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Posts tagged “Vitamins”

Looking back over the nearly 150 blog posts we’ve written in the last three years, sugar has featured several times as the topic of the week. It’s also been mentioned numerous times as playing a part in many of the health issues we’ve discussed. In fact cutting down sugar, along with drinking more water (!), are two of the pieces of advice we most often give clients. 
 
One thing we find particularly interesting is how few people seem to realise that sugar is a relatively recent addition to our diets. It all started with sugar cane – a grass that only grows in tropical climates – and continued with sugar beet – a root crop found in more temperate climates. Today, over half of the world’s sugar comes from sugar beet. 
 
However, it isn’t the white – highly processed – sugar we’re familiar with that we wanted to focus on today but its predecessor. And the natural alternative to sugar. Honey. 
As promised last week, this week we’re going to give you 50 ways to improve your energy levels and raise your spirits. These are among the many ideas we give clients and have stood the test of time. Some are quick and simple, others take a little longer, but all have benefits well beyond the issues we’re focusing on today. 
 
Our advice, as always, is to choose one to start with and practice it until it becomes an automatic part of your life. Then add another. And another. That’s how change happens, one small step at a time.  
 
So, without further ado, here we go: 
Over recent years the number of people diagnosed with Depression has rocketed, as have those taking antidepressant medication over the long term, particularly children. Earlier this year the World Health Organisation went so far as to label Depression as the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. It estimated that Depression now affects 322 million people worldwide, an increase of more than 18% over the decade to 2015. 
 
To us these were truly shocking figures. And a sign that something is seriously wrong. Not only with the conventional approach to treating Depression – which is failing to help those affected – but in the way we live our lives. 
 
So what on earth is going on? And, more importantly, what can be done to address it? 
With the clocks having changed a few of weeks ago – and the annual fortnight in the sun approaching fast – it’s not surprising that many new year’s resolutions are currently being resurrected. Particularly those focussing around looking good. And, as an added bonus, feeling good too (!). 
 
One thing we’re guaranteed to be asked about at this time of year is the dreaded orange peel skin. With so many myths and misunderstandings about it, it’s not surprising that many people succumb to some rather strange – not to mention messy and time consuming (!) – methods that promise to deal with it. Sadly these don’t tend to live up to the hype – and, when you understand what Cellulite is, it’s easy to see why. 
With the chocolate fuelled madness that marks the first bank holiday weekend of the year rapidly approaching (!), we thought this blog post would get your attention. However, as so often is the case, it isn’t quite that simple. 
 
True, cocoa beans do have a myriad of health benefits, as confirmed by many different studies. More on this later. Hurrah!  
 
Unfortunately the majority of these are lost during the manufacturing process to produce the chocolate bars we’re so familiar with. Sorry! 
A couple of weeks ago we looked at Vitamin C and promised to write about free radicals. The part they play in many chronic degenerative diseases and how the antioxidants found in Vitamin C (as well as in many other nutrients) can help to stop – and even reverse – this process. 
 
While you may not know exactly what free radicals are, you’ve probably heard about them before. Often in connection with the latest “miracle” skin cream which promises to restore youthful looks in a flash. However they are much more than this. 
It’s interesting the associations we all seem to have. The winter with Coughs and Colds (!), Vitamin C and a glass of orange juice. But would you associate Vitamin C with a reduced risk of heart disease, ageing or cancer? Probably not. 
 
Of all the vitamins, Vitamin C is the one most people have heard of. And yet seem to know so little about. So, this week, let’s dig a little deeper and find out why it’s important for good health. Not just Coughs and Colds. 
Earlier this month we talked about the delights of foraging and encouraged you to make the most of the glorious autumn weather to go out in search of blackberries and elderberries. Not only is it great fun but incredibly satisfying too! 
 
So let’s now talk about two other autumn goodies which are in plentiful supply this year. The first is one you’ve probably noticed – they really glow in the sunlight at this time of year – but never thought about using, Rose hips. Surprised? Many people are, thinking of them only for decoration. 
The schools are back and, as so often is the case, we’re now being treated to a glorious Indian summer. Although having said that here in Suffolk we’ve had a great summer – almost too hot at times for the true Brit!!! 
 
To us, one of the pleasures of autumn is going foraging for all the edible goodies that can be found in the hedgerows at this time of year. Not only are they organic, but come with zero food miles and exercise built in. 
Cholesterol – and statins – are subjects we discuss regularly with clients and have written about before in this blog. “Cholesterol – are statins a wolf in sheep’s clothing?” posted in September 2014 can be found in the blog archives to the right of this post. 
 
Despite the huge amount of coverage this topic has had in the mainstream press, fundamental misunderstandings remain about both cholesterol and the effectiveness of statins. So, once again, let’s have another look at this subject and shatter some of the most common myths. 
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