Avoiding Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) when flying

Those travelling on four hour plus flights are more at risk of deep vien thrombosis  say researchers at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Sitting still in one position for a long time increases the risk of blood clots forming which may break up, travel through the body and cause stokes.

Travellers are advised to get up and move around regularly, restrict alcohol intake and to wear well fitting medical stockings. They are also advised NOT to take sleeping tablets which may cause you to sleep in an akward postion for a long period thus educing blood circulation.

Dr Beverly Hunt of Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity says, " In the unlikely event that in the weeks following your flight you develop symptoms such as pain and swelling in either of your legs, or unexpected shortness of breath or chest pain, seek medical advice immediately."

Sunblocks and Vitamin D Deficiency

We're now being warned that high UV sun blocks may be causing a Vitamin D deficiency, The EU recommend 5 micrograms of Vitamin D daily.

Sources of Vitamin D other than sunlight include:
 cod liver oil
sardines
salmon
egg yolks
tinned tuna
mackerel

Eggs and Cholestrol

A recent study at Surrey University involoving volunteers eating two eggs a day for 12 weeks found that none of the participants had raised cholestrol levels.

Eggs actually contain less cholestrol now than they did 10 years ago due to a change in the chickens diet. Chickens are no longer fed on bone meal but on a mix of cereal grains and high protein making egg far more nutritious and lower in cholestrol.

A typical medium sized egg aill contain about 100mg of cholestrol, a third of the US recommended daily limit of 300mg.

Strawberries health benefits

Just 10 strawberries will provide you with the recommended daily amount of Vitamin C.

10 strawberries contain only 27 calories & 0g fat.

Strawberries are a source of folic acid.

Strawberries are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Michael Van Straten 's Top 10 Super Foods for Health

Michael Van Straten says that he gets annoyed by endless stories about exotic and very expensive Superfoods that are flown in from far flung corners of the world due to the fact that the the only thing super about them is the profit they make for the commercial operations behind their promotion.

So here is Michael Van Startens' simple list of top 10 super foods:

1. Avocado Pears

2. Beer
3. Barley
4. Cherries

5. Eggs
6. Peanuts
7. Prunes
8. Sardines
9. Watercress

10. Yoghurt
Michael van Straten is an osteopath, naturopath, acupuncturist and nutritional consultant. He’s also one of the UK’s most respected medical authors, broadcasters and journalists and has written more than 40 books, which have sold over a million copies worldwide visit his website for more information on super foods and many other health related subjects- Michael van Straten

The top 10 super foods

All foods, even battered Mars bars, have some nutritional value. But there are 10 that are so beneficial to your health they are known as 'super foods'. Check them out here:
1. Apples
Over 7,500 varieties of apple are grown throughout the world. They are packed full of antioxidants, especially vitamin C for healthy skin and gums - one apple provides a quarter of your daily requirement of vitamin C.
Apples also contain a form of soluble fibre called pectin that can help to lower blood cholesterol levels and keep the digestive system healthy.
An apple is also a carbohydrate with a low glycaemic index (GI) type.
Low GI foods are digested slowly; once they are finally broken down in the intestine they are gradually absorbed into the bloodstreams as glucose, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar levels.
They may help with weight control, as well as improving diabetics' long-term control of blood sugar levels.
2. Baked beans
The humble baked bean is a nutritional powerhouse of protein, fibre, iron and calcium. It contains carbohydrate that, like that in apples, is of the low GI variety.
The tomato sauce covering baked beans is also a good source of lycopene, another powerful antioxidant shown to help prevent heart disease and prostate cancer.
The insoluble fibre in baked beans is not digested but moves into the large intestine, or colon, where bacteria act on it and produce short-chain fatty acids.
These fatty acids are thought to nourish the colon lining and protect it from carcinogenic (cancer-causing) invaders.

3. Broccoli
Just two florets - raw or lightly cooked - count as a veggie portion.
Not only does broccoli contain antioxidants including vitamin C but it's a particularly good source of folate (naturally occuring folic acid).
Increasing your intake of folic acid is thought to be of major benefit in preventing heart disease.
Broccoli also contains an antioxidant called lutein that can delay the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This affects 10 per cent of people over 60 and is a major cause of impaired vision and blindness.
Finally, broccoli also contains a phytochemical called sulphoraphane that has specific anti-cancer properties.
4. Olive oil
Several large studies suggest that the monosaturated fat in olive oil is good for the heart. Olive oil lower bad cholesterol levels and increases the good levels.
Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants - it's probably one of the key protective aspects of the so-called Mediterranean diet.
Watch out for the calories - a little goes a long way. A tablespoon of oil contains 120 kilocalories, which is the same as a large slice of bread and butter.

5. Wholegrain Seeded Bread
Breads containing a lot of seeds and wholegrain have a low GI, which can protect against heart disease, reduce hunger pangs, and help with weight control.
They are also packed with fibre, which keeps the gut working efficiently; and seeded breads contain essential fatty acids.
Studies show that including four flices of soya and linseed bread a day can give a does of phytoestrogens, through to relieve "hot flushes" in menopausal women.
The downside is that bread contains a lot of salt. However, the good news is that bread manufacturers have started to use less salt in their pre-packaged bread.
6. Salmon
All fish is a source of good-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, but oily fish such as salmon also contains omega 3 fats that reduce blood clotting and inflammation.
Studies show that eating oily fish dramatically recues the risk of having a heart attack, even in older adults.
Omega 3 fats also help to prevent depression, and protect against the onset of dementia. Yep, it's true, fish really is an all-round brain food.

7. Tea
The drink loved by all Britons has a range of useful properties. The caffeine content is helpful for stimulating alertness, mood and motivation.
Tea counts towards the recommended eight cups of fluid daily, which is the minimum to avoid dehydration.
Tea, whether black or green, is a rich source of the antioxidant called catechins. Studies suggest that catechins protect the artery walls against the damage that causes heart disease and prevents formation of sticky blood clots.
Some population studies suggest as little as one cuppa a day seems to offer some protection.
8. Yogurt
Yogurt is an easily absorbed source of calcium. It's also a useful milk subsitute for people who can't digest large amounts of the milk sugar, lactose.
Yogurt has long been credited with a range of therapeutic benefits, many of which involve the health of the large intestine and the relief of gastrointestinal upsets.
The bacteria Lactobacillus GG, added to some yoghurt, are not digested, and reach the large intestine intact where they top up the other friendly bacteria living there.
The friendly bacteria fight harmful bacteria, including Clostridium difficile that can cause diarrhoea after a course of antibiotics.

9. Bananas
It's a myth that bananas are fattening. Bananas are slightly higher in energy than other fruits but the calories come mainly from carbohydrate; excellent for refuelling before, during or after exercise.
All types of fruit and vegetables contain plant chemicals or phytochemicals known as antioxidants. These antioxidants protect cells in the body against damage from free radicals that can cause heart disease and cancer.
Bananas are also jam-packed with potassium that helps lower blood pressure, and vitamin B6 for healthy skin and hair.
10. Brazil nuts
All nuts are generally full of essential vitamins, minerals and fibre. Recent studies suggest that eating a small handful of nuts four times a week can help reduce heart disease and satisfy food cravings.
Brazil nuts are one of the few good sources of selenium that may help protect against cancer, depression and Alzheimer's disease.


Source http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-369042/The-10-super-foods.html#ixzz1NRtLLEoF

Simple list of 14 Super Foods

Beans
Soy
Blueberries
Spinach
Broccoli
Tea - green or black
Oats
Tomatoes
Oranges
Turkey
Pumpkin
Walnuts
Wild Salmon
Yoghurt

This list of superfoods is from SuperFoods : Fourteen Foods that Will Change your Life by Steven Pratt and Kathy Matthews.  (ISBN-10: 9780553817041 )

From the Back Cover

Everyone knows that an apple is a healthier snack than a packet of crisps, but did you know that a daily handful of walnuts or a bowl of blueberries can actually improve your well-being and longevity?

When Dr Steven Pratt witnessed the positive results that occurred when his patients with age-related macular degeneration and skin cancer changed their diets to include certain powerhouse foods - he identified them as SuperFoods. Now, backed by proven research on fourteen of the most nutrient-dense foods, this book puts these invaluable tools in your hands and on your plate, to give you more energy, greater protection against disease, and a healthy lifestyle now and for the future. By making these foods part of your regular eating habits, you can actually change the course of your biochemistry and slow down or stop the incremental changes in your body that lead to diseases such as Type II diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, obesity and Alzheimer's.
The fabulous fourteen:
*Beans *Soy *Blueberries *Spinach *Broccoli
*Tea - green or black *Oats *Tomatoes *Oranges
*Turkey *Pumpkin *Walnuts *Wild Salmon *Yoghurt
SuperFoods not only outlines the amazing health benefits of these fourteen foods, it also includes delicious recipes, tips and suggestions that will make the SuperFoods lifestyle simple and irresistible.
Wonderfully flexible - almost all the SuperFoods have sidekicks, or substitutions, that you can enjoy instead - this new nutritional frontier offers you the perfect opportunity to choose and enjoy the foods that are most beneficial to your health, well-being and longevity.

The Power of Tea by Gladstone

"If you are cold,
tea will warm you.
If you are too heated,
it will cool you.
If you are depressed,
it will cheer you.
If you are excited,
it will calm you."
Gladstone

 

Colours to promote joy

Apparently using a combination of  these colours can promote a feeling of joy. What do you think?

Polyphenols in Tea

Polyphenols in tea have been known to:

• Help protect cells from the normal, but damaging, physiological process known as “oxidative stress.” Although oxygen is vital to life, it’s also incorporated into reactive substances called free radicals. These can damage the cells in our body and have been implicated in the slow chain reaction of damage leading to heart disease and cancer.
• Help prevent blood clotting
• Help lower cholesterol levels
• Help neutralize enzymes that aid in the growth of tumors
• Help deactivate cancer promoters
• Help stimulate the immune system

To Laugh Often and Much - Emerson quote

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, wether by a healthy child, a garden patch... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded! - Emerson

Coffee a breast cancer preventer?

Coffee mooted as a breast cancer preventer

Women who drink lots of coffee may cut their risk of developing one type of breast cancer, according to a new study, but experts are urging caution.

The Karolinska Institute findings are based on nearly 6,000 women and suggest drinking more than five cups a day halves a woman's risk.

But cancer experts say the evidence is not proof enough and women should instead focus on leading a healthy lifestyle to cut their cancer odds.

They say the findings need confirming.

The Swedish researchers are now doing more studies to dig deeper into the coffee question.

Their initial findings suggest that coffee cuts the risk of an aggressive form of breast cancer called oestrogen-receptor negative breast cancer.

Aggressive cancer

Around one in four women diagnosed with breast cancer will have oestrogen-receptor negative breast cancer, which is often resilient to drug treatment and requires intensive chemotherapy.

In the study, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Breast Cancer Research, post-menopausal women with and without breast cancer were asked about lifestyle factors and coffee consumption.

The findings revealed the association between higher coffee intake and lower risk of breast cancer.

Research Professor Per Hall said: "We were surprised. But the result was clear. When we looked more closely the more aggressive form of cancer - the oestrogen-receptor negative - was reduced by over half, meaning half as many women who drank lots of coffee were diagnosed with this cancer."

But he said what is not clear is why coffee might be having this effect.

"We just don't know what might be behind this association. There are so many different compounds in coffee that it could be any one of them that could be having an effect."

The other problem is the study rests on the women reliably recalling how much coffee they drink, and there is no record of what type of coffee they consumed - espressos, cappuccinos or decaf?

Until more work is done, Professor Hall says he would not advise women to up their coffee consumption, especially since too much coffee can have side effects.

Yinka Ebo of Cancer Research UK, said: "This study does not provide firm evidence that drinking lots of coffee can help reduce the risk of breast cancer as it relied on people with cancer remembering how much coffee they drank years ago.

Previous research on coffee consumption and breast cancer risk has produced mixed results, and the authors of this new study acknowledge that further work will be needed to confirm the findings."

He said there was good evidence, however, that women who are physically active, consume little or no alcohol and keep a healthy weight after the menopause are at lower risk of breast cancer.

BBC News 11/5/2011

Coffee 'cuts prostate cancer risk' US study suggests

Coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of dying from prostate cancer in a study of nearly 50,000 US men.

Those who drank six or more cups a day were found to be 20% less likely to develop any form of the disease - which is the most common cancer in men.

They were also 60% less likely to develop an aggressive form which can spread to other parts of the body.
But charities say the evidence, reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, is still unclear.
They do not recommend that men take up coffee drinking in the hope of preventing prostate cancer.

Unknown compounds

The study looked at about 48,000 men in the US who work as health professionals.

Every four years between 1986 and 2006, they were asked to report their average daily intake of coffee.
During this 20-year period, 5,035 of the men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, including 642 fatal cases.

No difference was seen between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, suggesting caffeine itself was not the cause.

But even relatively small amounts of coffee - one to three cups per day - were found to lower the risk of lethal prostate cancer by 30%.

The researchers think there may be unknown compounds in coffee that protect against the disease.
Lead researcher Dr Kathryn Wilson, from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said: "At present we lack an understanding of risk factors that can be changed or controlled to lower the risk of lethal prostate cancer.

"If our findings are validated, coffee could represent one modifiable factor that may lower the risk of developing the most harmful form of prostate cancer."

Commenting on the study, Dr Helen Rippon of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said other studies had not shown the link and the research evidence was still unclear.

She added: "Although this study is a welcome addition to our knowledge, it is far from definitive and we would not recommend men who are not already habitual coffee drinkers to become so in the hope of preventing prostate cancer.

Heavy caffeine intake is associated with other health problems and men with benign prostate problems might well make urinary symptoms worse."

Yinka Ebo, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "There's no need for men to start drinking gallons of coffee in an attempt to lower their prostate cancer risk.

"A number of other studies looking at coffee and prostate cancer have found that drinking coffee does not affect the risk of the disease, and this study only found a lower risk of advanced prostate cancer in men who drank more than six cups a day.

"We would need to see these results repeated in other large studies before we can be sure whether coffee consumption affects the risk of prostate cancer."

BBC News 17-5-2011

Eating butter and cheese 'doesn't increase risk of heart attacks'

It's great news for cheese and butter fans - scientists have found that eating dairy food doesn't increase your risk of a heart attack.

Nutritionists surveyed thousands of middle-aged people and found that even those who ate more than half a kilo of cheese did not seem to suffer from increased risk.
Contrary to earlier beliefs that saturated fat might lead to a heart attack, researchers found that nutrients in dairy products actually counteract the harmful effects.
Researcher Stella Aslibekyan, of Brown University, Rhode Island, where the research was carried out, said: 'Things like milk and cheese are very complex substances.
'We looked at heart attack risk and dairy products in their entirety and then looked at separate components of those dairy products, including fats, and it turns out that the results are null. 
'Perhaps the evidence is not there.'
Her team doesn't believe the saturated fats in dairy products are harmless, but suggest other nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and potassium may protect against heart disease for all but those who ate the most of them in their study.
Their findings, taken from 3,630 Costa Rican men, are published in the Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases journal.
They found the dairy intake of people who had heart attacks was no different to the intake of people who did not.
Looking at how much dairy food they ate, there was no link between consumption and heart attack risk, even among those who consumed as much as 593 grams a day.
When the researchers accounted for other factors such as smoking, alcohol and exercise, there was still no difference, statistically.
Dr Ana Baylin said: 'The message is that it is important to look at the net effect of whole foods and dietary patterns and not only isolated nutrients.'

dailymail.co.uk - 5-20-11

Elderflower Tea

Elderflowers make a lovely tasting tea, generally useful to relieve cold symptoms, including catarrh and sinus problems. You can buy ready made elderflower tea from many sources including health food shops and even the supermarket but you can also make your own using either fresh or dried flowers.

To make elderflower tea with fresh flowers take 2 of the flower heads, place in a teapot and add boiling water. Leave to brew for 10 minutes before serving. You can serve with a slice of lemon if you wish.

To make elderflower tea using dried flowers (available from health food shops) you'll only need 2 teaspoons of the flowers to make 2 cups of tea. Put the dried elderflowers  in the teapot and add boiling water, leave to brew for 5 minutes.

Natural Insect Repellant

Mrs Grieves, in The Modern Herbal of 1931, swears by elderflower leaves, bruised or 'in decoction' to drive away flies, midges and mosquitoes. Bruised leaves can be worn in a hat or rubbed on the face. Alternatively, make an infusion of the leaves and dab the mixture on afterwards with a cotton wool pad.

METHOD

Gather some sprigs of fresh leaves from the Elder.

Remove the stems and place the leaves in a jug.

Pour on enough boiling water to cover the leaves.

Cover with a lid immediately.

Leave for a few hours, until the liquid infusion is cold.

Strain, decant into a bottle and keep tightly corked.

Tip: make fresh infusions often, as over time, it tends to lose its efficacy.

Elderflower Champagne

Elderflowers are marvellous as a prophylactic against hayfever. You can take them as tea or cordial two or three times a day. Excellent for those who suffer from a runny nose and eyes.

Mrs Grieves, in The Modern Herbal of 1931,recommends an elderflower infusion as a "good old-fashioned remedy for colds and throat trouble" and whilst Elderflower Champagne isn't exactly what she had in mind it is a lovely drink that is bound to be a bit of a pick you up.

Elderflower Champagne

Pick 6 full Elderflower heads, preferably on a sunny day in the morning, I'm told they smell better then.

In a clean bucket dissolve 1kilo of sugar into 10 litres of cold water.
Give the Elderflowers a shake to remove any dust or insects and immerse in the water.
Add the juice of 2 freshly sqeezed lemons along with the lemon skins.
Add 4 table spoons of white wine vinegar and stir gently.
Cover with a tea towel and leave for 24hours stirring occasionally.
After 24 hours strain the liquor through a sieve or muslin and bottle into sterilised 1 litre plastic pop type bottles. Plastic is best as during the fermentation a lot of fizz is produced which can cause a bottle to explode so don't over fill!
The naturally occuring yeast on the Elderflowers will ferment with the sugar and after a couple of weeks you will have Elderflower Champagne with a very slight alcoholic content. It will be ready to drink but the flavour improves with keeping and it will keep for a year or so in a cool place.

Elderflower Cordial for health

The Elder (Sambucus Niger) is often refered to as “The medicine chest of the country folk” , it is said that it is the oldest herb cultivated by mankind and had been used as a herbal medicine for over 4 thousand years.

Here we give the recipe for Elderflower cordial which can be used to relieve the symptoms of allergies to pollens etc and to reduce the effects of sinusitis. Ideally one would start drinking a glass or two of diluted elderflower cordial a few weeks before the pollens became a problem to help build a resistance, it’s a lovely refreshing drink  so make plenty to store for future use.

You’ll need:
20 heads of elderflower flowers,
1.8kg granulated sugar, or caster sugar ,
1.2 litres water ,
2 unwaxed lemons
75g citric acid (available from chemists)

To make:
1. Shake the elderflowers to remove insects, and then place in a large bowl.
2. Put the sugar in a pan with the water and bring up to the boil, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
3. While the sugar syrup is heating, pare the zest of the lemons in wide strips and add to the bowl of elderflowers. Slice the lemonsand add these to the bowl. Pour over the boiling syrup, and  stir in the citric acid. Cover with a cloth and then leave at room temperature for 24 hours.
4. Next day, strain the cordial through a sieve lined with muslin  and  bottle.

Drink 3 cups of tea a day for a healthy heart, keep blood pressure normal and reduce the risk of strokes

Recent Australian research has found that drinking 3 cups of tea a day can help reduce your risk of heart disease and strokes.

The high level of flavoniods in tea produce nictric oxide gas in the blood which widens blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.

The study has found that 3 cups of tea a day reduce the risk of hear disease by up to 11% and it doesn't matter what sort of tea you drink so you can enjoy your favourite cuppa.

How to make the perfect cup of tea (by Jing)

Like any fresh, high quality food, tea needs to be properly prepared to get the best out of it. When cooking good quality fresh food care needs to be taken - would you boil asparagus for thirty minutes or fry a fillet steak for an hour?
Although tea-making is much more simple than cooking food, it is still worth paying attention to a few important details including water temperature, amount of leaf, steeping time and the size of the teapot you use.
There are a few general rules which one might like to bear in mind:
The larger the amount of leaf, the stronger the infusion
The longer the infusion time the stronger the tea
Different teas require different temperature water: boiling water may scold delicate green and white teas
Small teapots are preferable because the strength of the infusion can easily be controlled. Large teapots both allow the flavour of the tea to dissipate and the leaves to stew.

NASA's Top Ten House Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

If you suspect that you may be living or working in a place with Sick Building Syndrome installing house plants could help.

A study by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) in the 1980's  concluded that common houseplants like spider plants not only make indoor spaces more attractive, they also help to purify the air.

NASA and ALCA spent two years testing 19 different common houseplants for their ability to remove  common pollutants from the air. They primarily tested for the removal of Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Trichloroethylene. Formaldehyde is used in many building materials including particle board and foam insulations. Additionally, many cleaning products contain this chemical. Benzene is a common solvent found in oils and paints. Trichloroethylene is used in paints, adhesives, inks, and varnishes.

NASA found that some of the plants were better than others for absorbing these common pollutants, here is

The NASA Top 10 Houseplants for Improving Indoor Air Quality:

1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium', heartleaf philodendron
2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron
3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana', cornstalk dracaena
4. Hedera helix, English ivy
5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig', Janet Craig dracaena
7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena
8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig
9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos
10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa', peace lily
11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron
12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen
13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm
14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant
15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

The study recommended using at least fifteen samples of a good variety of these common houseplants grown in six inch containers or larger to help improve air quality.

Sick Building Syndrome can cause the following symptoms:

Tiredness & lethargy
Headaches - dull or pressure type
Dry itchy skin
Nausea
Coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing
Ear, nose and throat irritations

(If you have any major health concerns you should consult your Doctor)