Exercise for those who think they
can’t
People in wheelchairs,
those who suffer from severe arthritis, MS, heart disease - anyone with limited mobility -
may be led to believe that exercise is not for them.
But Susie Cornell is out to prove them
wrong. Susie was a fashion model, and
then a radio presenter and DJ when in 1974, at the age of 23 she was diagnosed as having
MS.
It didn’t take her long to discover the benefits of
staying mobile through exercise. She developed a series of movements suitable for people
with MS, and set up a health and therapy centre near her home in Chelmsford, Essex. Since then she has produced an invaluable and
acclaimed book, The Complete MS Body Manual, which includes exercise, massage,
reflexology, diet advice, and a video.
It’s the video
that brings on the people in wheelchairs and those suffering from various conditions that
limit their mobility. They demonstrate a
simple series of exercises that anyone can do at home.
The exercise routines are graded for different abilities too.
They are so sensible, safe and easy-to-follow that anyone,
with or without a physical disability and starting exercise for the first time would find
them useful before they embarked on something more ambitious. Susie, along with her pal Anthea Turner,
also discuss nutrition and healthy eating on the video.
If you want to get
a copy of the video, and the book, contact Under Pressure, PO Box 1270, Chelmsford CM2
6BQ.
PS When Ian Cornell,
Susie’s husband, contacted laterlife to tell us about the book and video, he had no
idea that Susie and I had met. Here’s
the picture to prove it. Susie’s the
blonde in the wheelchair, I’m third from the left.
And yes, that is Prince Charles. The
occasion was an event held by the Guild of Health Writers at which HRH presented awards
for examples of best combined orthodox and alternative health projects. I had introduced Susie who was explaining about her therapy centre when
the pic was taken.
Herbs to help you sleep
We’ve had several
enquiries about herbal remedies against insomnia following the series on sleep in
laterlife editions a few months back. So
here’s an update, starting with Valerian, which is the best-known herbal remedy for
sleeplessness.
Valerian is
thought to work best with people who experience periods of night awakening, physical
stress or even pain at night. Results of one
trial showed 44% reporting perfect sleep and 89% reporting improved sleep, both results
being far higher than when using a placebo, a dummy pill.
Kava Kava works
on a different part of the brain and is appropriate for insomnia caused by worry, racing
thoughts, restlessness - probably the most common reasons for not sleeping.
Passiflora is
said to be ideal for mental worry and overworking. Another
claim is that it induces mild euphoria and a contemplative state.
None of these have any known side-effects or are
addictive, though it is always sensible to stick to the recommended dose. They are worth a try as an alternative to powerful
and potentially addictive conventional sleeping pills.
Healing
scars
Doctors at the
dermatology clinic of the University Hospital of Seville have been using an oil derived
from wild rose to treat post-operative scarring and also acne scars.
Over a period of
six months, patients were given a combination of therapies including the oil Rosa Mosqueta
with excellent improvement in over 90% of cases, after surgery and laser treatment.
Reason for its effectiveness is thought to be the high
content of essential fatty acids that promote
healthy skin regeneration. These EFA also
occur in evening primrose oil and in vitamin E but in smaller amounts. In addition, Rosa Mosqueta is a source of retinal,
which can help improve skin texture.
Acne scars have
shown a similar impressive response in another trial from Seville University, but the
published report states that the rose oil should only be used when the skin has a certain
level of dryness, best under medical supervision.
Rosa Mosqueta costs £9.99 for 15 ml and can be obtained
from the Rio Trading Company (Health) Ltd, email: lewis@riohealth.co.uk
If you look up the website:
www.riohealth.co.uk you will able to see further
details of the research which you could discuss with your doctor.
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Before readers
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 Age-proof your body
Accurate,
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 Is it
me or is it hot in here? should be compulsory reading. Not just for women
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Get Bone
Friendly
Those three little
words are at the centre of the National Osteoporosis Campaign which wants everyone to know
how to keep bones strong and healthy.
Just to remind you: 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men will
develop osteoporosis, the bone-thinning disease.
Every 3 minutes someone has a fracture as a result of
this condition. Hip fractures account for
more than 20% of orthopaedic bed occupancy in the UK.
Half of all survivors after hip fracture cannot cope with independent living
afterwards.
Those at most risk include anyone on high dose of
corticosteriod tablets for more than six months, women past the menopause or who have had
an early menopause.
Main protection
against osteoporosis is a calcium-rich diet, exercise such as running, skipping, jumping
or brisk walking, or rowing or weight-training if you are so inclined. No smoking and no heavy drinking are also basic
requirements.
If you want to know the condition of your bones, visit the
National Osteoporosis Society website at:
www.nos.org.uk or telephone 01761 471771.
The vitamin C saga (contd.)
The recent claims that
high-dose vitamin C can cause cancer are bringing out responses from the natural products
lobby. Solgar, makers of a wide range of quality vitamin and herbal supplements,
quote Ian Blair of the University of Pennsylvania, who did the research. Blair, worried about the way that his results were
being misreported, is quoted as having said ‘Absolutely for God’s sake
don’t say vitamin C causes cancer’.
His work was based
on a theory about DNA damage. It was carried
out in test tubes, not on humans, not even on human cells.
Other major research has shown that within the body, vitamin C actually inhibits
the kind of damage Blair described.
Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute of Optimum
Research, quotes research that backs an intake of over 400 mg daily to give protection
against illness and degenerative diseases, based on a study of 1038 doctors and their
wives.
Another company, Lifeplan, claims that
vitamin C is safe in doses up to 2 grams daily, based on reviews from ‘eminent
scientists’, while there’s evidence from a variety of studies that 1- 3 grams
protect against cancer and heart disease.
Laterlife, believing in moderation in most things, suggest
that no one should give up taking vitamin C supplements, though very high doses, if you do
choose to take them, should be balanced with a variety of other vitamins. And remember there’s nothing better than a
high intake of fresh fruit and vegetables daily.
Treatment for impotence
You may not have heard
of Uprima, a new drug to treat impotence. Viagra
it’s definitely not. This is a tablet,
dissolved under the tongue, that does not increase sexual desire. Instead it works by acting on an area of the
brain involved in the process of erection.
It needs between 10
- 20 minutes to take effect, and sexual stimulation is required. Trials with over 5000 men show some mild side
effects such as nausea, headache and dizziness, and it’s not suitable for anyone with
heart disease.
If you want to know more about Uprima before discussing it with your
doctor, contact the Sexual Dysfunction Assoc. helpline, telephone 020 8767 7791. Their website is
www.sda.uk.net/
Never too late
Two very
recent news items that we just had to record for laterlife…
89 year old Helen Tew sailed on an 8,000 mile trip
around the Atlantic accompanied by her son Donald aged 60 in a 26 foot long boat. She admits to being less mobile than she used to
be on land but ‘In a boat I lose 20 or 30 years straight away’.
Norman Carter, grey-haired, bearded and wiry,
competed in the World Veterans Championship in Brisbane by jumping the pole vault. In the over-70s category of course.
If in any doubt about any of the
information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.
In edition
16:-
Vitamin
C - Danger or false alarm
Recent newspaper reports about vitamin C have been truly scary
Giving up on HRT
Women over the age of 60 don`t want to take HRT for more than a year.
The benefits of
power napping.
Sleeping too long in the afternoon leaves you feeling groggy and reduces
sleep quality at night.
Sun on older skin
Most of us know the dangers of sunbathing and in any case prefer the shade
with the wisdom of age.
New
thoughts on drinking water
No longer do we have to stick to water or herbal teas or fruit juice to avoid
dehydration.
Folic
acid - the heart connection
It is possible that folic acid supplementation may cut the rate of heart
disease by reducing blood levels of a potentially harmful amino acid called
homocysteine.
Index to all previous
Healthwise editions
For books on Health visit the Amazon
Family and Health Section.
Don't forget if you buy books or videos from Amazon by linking from
laterlife, you generate money for Charity.
Jenergy
Jenni Rivett's guide to fitness, aimed solely at women, is a winner.
 The Complete Book of Men`s Health
This
constructive guide provides information on health-related topics, exercise, diet, and
personal grooming.
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