Hayfever without
antihistamine
As
the hayfever season approaches, a new range of supplements made by Bioforce might be worth
a try. The magic ingredient is Luffa, a preparation derived from a cocktail of herbs. A recent study showed this was as effective as orthodox
nasal sprays containing cromolyn sodium.
Bioforce Luffa products come in the
form of a nasal spray, a tincture and tablets, with guarantee of no pesticides, fungicides
or chemical fertilizers. Available from health food
stores and chemists, priced from £6.59.
Since different approaches suit
different people, acupuncture might be the hayfever solution. In one study involving over 170 hayfever sufferers,
symptoms diminished significantly compared to placebo, or fake treatment. Conventional
acupuncture appeared to work after 9 sessions over 3 weeks, and laser acupuncture was used
for 15 sessions.
The UK Pollination Calendar (ask for this at your
pharmacist or allergy clinic) is an alternative to skin testing to help identify
allergens. After which, you might want to consider
homeopathy. A review of 7 separate trials found
that the homeopathic remedy Galphimia Glauca was
effective in 79% of a total of 752 hayfever cases, improving eye and nose irritations as
effectively as orthodox treatments.
A spoonful of
peanut butter
Not
a question of making the medicine go down, but a way to prevent adult-onset diabetes. A 16-year study of nearly 84,000 women by Harvard
University found that one tablespoon of peanut butter or a handful of nuts at least five
times a week was associated with lowered risk of diabetes to the tune of 20 per cent.
Nuts contain fibre and magnesium which
help control balance of insulin and glucose and they also help maintain good cholesterol
levels. You can take your nuts on toast or in
breakfast cereal and feel virtuous for the rest of the day.
Summer foot hazards
Shoes
this summer look set to be chiropodists’
heaven and wearers’ hell. Which, you may
ponder, are worse?
High heel wedges, high strappy heels, espadrilles, low heel mules, ultra flat
sandals? In terms of wearability, from bad to best
are high strappy heels (wearability 3/10), high heel espadrilles (4/10), ultra flat
sandals and high wedges (both 5/10) and low-heel mules (8/10).
Ratings come from Carnation Footcare’s chiropodist, who says that
extreme flatness puts a strain on back of legs and ankles, while low mules mean good foot
balance, though the lack of back can make toes curl
in order to keep the shoes on. High wedges are
inflexible, high strappy heels are often to narrow over the toes, too constricting on the
ankle if the strap is thin, and they throw the weight onto the front of the foot,
resulting in corns and callouses.
Naturally, having done all that
research, Carnation has the remedies, from corn caps, which they say will remove a corn in
10 days, to ‘hydrocolloid’ blister dressings, not forgetting bunion and verucca
treatments. All available at pharmacies.
 Maximise
your memory
This work provides detailed instructions, illustrations and sample
exercises that show the reader how to build a system of personalized frameworks for
storing and recalling information on demand.
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Less irritable
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects
between 10 and 20 per cent of the world’s population, and one of the most popular
home remedies is peppermint oil, best when encased in an enteric coating. Peppermint oil is a known anti-spasmodic, but it can
cause acid reflex and heartburn without the coating.
A combination of coated peppermint and
caraway oil may be even better at reducing symptoms if taken as a daily preventative, says
a report in US magazine Life Extension.
Another remedy that can rebalance the gut’s natural bacteria is
acidophulous. The trouble with this one is
that it has to be stored in the fridge, which is not convenient for travel. Now acidophulous is available in vacuum packed capsules which
don’t need cold storage. Ask at health food
stores for these products.
Food/Health
connections
A
few contacts to add to your address book:
Allergy UK. A
charity offering advice and support to people suffering from an allergy. Leaflets, factsheets, magazine available. Helpline: 020 8303 8583.
Annual membership £15 (£30 outside UK).
Goodness Direct. On-line
order company for allergies, coeliac condition, lactose intolerance, organic foods. Contact
www.GoodnessDirect.co.uk
or email info@GoodnessDirect.co.uk for
catalogue.
Orgran. Gluten-free
pasta, breakfast cereals, crispbreads, bread and pastry mixes.
www.orgran.com
Nutrition Point. Gluten-free frozen pizzas,
pastas, puddings, also fresh cakes, fruit loaf, crusty rolls, biscuits. Available from Asda and some other stores and
supermarkets. Enquiries to: lesley@nutritionpoint.co.uk.
Air Supply. A
personal air purifier to help protect against hay fever, dust allergy, chemical
sensitivity, bacteria. Worn round the neck or
in a pocket, battery-operated, price £99.95 plus p & p. See
www.healthy-house.co.uk.
Doves Farm. A
new gluten-free bread created by speciality miller Doves Farm Foods. Visit
www.dovesfarm.co.uk.
D & D Chocolates. Dairy
and gluten-free confectionary, including Belgian chocolate.
Website:
www.d-dchocolates.com
Centre for Nutrition Education. Study to become a nutritional therapist with the
Centre for Nutrition Education. Visit
www.ns3.co.uk or email cne@ns3.co.uk
If in any doubt
about any of the information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you,
consult your GP.
In edition 36:-
Female impotence explained
There are more physical causes for female sexual dysfunction than previously
believed.
Natural sex
Alternative natural supplements clinically proven to support sexual vitality
Another alternative to Viagra
For men only
Tried, tested - and unsafe
What
doctors don`t tell you..
Fancy a personal diet trainer?
Just the thing for those yo-yo dieters..
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.
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