People in Britain have the sweetest tooth of any nation in Europe. According to new research from Datamonitor, last year we spent £1.36 billion on sweets (around £23 each) and £239 million on chewing gum. Overall, the UK accounts for 23 per cent of the £6 billion annual European sweets market. Meanwhile the UN and WHO are advising that people should get no more than 10 per cent of their calories from sugar and should eat more fresh fruit and vegetables as well as exercise more.
The old adage goes 'For a long and healthy life, you should breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper'. Now new research from Harvard Medical School is backing this up and suggests that people who eat breakfast every day are a third less likely to become obese than those who skip the meal. They are also half as likely to have blood sugar problems, which increases the risk of diabetes and high cholesterol and is a risk factor for heart attacks.
New figures released by the Department of Health (DoH) suggest that cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins, are saving as many as 6,000 lives a year in this country. Those on HIV treatments who are experiencing high blood sugars, or high cholesterol levels, are particularly advised to ask their doctor for these easy-to-take and effective once-a-day pills.
Many of us take an aspirin before we fly but now research is suggesting that an aspirin a day can also protect against cancers of the mouth, throat and oesophagus. Researchers in Italy say taking an aspirin each day cuts the risk of developing these diseases by two thirds. Other research from the University of Dundee has found that those taking aspirin as well as ibuprofen have a 75 per cent increased chance from cardiovascular disease compared to those just taking aspirin alone. Ibuprofen prevents aspirin from stopping blood clots.
The market for vitamin supplements is a multi-billion pound industry. But do we really need extra vitamin pills? If your diet is balanced, most health experts agree you probably don't. Although people with suppressed immune systems, such as those living with HIV, may need them. However, research is now showing that an excess of vitamins can be more of a danger to health than a help.
Latest
research is suggesting that taking vitamin pills to protect against disease may
not be of any health benefit at all and is actually a waste of money.
A five-year study from the University of Oxford clinical trials unit found that millions of people who take high daily doses of vitamins C, E and beta-carotene are not protecting themselves from cancer, heart problems, strokes and other potentially fatal diseases.
The scientists say that people would be better off eating fresh fruit and vegetables.
Professor Rory Collins, who led the study, also condemned high dose vitamin use: "Vitamin pills are a waste of money. There was no evidence of any protective effect.... They are safe but useless."
Last year 45 per cent of households in Britain took vitamin supplements and over £350 million was spent on vitamins.
Double Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling advocated mega high doses of vitamin C and he swore by their health benefits. But the human body cannot store these and any excess is just excreted. Also, too much vitamin C can lead to increased diarrhoea as well as dehydration.
People with HIV suffering from peripheral neuropathy benefit from extra vitamin B complex and can reduce the possibility of bone fractures by taking extra vitamin D.
But an excess of vitamin A can lead to liver damage and recent research has shown that an excess of Beta-Carotene, particularly in people who smoke, leads to more lung cancer, not less.
A good diet is one of the simplest ways of helping people living with HIV and Aids and may even help delay the progression of the disease.
A new manual published by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that there is a clear link between infection and nutrition and offers practical solutions for the 42 million people living with the virus around the world.
"Food isn't a magic bullet. It won't stop people dying from Aids," said the FAO's William Clay, "but it can help them live longer, more comfortable and more productive lives.
"The nutritional aspect of HIV/Aids has been ignored for a long time," Clay continued. "The attention has always focused on drugs. The message was always 'Take two tablets after meals'. But they forgot about the meals."
Widespread deaths from Aids often occur when a whole range of economic and social circumstances, such as hunger, insecurity, desperate poverty and social exclusion, collide with the presence of HIV in the population.
The new manual advises people with the virus to eat more protein to rebuild muscle, use vitamin rich foods, like fresh fruit, to boost the immune system and drink extra water to avoid dehydration.
The new manual advises people with the virus to eat more protein to rebuild muscle, use vitamin rich foods, like fresh fruit, to boost the immune system and drink extra water to avoid dehydration.
Fast
food with high levels of sugar and fat, such as hamburgers and chips, could be
as addictive as heroin, say researchers from the USA. Dr John Hoebel and his team
at Princeton University found that rats fed on a diet of 25 per cent sugar are
thrown into a state of anxiety, with symptoms such as chattering teeth and shakes
similar to heroin withdrawal, when the sugar was removed. Fast food makes the
brain produce natural opioids and high peaks and low troughs in blood sugar levels
create cravings for more.
The art of aromatherapy was practised first in ancient Egypt. Martin Rissler, aromatherapist for the Complementary Health Trust tells Rose de Freitas why it's a luxury not to be missed
Because
it is such a luxurious form of therapy. It's the wonderful scent, the power of
smell which affects you instantly. You lie down and someone takes care of you
for an hour: the ultimate in pampering! As well as being indulged like this, the
essential oils are actually doing some really good work on a cellular level.
I
believe it's just the best way to unwind and to promote relaxation. Most people
come to me with problems of muscle fatigue, psychological issues, and pent-up
bodies. It may take one or two sessions, but the combination of aromatherapy and
the massage is hugely beneficial. It's obviously the aroma that initially produces
a reaction and then the touch that can either be vigorous or gently stroking,
depending on what's needed. Some people say they feel almost stoned and light-headed
after a session because it releases endorphins.
Certainly.
When someone touches you within a safe environment that's very important for a
person with HIV. Some evidence shows that it does, in fact, increase CD4 cells.
Lots of positive people come to me with all sorts of HIV-related problems. For
example, if you suffer from a condition like peripheral neuropathy, it can help
relieve symptoms in the short term. (But, of course, if it's the HIV drugs that
cause the neuropathy then you should consult your clinic.) Here are some of my
recommendations:
peripheral neuropathy: If your feet are driving you crazy at bedtime, use peppermint oil, not neat, but in a base oil. Add three-four drops of the oil in your usual face cream or in sweet almond oil. Then really rub into the soles of your feet. It's very analgesic but strong, so be careful!
immune
booster: Use tea tree oil. Although tea tree isn't a sweet-smelling oil,
if you blend it with bergamot and citrus oils, like geranium, and put in a drop
of lavender, it's perfectly fragrant. The best way to administer this is in the
bath or during a massage. Believe it or not, garlic oil can be used too but isn't
popular for obvious reasons. You could also add a drop of angelica oil, lemon
oil and thyme oil.
insomnia: Lavender oil is the best. Marjoram and neroli (very expensive) are also powerful scents that help to send you to sleep. Roman chamomile oil is a good relaxant and especially recommended for children. Use the oils in a bath or massage them into your body. A couple of drops of lavender on your pillow can help too.
depression: Citrus oils are all uplifting. Use geranium, grapefruit, and clary sage. Try a few drops in a hot bath or get yourself a massage. Use three or four oils in combination for best effect.
headaches:
Peppermint is the best for headaches. Try using one drop rubbed into each temple.
In fact, this is the only time I would recommend using it neat. Chamomile and
rosemary inhaled may actually be a quicker way to clear the ache. Headaches also
ease off if you have a bath. With a head massage, dilute rosemary, peppermint
and some chamomile.
and
as an aphrodisiac: Sandalwood, jasmine, ylang ylang and rose oil all stimulate
sex drive in both women and men. But the most sexy oil is patchouli - although
some people don't like the strong aroma. Find the scent that turns you on the
most and burn on a diffuser stone, or share a scented bath! I'm sure two people
massaging each other with a blend of these oils would certainly get carried away.
General tips:
Martin Rissler provides aromatherapy massage sessions for London's
Complementary Health Trust (formerly the Immune Development Trust). Sessions are
offered to registered users at low-cost donations to people with HIV & immune-related
conditions. Tel: 020 7704 1777 or visit: www.comphealth.org.uk |
