduction
Pantothenic Acid individually

minerals and
of tiredness and fatigue.
 Vitamins C & E, Manganese, Zinc, Riboavin and Copper

Korean Ginseng
individually contribute to the protection of cells from
oxidative stress.
to help you feel your best. Also contains Korean Ginseng

Don’t delay, call today

0208 619 0025
csuk@yourlifestyle.com
YL.0068.000 www.yourlifestyle.com
40
exercise
wellness

Toned Arms
Made Easy
Want to lose arm fat? It’s not as easy as it sounds,
as it involves firming up nine different muscles
including the triceps, biceps and shoulder muscles.
A few dumbbell exercises won’t do it alone. Here’s
what will!

Planks - Start by mastering yoga is an excellent way to strengthen

a standard plank position. Begin
with 30 seconds and ramp it up to
three minutes or more. Once you’re
comfortable, get more adventurous
with some adaptations, such as the
Pilates press.
Yoga - There’s no denying that
muscles, improve flexibility and tone
up. A set of asanas will help you
achieve those rock solid arms.
Push-Ups - One of the best
ways to lose arm fat. With every
increased count, you know that you
are increasing muscle tone and saying
goodbye to the flab.

Arm Circles – Stand with

Swimming - Ever seen
the sculpted arms on professional
swimmers? Swimming on a regular
basis can help you achieve something
similar.
your arms wide open and move them in
clockwise and anti-clockwise direction
with stiff arms. Then, face your palm in
front, with arms wide open and push
your arms forward. Repeat with your
palms faced backwards, upwards and
downwards. Now, fold your arms to
ninety degree so as your fingertips face
upwards with the palms towards your
face. Push your palms inwards in small
movements, then repeat with your palm
faced outwards.
Do these exercises regularly and you
will soon notice the difference!

yourwellness.com
To maintain an active lifestyle NEW

as you get older, looking after

your limbs is essential.

Our bodies rely on a careful balance of

vitamins, nutrients and other
substances to support a lifetime of
wear and tear. Some of these
compounds are obtained from your diet,
others are made by your own body.

Many people choose to

supplement with Glucosamine. Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCl 1500mg

ONLY
£15.95
Glucoex contains 1500mg of Glucosamine
Sulphate 2KCl in a vanilla avoured tablet. Plus P & P
Call our
Order Line 0208 619 0025
csuk@yourlifestyle.com | www.yourlifestyle.com

Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCl 1500mg

YL.0051.002
42
relationship
wellness

Is There A - Wayne Dyer

Toxic
How people
treat you is
their karma;
how you react

Relationship
is yours.

In Your Life?
Over-eating, smoking and excessive alcohol are all
unhealthy lifestyle choices, but there is something
as equally detrimental to your health that you may
struggle to quit.

yourwellness.com

Friends should be good for your
emotional wellness. They should bring
you laughter, love and loyalty. However,
at one time or another you may
experience (or even currently be in the
midst of ) an addictive toxic relationship
– whether it’s platonic or romantic.
Even if you’re not, there’s a very
good chance you are, or have been,
a friend or relative of someone who
is currently in that predicament. And
you are, no doubt, frustrated with their
decision to stay in that relationship -
especially if you find yourself having
to lend a sympathetic ear about
controlling and manipulative behaviour.
Ironically, if you tell them to end
the relationship, you are likely to be
labelled a ‘bad’ friend.
The reality is, it’s extremely difficult
to walk away from a relationship, even
if that relationship makes you unhappy.
It’s easier to make excuses for the other
person, to others and yourself. You tell
yourself that the happy aspects of the
relationship outweigh the negative.
Worse still, you end up in arguments
with ‘better’ friends who offer well-
intentioned advice.
Five indicators of a toxic
relationship
Abusive and unhealthy relationships
are disturbingly common. According
to psychologists, there are five main
indicators that you are in a toxic
relationship:
• You are constantly put down or
undermined.
• The relationship serves their needs
and rarely yours.
• You are subject to controlling
behaviour.
• You’re uncomfortable being yourself
when you’re with them.
• You feel as if you’re not allowed to
grow or change.
According to Howard Halpern,
psychotherapist and author of ‘How
To Break Your Addiction To A Person’,
the continuation of these relationships
is a result of ‘attachment hunger’. In
his book, he lists three identifiable
things that can define an addictive
relationship:
Compulsion – You’re driven
to merge with that person, even when
you know it’s not healthy.
Fear – You panic at the thought
of losing them. It’s as if your identity,
self–worth and survival depends on
them. Of course, much of this can be
down to low-self-esteem.
Withdrawal – Even though
you’re not happy with them, you feel
unhappy without them. When the
relationship does end, you experience
withdrawal symptoms, including
depression and physical pain,
particularly in the chest and stomach.
Trying to repair the
irreparable
Interestingly, an economics
theory, the ‘Sunk Cost Fallacy’ can
help explain why it is that we avoid
quitting an unhealthy relationship. The
theory stems from people’s natural
tendency to avoid losses. In the case of
relationships, people look at the time,
effort, and energy that has gone into
a relationship and conclude that too
much has been invested in it to give it
up.
It’s much like spending money to
fix something that will inevitably break
again, when it would be more cost-
effective to throw it out and buy new.
In relationships, time does not always
equal value.
Knowing when it’s time
to quit
Other reasons for not ending a toxic
43
relationship include embarrassment
at the failure of the relationship, fear
of loneliness and fear of the other
person’s reaction. While there is no
avoiding the inevitable grief that
accompanies the feeling of loss from
the end of a relationship, knowing
when to quit can have big physiological
and psychological benefits.
Studies have shown that people
who are better able to let go when
they can’t attain a desired goal suffer
less depressive symptoms, have lower
cortisol levels and lower levels of
systemic inflammation – a marker of
immune functioning. In other words,
they develop fewer physical health
problems over time.
Ultimately, when it comes to an
unhealthy relationship, the only
solution is to walk away, because it’s
highly unlikely that person will ever
change. Staying in that relationship
and hoping that they will change is a
dead-end. If it’s a long-term relationship
and they haven’t changed by now, they
never will. The only outcome will be
further inevitable pain.
By making that break, and freeing
yourself from a negative situation, you
are opening your world up to other
possibilities, and, if it’s a romantic
relationship, increasing your chances of
meeting someone with whom you can
have a happy and healthy relationship.
yourwellness.com
44
relationship
wellness

Are you a
catfish parent? And now there is a growing breed
of ‘catfish’ parents who create fake
Are you familiar with social media accounts to spy on their
kids. A survey by VoucherCodesPro.
the term ‘catfishing’? co.uk found that just over 20 per cent
of UK parents have created a fake
It’s the act of creating a account for this purpose. Of course,
fake online persona in kids aren’t stupid and the same
research showed that of those who
order to lure someone had tried to dupe their kids, almost
into a relationship. For one in two (47 per cent) were found
out.
example, a husband It’s easy to see what drives parents
who suspects his wife to use such devious techniques to
check up on their kids. Every day we
is using online dating hear reports of cyber bullying and
sites could create a online exploitation. Naturally parents
want to ensure that their children are
fake account on a safe. But using social media to spy is
dating website, using
a fictitious name and
borrowed picture to
see if his wife makes
contact.
unlikely to be the best option.
So what can you do instead? The
first step is to talk to your kids about
what they do online. They might not
want to tell you everything but talk
honestly with them about the risks
of social media and how to stay safe
online.
There are also websites and apps
available that you can use to get a
broad overview of what your child
is doing online, without going as far
as spying on entire conversations.
You can even let your child know
that you are using these systems to
help maintain openness between you.
Examples include www.uknowkids.com
and http://mamabearapp.com.

yourwellness.com
 ®

NOW® offers quality natural

products that empower people
to lead healthier lives.
Supplements • Personal Care
Sports Nutrition • Food

Available in fine health food

stores nationwide
or call Vital Life directly on
0207 720 1441
or visit www.vital-life.org.uk
46 wellness
nutrition
- Cynthia Kenyon

Sugar is the
new tobacco.

Try These
Sugar Free
sweet treats Health professionals have highlighted the dangers
of sugar and artificial sweeteners for a long time now,
and finally scientific research is mounting up to back
the claims. Not only does sugar contain no essential
nutrients, excess can cause many health issues like tooth
decay, obesity and heart disease. Too much sugar can
cause insulin resistance leading to metabolic syndrome
and diabetes and elevated insulin levels brought on by
high sugar intake has been shown to cause inflammation
and cancer. The list goes on.
Unfortunately, sugar is addictive and even after
knowing all the dangers, giving up all the delicious
sweet treats you enjoy seems pretty bleak. Luckily all is
not doom and gloom - there are lots of ways to satisfy
those sugar cravings using natural, less damaging sugar
alternatives.
Try swapping sugar
for natural unprocessed
sweeteners like raw honey,
coconut sugar (jaggery), 100%
date syrup and stevia, as well
as using fruits, dried fruits and
fruit juices. Spices like vanilla
and cinnamon are also nutritious
ways to sweeten dishes.

yourwellness.com
 47

Healthy Pancakes Recipe courtesy of Carly Tierny,

(Serves 4) Personal Trainer and Nutritionist
for DW Fitness Clubs
A great way to start the day, these pancakes
are sweetened with apple and cinnamon.
You can make them extra healthy by
using other flours like whole grain, oat,
buckwheat, quinoa or a combination.

Chocologic is a new brand of

chocolate with no added sugar.
Instead, it is sweetened with
natural Stevia extracts from
the leaves of an Amazonian
plant. The delicious Belgian
chocolate is available in three
flavours; Milk, Milk with
Hazelnut, and Dark. £1 to £2
from supermarkets.

Ingredients
110g of plain flour, sifted 2 apples

Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 whole egg Half a teaspoon of

powdered nutmeg
2 egg whites
Low-fat Greek yoghurt
275 ml of skimmed milk

Method
1. Crack your eggs into a bowl and gradually add the milk and flour,
mixing until you have a lovely smooth batter. Add a splash of olive oil to a
pan and heat it up before pouring your pancake mixture in.
2. Slice your apples and stew them in a small amount of boiling water for
a couple of minutes.
3. Add your cinnamon and nutmeg and continue to heat through until the
apples are soft. Scoop your mixture on to your pancakes and add some
Greek yoghurt to the mix.

yourwellness.com
48 wellness
nutrition
Flourless
Almond
And Walnut
Brownies
(Makes 12)

These moist, chocolatey treats taste

too decadent to be so healthy. No
one will guess the superfood star
ingredient is beetroot!

Ingredients
250g cooked beetroot

3 organic eggs

1 cup almond flour

1/4 cup raw cacao with extra for

dusting

1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

2 tbsp Stevia or 1/4 cup date Method

syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Pinch of rock salt
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
2. Put the beetroot, eggs, cacao, cinnamon, stevia, vanilla and salt into a blender
and process until smooth. Stir in the almond flour, walnuts and baking powder.
3. Line a rectangular tin with baking paper. Transfer the mixture to the tin and
smooth over. Bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
4. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with cacao powder and slice.

Purition wholefood protein shake powders contain only delicious natural flavours such as
Macadamia and Vanilla, Coconut, Chocolate, Almond, Pistachio, and Raw Vegan Hemp. Each
contains a sprinkling of the natural sweetener stevia to balance flavours, and a protein boost from
Devon whey and European grown hemp. No artificial ingredient in sight. Add to milk, nut milk or
yoghurt to create a delicious nutritional smoothie or shake. £22.95 each, or £12.99 for a sample of
all six shakes from www.purition.co.uk.

yourwellness.com
 NOW offers quality natural
®

products that empower people

to lead healthier lives.
Supplements • Personal Care
Sports Nutrition • Food
50 wellness
nutrition
Key Lime Pie
Here we’re using lime, honey and vanilla
to give the dish some natural sweetness.
There’s no need for added sugar at all!

Alpro Oat Original is

naturally low in fat, with no
added sugar, and a soft and
natural taste. Alpro Oat
Original is the perfect
product for porridge, and can
be added to coffee or cereal.
Oat Original is 100%
plant-based and an easy way
to add some much needed
fibre to your diet.
Recipe courtesy of Carly Tierny, Personal
Trainer and Nutritionist for DW Fitness Clubs

Ingredients
10 sugar-free, cinnamon
Graham crackers - most large
supermarkets stock a version
of these
½ cup of fat-free Greek yoghurt
2 tablespoons of butter/low-fat
margarine

3 tablespoons of honey 3 medium egg yolks

1 ½ cups of almond milk Optional: Fresh vanilla pods (avoid

vanilla extract as this contains 13g
½ cup of lime juice of sugar per 100g on average)
Lime zest

Method
1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees C.
2. Use a food blender to turn your crackers into fine crumbs. Combine
these with your melted butter, honey and a tiny pinch of salt, and press the
mixture into the bottom of a baking tin.
3. Bake in the oven for around 10 minutes.
4. Now mix your almond milk, yoghurt, eggs, lime juice and zest into a
bowl and whisk vigorously. You can add your vanilla in at this point if you
are using it. Pour this mixture on top of your crumbly base and put in the
oven for a further 15 minutes.
5. Allow it to cool and then place the pie in the fridge for at least four
hours. For best results, leave to set overnight.
6. A traditional key lime pie will have cream on top, but our version is
healthier and still tastes fantastic. If you are feeling indulgent (everyone’s
allowed a ‘cheat day’, right?) whip some cream up and pipe it on to the top
of your pie.

yourwellness.com
 51

Nutmeg, Raisin And Coconut Berry Popsicles

Cookies (makes 15-20) (makes 6-8 depending on mould size)

This is an easy recipe that makes use of the natural sweetness of
numerous delicious ingredients.
Recipe courtesy of Carly Tierny, Personal Trainer and
Nutritionist for DW Fitness Clubs
These are so simple to make and a super
healthy, zero fat treat packed with vitamin
C and immune boosting antioxidants. For a
creamier version try adding coconut milk or
plain yoghurt.

Ingredients
1 ½ cups of hot water 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 cup of raisins 50g desiccated coconut Ingredients
1 cup of oats OR almonds – 2 teaspoons of honey OR 1
you choose! teaspoon of Stevia sweetener 3 cups of fresh or frozen berries

1 teaspoon of baking powder ½ cup of butter 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg 2 eggs
Sweetener of your choice to taste (stevia,
raw honey, malls syrup, date syrup etc)
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C. Method
2. Add your raisins, nutmeg and cinnamon into hot water and leave to 1. Add all ingredients to your blender and
soak for around five minutes. process on high, stopping occasionally to
scrape down the sides if needed. Add a little
3. Meanwhile, mix your oats/almonds, coconut, butter, eggs, baking water if the mixture isn’t circulating in the
powder and honey/sweetener in a bowl. blender.
4. Add your raisin, nutmeg and cinnamon mixture to the bowl and work into 2. Adjust sweetener or other ingredients if
a dough. You may need to add a little more water as you work the mixture. It needed, and blend a little more.
needs to be smooth and supple enough to shape into separate cookies.
3. Pour the mixture into popsicle moulds,
5. Use a cookie cutter (or do it by hand) to create 15-20 separate
secure lids (and sticks depending on your
biscuits. Place them on a greased tray.
mould), and freeze for several hours or
6. Bake in the oven at 160 C for 10-15 minutes. overnight.

yourwellness.com
52 wellness
debate
For Should we Judge
Against Politicians on
their Appearance?
Are you For or Against?
For – Josie
It’s impossible to separate a person’s appearance from their overall
Whether they are personality so I think it’s perfectly fair to judge politicians on the way they
look. We can’t get to know politicians personally, so we often have to make a
criticised for their weight, judgement based on how they present themselves. If someone is scruffy and
dress sense or facial overweight it could suggest that they struggle with self-discipline– and if they
can’t look after something as simple as their appearance, why should we trust
expressions, today’s them to run the country? Everything politicians say these days is carefully
politicians have their scripted by a spin doctor or PR guru so all we can really trust is a politician’s
appearance. In the past, people didn’t have the benefit of seeing politicians on
looks scrutinised like television so couldn’t get to know them like we can today. It’s also important
never before. But should to remember that many politicians have to represent us internationally. We
need to be confident that they have the right demeanour to be taken seriously
we judge our politicians on a world stage and fight for our best interests. It’s often hard to separate
on their appearance? one politician from another but their appearance – not just their clothes but
how they carry themselves, shake hands, walk, and talk are easy ways for us
to assess their character. At the end of the day, everyone gets judged on their
appearance to some degree. Why should it be any different for our politicians?

Against – Amanda
The media is obsessed with a politician’s appearance, but really all that
should matter is their policies. Female politicians in particular are judged on
everything from their hairstyles to the shoes they wear but the men don’t
escape scrutiny, either. Whether they are attacked for being too geeky, too
smarmy, overweight or frumpy, this obsession with appearance is detracting
from the real issues. At election time it becomes even worse. No televised
debate can occur without the media going into the tiniest detail about what
the candidates wore – even the colour of their tie is scrutinised. This means
that people choose politicians based on their looks and the best person for
the job doesn’t necessarily get the votes – just because they didn’t look the
part. Decades ago it mattered much less what politicians looked like. Before
everyone had television and 24-hour news, people judged politicians on their
track record and their policies. I really wish we could go back to those values
– we’d have much better political figure-heads, rather than just a bunch of
people who are all essentially the same and have got the job because they
look the part. It may be a cliché but you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Just because someone looks posh, for example, doesn’t mean they are out
of touch with the people. And someone who looks like a scatterbrain could
actually be incredibly intelligent. Sadly, people are too quick to make lazy
stereotypes.

What do you think? Should we judge a politician on how they look? Visit
www.yourwellness.com to register your vote!

yourwellness.com
Diets make you miserable with no guarantee of weight loss. Opriimo is different. It's a revolutionary
new medical product designed to manage your appetite. It's non-invasive, clinically proven and
comes with FREE 1-to-1 support from our Qualified Nutritionist. FREE
NUTRITIONAL
SUPPORT

Just take capsules before mealtimes, and let Opriimo do the rest.

Order online or call us today!

www.opriimo.com
Tel: 0208 619 0021

ALLY ER
TIFIE
a YourLifestyle brand C
D
C
INI

MDD
CL

93/42/EEC
WM.0003.001
0481
54 wellness
experts

Sally-Ann Tarver,
Consultant Trichologist

Dr Carlos Xavier,
Anti-ageing Specialist

I am a 55 year old woman with thinning hair which has thinned

gradually over the last 5 years. I’ve tried Minoxidil and numerous
supplements but my hair continues to thin and my parting widens.
Dr Tim Robinson,
GP I’ve seen my GP about it on numerous occasions but he tells me
it’s just part of getting older and if there were a cure for baldness
everyone would be using it. My thin hair has caused me to lose
confidence in my appearance and I am sure if it continues I will need
to wear a wig.

Sally-Ann Tarver says: Loss of confidence and self-esteem is common when

Dr Emma Mardlin,
Clinician in Mind Body Medicine
Dr Sarah Brewer,
Medical Nutritionist
women lose hair. Being in your mid-50’s, unfortunately, most GP’s would
automatically diagnose Female Pattern Baldness (FPB). However, it’s still worth
looking at other reasons to ensure nothing has been missed. Conditions such
as hypothyroidism are relatively common in women over 50 and cause hair
thinning. Low iron, B12 and vitamin D are common hair loss culprits, so it makes
sense to have these tested, too. If there is a family history of hair thinning,
you may have inherited the hair loss gene. FPB begins around the time of the
menopause and causes a very slow decline in density at the top of the scalp.
Some women find Minoxidil reduces the speed of hair thinning but the results
vary significantly. Laser Phototherapy can be very effective for FPB and with no
side effects. It works by stimulating hair growth, increasing oxygen and nutrients
to the hair follicle as well as helping to produce better quality strands of hair. It is
not a cure for hair loss, like most treatments, you have to keep using to maintain
the result. There are a number of home laser hair growth devices available with
the power of a clinical machine but at a fraction of the cost. The fact that the
treatment can be carried out at home means it is easier to maintain consistency.

yourwellness.com

In my clinic, my preferred device is the
Theradome LH80 PRO.
Sally-Ann Tarver MIT.FTTS, Consultant
Trichologist, The Cotswold Trichology
Centre www.cots-tri.co.uk.
Dr Carlos Xavier says: In my
experience, the best method to tackle
this is a regular course of cosmetic
treatments that maximise stimulation
of hair follicles and influence tissue
regeneration. A treatment I often
suggest to my clients is the Platelet
Rich Plasma Therapy which involves
injecting an important combination
of components from the patient’s
own blood into their scalp that will
encourage hair growth, a method
known to have a stimulating effect on
the growth factors within our cells.
This is also an incredibly natural
treatment as the substance placed in
the scalp is simply platelets from their
blood; therefore no harsh chemicals
are involved. This is a completely
non-surgical procedure so there is
minimal down time and a PRP therapy
course can be specifically tailored
to a patient’s needs. We then supply
topical creams following the treatment
containing effective hormones and
antioxidants to further stimulate the
hair follicles. A combination of a course
of cosmetic treatment together with
the creams could be the solution for
you as medication and supplements
alone have unfortunately not solved
this issue. For more information on the
treatment you could visit our website:
naturaantiageingclinic.co.uk.
Dr Carlos Xavier is a member of the
British Association of Cosmetic Doctors
and practices at the Natura Anti-Ageing
Clinic, Manchester.
Dr Tim Robinson says: Hair thinning
is an extremely common problem.
Occasionally anaemia or underactive
thyroid gland can be the cause – blood
tests by your GP will check for these
conditions. However hair thinning is
Do you need expert advice? Send your problem, in confidence, to: ask@yourwellness.com. Problems can only be
answered on the page, we are unable to answer personally. You can also visit the forums at www.yourwellness.com and
ask advice from other readers online.
mostly for no known cause. Minoxidil
stimulates hair growth but patients
tell me that it is extremely expensive
and the new hair falls out upon
stopping the treatment. The mainstays
in reducing hair loss are dietary and
lifestyle measures. A mixed balanced
diet that provides the full spectrum of
minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants is
essential. Optimal intake of protein is
important to provide the amino acid
building blocks – think eggs, chicken,
dairy produce as well as nuts and
seeds. Sufficient intake of essential
fatty acids, particularly omega 3 is
important – eat more oily fish such
as salmon and mackerel. Lifestyle is
equally important for optimal hair
health - stress reduction, sensible
work-life balance, regular aerobic
exercise will minimise hair thinning
and maximise hair growth. If despite all
these measures the hair loss continues
you will obviously find this upsetting.
Perhaps confidence building through
counselling or even CBT has a place to
make you feel more comfortable in the
social setting.
Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MRCGP
DRCOG MFHom is an NHS and
private GP who practices homeopathy,
nutritional medicine and acupuncture in
Dorset. www.doctorTWRobinson.com
Dr Emma Mardlin says: I know
personally how distressing hair loss
can be, however there’s lots you can
positively focus on. Firstly, any stress
generally or about hair loss itself will
only exacerbate it, so as much as you
can reduce this, the better; stress
weakens the immune system and
reduces the body’s ability to absorb
any nutrients that would ordinarily
help. Conversely, a healthy vibrant
immune system will help matters
practically and psychologically; the
more stress, the worse anything will
seem. It’s challenging to say without
knowing all your background and
details, but strong, clear and specific
clinical visualisation could help here.
55
Nevertheless, in the interim – have
a go at exploring and embracing the
world of wigs and hair pieces. There’s
no need to lose your confidence, you
can find some great wigs, try different
styles and colours, say you’re going
for a new look! And to be honest –
it’s easier than bothering with daily
hair styling – be bold, and use it as
a fashion statement, a new you if
you like. With the popularity of hair
extensions today, full wigs are nothing
abnormal – dare I say it, they’re
actually fashionable. Start by searching
on-line for hair pieces, part and full
wigs – you’ll find all-sorts for all
budgets, even have a hair dresser style
it for you in your preferred way. Then
enjoy great hair and looking fab ;-)
Dr Emma Mardlin PhD (CMH),
MABH, BSc, DPsyc is a Clinical and
Medical Therapist in Mind and Body
Health at The Pinnacle Practice, www.
pinnacleminds.co.uk Her website is www.
dr-em.co.uk.
Dr Sarah Brewer says: I’ve
written a full article on nutritional
approaches to thinning hair, and how
caffeine shampoos can help, which
you can search for on my blog at
drsarahbrewer.com. Caffeine placed
directly on the scalp stimulates hair
growth – unfortunately drinking it
doesn’t have the same effect. A diet
rich in plant-based hormones known as
isoflavones can also help. Cutting back
on salt intake can reduce hair loss by
as much as 60% and is beneficial for
blood pressure and general health too.
The experts in disguising thinning hair
are Lucinda Ellery’s team at http://
www.lucindaellery-hairloss.com/ - their
work in fitting realistic hair pieces –
including natural-looking partings – is
incredible.
Dr Sarah Brewer is a medical
nutritionist. Read her Nutritional
Medicine blog at www.DrSarahBrewer.
com and follow her nutritional tweets @
DrSarahB.
yourwellness.com
56
holistic
wellness

Reflexology Could Be As
Effective As Painkillers
Researchers have found that people who underwent reflexology
for pain relief felt about 40% less pain, and were able to stand pain
for 45% longer when the therapy was used. Participants attended
two sessions, in which they were asked to submerge their hand in
ice water. In one session they were given reflexology, and in the
other, they believed they were receiving pain relief from a Tens
machine - which was not actually switched on. Those participants
who received reflexology prior to the session were able to keep their
hand in the ice water for longer before they felt pain, and were also
able to tolerate the pain for longer. Dr Carol Samuel, a reflexologist,
from the University of Portsmouth, who carried out the experimental procedures as part of her PhD studies,
said the results suggested reflexology could be used to in conjunction with drugs to treat conditions such as
osteoarthritis and back pain. She believes reflexology may work in a similar manner to acupuncture by causing
the brain to release chemicals that lessen pain signals.

Yoga Versus What Are The

Pilates
The origins of yoga go back thousands of
years, while Pilates was only developed
in the 1920s. Both incorporate breathing
exercises and are practiced with the idea of
improving the body’s core. However, yoga
derives from spiritual concepts and connects
the achievement of inner peace to physical
healing. Pilates classes are more structured
than yoga classes and the routines need to
be performed regularly to achieve results.
There is also equipment or props used in
classes, whereas yoga classes have various
routines and include meditation. So which
is better? If you’re looking to strengthen
and align your body,
specifically your back,
then Pilates could be
ideal. But if you want
to improve body
flexibility, as well
as bring your
mind, body and
spirit into balance,
yoga might be better.
That said, you could
do both!
Health Benefits Of
Cinnamon?
Cinnamon is an aromatic spice made from the
bark of a tree originally found in south-east
Asia. Throughout recorded history, it has been
used in a wide range of natural cures in various
systems of folk medicine. In European, Indian and
Chinese folk traditions, cinnamon is viewed as a
warming spice used to treat colds and ‘flu. It is
also believed to stimulate the circulatory system,
and is used as a treatment for arthritis and
inflammation. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses
cinnamon in preparations intended to strengthen
the kidneys. In modern times some still advocate
the use of cinnamon as a cure for various ailments
– for example in Germany cinnamon is approved
for relieving indigestion and improving appetite.
Recent research suggests
it can also improve
glucose
control
in people
with type
2 diabetes.

- Deepak Chopra

In the midst of movement

and chaos, keep stillness
inside of you.
yourwellness.com
 t i m e to

a n c e I t ’ s ag a i n b inatio
no f

d
c o m
n t a i ning a epper.
co P
r m u lation nd Black
fo a
e l y p otent itamin C
u V
a r e a uniq Extract,
es p
x c a psul t, Rosehi
a ac
Turm ric Extr
e
Turm

High strength Turmeric with 95% Curcumin

Rosehip 20:1 Extract works in unison with the other

ingredients
TurmaX
ORDER ONLINE OR CALL US TODAY!
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for
Tel: 0208 619 0021 | Email: csuk@yourlifestyle.com
the normal function of cartilage, bones and blood vessels*
www.yourlifestyle.com
*Claims approved by the European Food Safety Authority
YL.234.000
58 wellness
review
- Karolina Kurkova
Hiking in undiscovered
places is a lot of fun.
Walk Off The
Weight
If the thought of exercise is daunting, but
you’re keen to get fitter and lose weight,
walking is the perfect solution. Simply
follow the instructions and the eating
plan provided by personal trainer, Lucy
Wyndham-Read, and walk to a fitter and
healthier you in just three weeks.
£12.95 from bookshops.
Yourwellness verdict: The book
includes Lucy’s Healthy Anti-Aging
Plan full of delicious meals and
snacks that are easy to prepare and
help boost collagen in the skin to
promote youth and radiance.
yourwellness.com
Walk, Wrap and Talk
The new Wraps ‘Talk’ headphone converts
into a stylish wrist band/bracelet to
avoid the frustration of tangled,
damaged or lost earphones.
Featuring a universal one
button microphone, you can
answer a call, play or pause
your music and skip tracks
all without having to dig into
your bag or pockets for your
device. Compatible with all
smartphones and tablets. Choose
from braided cloth, leather or a cable
with wooden beads.
Prices start at £19.99 from
www.mywraps.com.
Yourwellness verdict: Listening to music is one of the best
ways to destress. When worn on the wrist, the unique slider
system keeps the lightweight alloy heads, slider and jack plug
connected together for a secure compact fit.
The Perfect Answer For
Dropped Phones
If you’ve ever dropped your phone and shattered the screen, this
one is for you. D3O smart material is integrated into all GEAR4
Black phone cases, to create a soft, flexible case with high shock
absorbing properties. The D3O SpaceSuit adds protection without
excess bulk. £29.99 from Carphone Warehouse stores nationwide.
See the full range for iPhone and Samsung handsets at www.gear4.com
Yourwellness verdict: Used by Olympic ski teams and the
military for collision protection, D3O molecules lock together
on shock to absorb and disperse energy, then instantly return
to their flexible state. The greater the force of impact, the
greater the protection.
 59

… Take a Day Pack

With You
When you’re out and about, a good daypack is essential.
Snugpak’s roomy Sleeka Force daypack is lightweight,
compact and with 35L room, can fit everything you need
for the day. Cleverly designed with two toggled side
compartments so the things you
need regular access to will
always be close to hand.
£64.95 in Coyote tan, black
or olive. Find your nearest
stockist at www.snugpak.com
Sleep Tight With
SoeMac Oxygen
Therapy
SoeMac is a non-invasive, oxygen energy treatment
that can help a wide range of problems including
poor sleep, low energy and breathing disorders
such as asthma or COPD. The device draws in
air and produces a bio-usable form of energised
oxygen or Single Oxygen Energy (SOE).
£419 from www.soemac.com.

Yourwellness
verdict: The
last thing you
need on a day
out is painful
shoulder straps
– those on the
Sleeka Force
are padded and
adjustable for
extra comfort,
with a waist
strap for secure
fitting.
Yourwellness verdict: Place the device by
your bed and it silently improves oxygen flow
in your bedroom to help you breathe and
sleep more easily.

Breathe Cleaner Air

If you suffer from allergies, such as asthma or hay fever,
the Fellowes AeraMax range of air purifiers can remove
99.97% of airborne impurities (as small as 0.3 microns)
to create a fresher home environment. The machines,
which feature a True HEPA filter, come in three sizes.
The AeraMax DX5 Air Purifier is recommended for
rooms up to 8m2 - perfect for a child’s bedroom. For
a larger family room or living space up to 18m2, the
AeraMax DX55 Air Purifier is ideal, while the AeraMax
DX95 is recommended for shared living space up to
28m2. Prices from £149.99 at Amazon.

Yourwellness verdict: Blue, amber and red lights

indicate the purity of the air being filtered, and
during peak allergy conditions you can increase
airflow by 35% to 50% depending on the model.

yourwellness.com
60
modern
wellness

Can Chocolate Link Between

Improve Your Brain? Alcohol And
A study published in the journal, Appetite, has found
that frequent chocolate consumption is significantly
Liver Cancer
associated with better performance on cognitive tests The World Cancer Research Fund
such as visual-spatial memory and organisation, working has found a positive dose-response
memory, scanning and tracking, abstract reasoning, and relationship for alcohol and liver
the mini-mental state examination. It’s thought that cocoa cancer with a statistically significant
flavanols are responsible for the effect. High levels of effect above about 45 grams per day.
flavanols are also found in tea, red The report, described as the most
wine and certain fruits comprehensive review to date of
such as grapes and global research into the relationship
apples – but the latest between diet, weight, physical activity
research is another and liver cancer, said women should
reason to enjoy good aim to limit their alcohol intake to
quality, dark chocolate at its one drink per day
best. It’s made from cocoa beans and men to two
so it counts as a vegetable, right? drinks a day. Other
recommendations
included being
as lean as possible
without becoming
underweight and
carrying out physical
activity for at least
30 minutes every
day. Liver cancer
is one of the most
deadly cancers
with just a 12%
survival rate
after five
New Stroke years. The
charity said
Treatment Launched that nearly
a quarter
A painless, non-invasive, neuro-stimulating device has of cases
been developed to greatly improve recovery after a could be
stroke. Numerous studies show that fingertip stimulation prevented if
(repetitive sensory stimulation) can encourage and people kept
improve cerebral activity in the cortical area of the brain, a healthy
the area most likely to be damaged in stroke. TipStim weight and
works by providing electrical fingertip stimulation in did not
special designed patterns which are scientifically proven drink.
to encourage brain activity. Created using an innovative
conductive and biocompatible textile, TipStim is worn
as a tight-fitting glove connection which accurately
delivers the stimulation to exactly the right section of the
fingertips. The glove is attached to a pulse generator the
- Marilyn vos Savant
size of a mobile phone, for an hour a day. Its convenient
size allows the user to receive the stimulation whilst
carrying out other activities such as reading or watching Being defeated is often
TV or even walking. A study from Germany, involving
46 people found that two weeks of daily 45-minute use a temporary condition.
substantially restored sensory, motor and proprioception
compared to those in the control group receiving Giving up is what
standard stroke therapy only. www.bhr.co.uk.
makes it permanent.
yourwellness.com
62
ancient
wellness
Did Three
Separate Human
Species Co-Exist
In The Past?
The discovery of a 1.8 million year
old skull has stirred debate amongst
paleoanthropologists. Some say the skull
shows that Homo habilis, Homo rudolfensis
and Homo erectus are all part of a single,
evolving lineage that led to modern humans,
but others believe that at least three distinct
species of humans co-existed in Africa.
The new skull shares similarities with the
earliest known Homo fossils found in Africa
and shows evidence for variation within the
early Homo populations, significantly, within
the same species. This could suggest that
the diversity in the fossil record most likely
reflects variation between groups of a single
evolving lineage. However, not everyone
agrees. A previous paper in Nature examining
three fossils, aged between 1.78 and 1.95
million years old, argues that there were
two contemporary species of early Homo,
in addition to Homo erectus, in the early
Pleistocene and that the new skull is most
likely a third species. Would we have got on
with other similar sentient species if they
were still around, or would our ancestors have
quickly wiped them out?
- Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC)
Advice is judged by
results, not by intentions.
yourwellness.com
The unique
nature of
Himalayan salt
Ancient deposits of Himalayan salt are today
sold as a ‘healthy’, edible salt, as bath salts
and as attractive candle holders. This unique
salt is actually produced from a single mine
in Khewra, Pakistan, and it is claimed that
the rock salt extracted from the mine is over
200 million years old. Himalayan
salt differs from others salts in
that it contains at least 10 other
minerals in addition to sodium
chloride, which contribute to
the reddish or pink colour that
the salt often displays. Some
practitioners claim that Himalayan
salt emits positive energy waves
or negative ions when heated,
but others take such
claims with a
pinch of ...
well, you
know.
Camomile –
An Ancient
Medicinal Herb
Camomile is a popular herbal infusion still
used as a tea to promote relaxation and sleep,
but the plants have been prized since ancient
times for a range of beneficial medicinal
properties. Camomile was used as a medicinal
herb by the ancient Egyptians, Romans and
Greeks. In Europe its popularity soared during
the Middle Ages as people discovered how
useful it was in fighting a range of ailments,
including nausea, fever, inflammation,
insomnia and even cancer. Modern day
research has validated some of these ancient
beliefs, as the anti-inflammatory, anti-
bacterial and sedative properties of the plant
have been isolated and identified.
Unique and powerful
combination of Aquamin™,
Vitamin K1, Vitamin C, Zinc,
Manganese and Vitamin D3.

Aquamin™, a multi mineral

ingredient produced from red algae.

Health claims approved by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)

 Manganese, Vitamin D, K and Zinc
contribute to the maintenance of
normal bones.
Nutrition Information:
 Vitamin C contributes to normal
Per 3 Capsules %ECRDA
Aquamin™ F 1493mg -
collagen formation for the normal
providing calcium 460mg 57 function of bones.
Vitamin C 80mg 100 for
able ns Cal
Manganese 2mg 100 Suit
geta
ria us l
Vitamin K1 75µg 100 ve Now
Vitamin D3 (400iu) 10µg 200
Zinc 10mg 100
Tel: 0208 619 0025
Capsule shell: Vegetarian Cellulose Email: csuk@yourlifestyle.com
Website: www.yourlifestyle.com

YL.0059.000
64
scientific
wellness

Romance
And Wine
Excess alcohol and sex don’t usually mix well, but a
new study suggests that, in the long term, a couple
of glasses of red wine might actually reduce the
risk of developing erectile dysfunction. According
to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
Is ECT
scientists investigating whether erectile dysfunction
is affected by intakes of flavonoids, (compounds
Making a
found in red wine, as well as blueberries,
strawberries, apples, pears and citrus fruit) found
Come-Back?
some intriguing results. After looking at over Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
50,000 middle-aged men over the course of more was once a popular treatment for
than two decades, the researchers concluded that severe depression but fell out of
men who consumed flavonoid favour as it was originally used with
rich foods – including red anaesthetic or muscle relaxants and
wine - at least once a week was deemed barbaric. Some patients
were 10% less likely to suffer also complained of short-term loss
from erectile difficulties than of personal memories following the
those who consumed less. procedure. However, recent research
Those who ate the highest from Trinity College Dublin, has found
amount of flavonoid-rich that inducing a seizure by applying
fruits, however had an even a small electrical charge to the brain,
greater reduction in the risk under anaesthetic, is the most effective
of ED - at 14%. Perhaps swap treatment for severe, life-threatening
the red wine for red grapes? depression. Altering the position of the
electrodes on a patient’s head can also
reduce memory side-effects. Declan
McLoughlin, Professor of Psychiatry,
says he hopes the research will help
- Albert Einstein to improve the acceptability and
availability of this ‘often misunderstood
treatment’. ECT is believed to work by
You can’t blame gravity for increasing the production of growth
factors in the brain and improving
falling in love. connectivity between nerve cells.

New Cancer Treatment

Increases Remission
A new therapy that retrains the body’s immune system to fight cancer
has excited cancer experts after more than 90% of terminally ill patients
went into remission. In the trial, patient’s t-cells, which target infections,
were removed and genetically modified with a new targeting mechanism
(chimeric antigen receptors) aimed against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
The cells were then injected back into the patients. According to Prof Stanley
Riddell, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer research Centre in Seattle, all other
treatments had failed in these patients and they had been given just two-to-five
months to live. ‘They were really at the end of the line in terms of treatment options
and yet a single dose of this therapy put more than ninety percent of these patients in
complete remission where we can’t detect any of these leukaemia cells.’ If these patients
remain well, this is one of the biggest leaps ever seen in the fight against cancer.

yourwellness.com
EAT
you Love
the Food

Clinically proven medical product

Available without prescription

t s P LU S
r t h £ 1 00!)
k o f 6 0 table Suppor t (wo
per pacEE Nutritional

9 . 9 9 Get FR

Only £3
Control body weight and
reduce excess weight

FREE Natural plant-based ingredient

NUTRITIONAL
SUPPORT
proven to Bind dietary fat

 Up to 1 hour 1-to-1 consultation with qualified Nutritionist.

 Convenient phone or skype consultations. Reduces calorie absorption
 Review of the likely causes contributing to your weight gain or stubborn weight loss by eliminating fat
 Expert tailored advice on how to achieve your weight loss goals
 Personalised suggestions on improved food choices, eating habits, quality of sleep,
Creates a feeling of
exercise and stress management.
fullness in the stomach
 Detailed written report / action plan following your consultation

Proven for effectiveness in accordance with the C

ALLY ER
TIFIE
D
C
INI

MDD
European Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC).
CL

93/42/EEC

1254

ORDER ONLINE OR CALL US TODAY!

US Tel: 0208 619 0021 | Email: csuk@yourlifestyle.com
PL
www.yourlifestyle.com
 9.36
th £
wor
year
for 1