How NOT to get sick while travelling!

Who wants to get ill while travelling? Apart from spoiling a wonderful holiday or ruining a valuable business meeting, it can be EXTREMELY expensive and VERY inconvenient.

Personally, I like to tackle my own travel-health from three sides:

1. Prevention
2. First-Aid and
3. Special Reserve

Basic Tips:

• Make sure you have enough of any chronic medication – including birth control pills - to last you through the entire trip, especially when travelling internationally. Medications are not necessarily the same across countries. Note that some countries will require a copy of the doctor’s prescription before allowing you to import your meds. Also be aware of extreme temperatures (aircraft hold as low as -70C, bus luggage hold up to +50C) which may negatively influence your meds.
• Try to keep to your normal time intervals for the medication. Implement any necessary changes (due to time-zones, diet, etc) gradually
• Have your teeth checked in good time to have any emergency work completed before your trip! Medical aids and travel insurance seldom cover more than the most basic pain control measures. On-the-road treatment is EXPENSIVE. 
• If travelling to an area with endemic diseases (malaria, typhoid, cholera, zika virus, yellow fever, etc) take preventive meds or vaccines if you can, and take EVERY possible precaution to avoid being infected while you are exposed. If you are ill within 2 weeks of returning home, make sure to mention your travels to your doctor.

Prevention:

The body’s immune system is and remains our best weapon. Strengthening and supporting the immune system is the foundation of my travel-wellness strategy.

• Load up with extra generous amounts of Vitamin C for a good week before travelling and keep up a generous daily dose for at least a week after completing your trip. Small doses spread throughout the day (or vitamin C powder dissolved in your glass water bottle) will ensure that the maximum amount is absorbed and used.
• Get as much exercise and exposure to sunlight as possible (without burning) before and during your trip. This helps to increase your Vitamin D levels while ensuring a good supply of fresh nutrients to the furthest corners of your body. At the same time, waste products are flushed out and stress levels kept at a minimum.
• Drink lots of good, clean water to help keep all systems GO!
• If you have a sensitive gut, stick to the rules of sensible eating:
• boil it, peel it, cook it, wash it or forget it
• If you are not sure about the water, buy bottled to drink. 
• NEVER drink anything that you did not see opened and keep it with you at all times!

First-Aid:

When the first tummy rumble or throat-scratch occurs, some simple guidelines can still prevent the problem from becoming more serious:

• Humic Acid (such as that found in Humi-Caps) is an absolutely marvellous all-round first-aid. Use 2 caps x 4 times per day for a quick and effective, proven anti-inflammatory and anti-viral agent (scratchy throat, sore knee, post-nasal drip, sinus, flu etc). For an upset stomach, take 8 Humi-Caps immediately and another 4 caps after 4 hours. All natural, no additives, no side-effects and very affordable – it doesn’t get much better than that! (*)
• Burned toast (or well-burned charcoal) absorbs toxins in the gut. 
• Take in sufficient fluids and salts to replenish those lost in the battle.
• Make your own nasal inhalant using ½ cup cooled, boiled water with ¼ t table salt to combat the irritating effects of dust, air-conditioners and airborne allergens or pathogens. Use regularly and generously and make up a fresh solution as often as you can. 

Special Reserve:

When there is already some pain or the first signs of discomfort (such as fever, swelling or redness, dehydration, coughing and so on) there are a few simple meds which might still prevent a full-scale medical emergency. The normal rules of drug storage and use (out of reach of children, don’t use if sensitive/allergic, NEVER exceed the dose, etc) are even more important on the road than at home:

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is known to combat pain and fever. 
• Aspirin: For pain, fever, inflammation. Remember its tendency to thin the blood! NOT for children presenting with symptoms of flu. 
• Chest rub or drops containing menthol for blocked nose or cough. Also useful to cool bites and stings.
• Antiseptic cream for cuts, abrasions, traveller’s ‘nappy-rash’ and more
• 2-3 plasters (blisters, fingers and toes, bites and falls)
• Anti-emetic (car sickness)

If the condition is serious, or does not let up within a day or two, take the punch and see a doctor. 

It is not worth spoiling your trip (and that of everyone else) just to prove how ‘brave’ you are. 

This is definitely one of those times when discretion is the better part of valour.

Let us know your experiences – we would love to hear from you:

• Have you ever been ill on a trip?
• How did you stop yourself from becoming ill?

And above all – HAVE A HEALTHY TRIP!! 

(*)http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/znc.2003.58.issue-3-4/znc-2003-3-421/znc-2003-3-421.xml

http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/content/46/5/853.short

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:IFLA.0000039563.90066.5d

Back to School BLUES?

Millions of children suffer needless reprimands and rejection at school – simply because they do not obtain the right food!

Picture the all-too-familiar scene: Monday morning before school. Everyone gets up in a rush. Where are the socks? And the ironed shirt? Quickly pull a brush through the hair, swallow a few mouthfuls of the latest craze in breakfast cereals and away we go……

“So, what is wrong with that” – you may ask?

Most breakfast cereals consist of little more than refined carbohydrates. They are very quickly converted into glucose and this in turn causes a rapid spike in blood sugar levels.

Now, while all our cells need some glucose for energy, too much glucose in the blood is effectively toxic.

What makes glucose the ideal energy source? The fact that it ‘burns’ easily.

That means, it is chemically extremely reactive. 

It reacts with almost everything it comes into contact with, causing a massive increase in free radicals (oxidants) in the blood. 

The damage caused by free radicals to the cells lining the blood vessel walls, causes inflammation which leads to atherosclerosis.

This is why the body goes to so much trouble to ensure that the blood glucose levels remain strictly within the optimal limits. 

The Sugar See-Saw (Inter-Med Copyright)

•  Too much glucose triggers a flood of insulin which quickly removes as much glucose as possible from the blood. This panic reaction by the body may over-shoot the mark and as our blood sugar sinks too low we become jittery, depressed and grumpy – commonly known as ‘dumping’.
• Now, with too little glucose in the blood, the brain triggers ‘hungry’ signals and off we trot to the fridge or the vending machine (or the school lunch box) for our next sugar ‘high’.

This is the deadly honey-trap of refined carbohydrates which results in diabetes and all the pain, illness and heartache that goes with it.

Get YOUR kids off the sugar See-Saw!

And increase their ability to concentrate, learn and remember. Help them to ENJOY their school experience and make the most of it.

Make sure they enjoy a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, proteins and whole grains. Save the refined carbohydrates for an occasional, special treat rather than the early morning staple. 

Brain Health will also help to ensure that you and your child obtain all the nutrients your brain needs to function at its best!

Unscientific BS-Science

The 'Science' of presenting facts creatively for profit

You may have heard the expression ‘Tobacco-science’ before?

Up to the early 1990’s, tobacco companies were paying scientific research organisations to undertake tests to ‘prove’ that smoking was not harmful. These were reputable organisations such as the South African Standards Authority (SABS), and reputable tests such as determining just how minuscule the amount of tar in each cigarette really was.

Thus real, trustworthy and reliable science conducted by highly respectable scientists.

Until the marketing people got hold of it…..And then smoking became ESSENTIAL for GOOD HEALTH!

Slowly but surely the public has come to realise that there are many instances where similar eye-blinding has taken place. As a result, this kind of BS-Science has come to be known as ‘Tobacco-science’.

Definition

The urban dictionary (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=tobacco%20science) defines tobacco-science as “"Science" done on behalf of an interest (organisation) which is defending it's cash cow from overwhelming credible science that shows it is harmful or detrimental to public benefit in some way.”

An example quoted by the urban dictionary is “Science conducted on behalf of the plastic manufacturing industry showing that BPA is a safe chemical for human consumption, when a wealth of credible independent scientific research shows otherwise”

Examples

Are there other examples of ‘tobacco-science’ around?

Much of the so-called ‘science’ surrounding the safety and efficacy of various medical interventions gives cause for great concern that it is nothing more than tobacco-science. For example:

•           Fluoridation of drinking water: fluoride is an extremely toxic substance and the specific chemical used for this purpose is a hazardous waste product of the fertiliser industry.
•      Dental amalgam: contains mercury and is classified as a hazardous, toxic substance the instant it is removed from your mouth. But putting it in is 100% safe?! REALLY?
•      Vaccines: many of which contain still contain mercury and/or aluminium compounds. Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, manufacturers still claim NO HARMFUL effects!
•      Cholesterol levels which for decades have been falsely blamed for risk of heart and vascular disease and been the mainstay for marketing trillions of dollars’ worth of  statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs   

For more hair-raising information on tobacco-science and it’s implications for human health, this post makes one of many intriguing reads:

http://www.activistpost.com/2013/11/the-realities-of-tobacco-science-in.html

Science and Integrity

We often hear that supplements are not scientifically validated because they have not passed through ‘Double-Blind, placebo controlled’ studies. 

This is used as an excuse to scoff at generations’ worth of experience.

What is a DOUBLE BLIND study?

In short, when medicines are tested, a group of people who are all suffering from a particular problem are selected. These people are divided into at least two groups: one group will be given the medication and the other group will NOT receive the medication, but an inactive placebo instead.  

In the ideal situation, neither the people being tested, NOR the clinicians administering the doses know who is receiving what. Because neither the patient (single blind) nor the clinician (double blind) know who is receiving what, this kind of trial is called ‘Double Blind’. ‘Placebo controlled’ means that one group is actually being given a ‘medication’ but it contains NO active ingredients (as opposed to receiving nothing, for example).

In this way, it is hoped to minimise unmeasurable effects such as HOPE which might have such a positive effect on the patients that they improve through the body’s own efforts rather than the medication. Such a positive reaction is well-known as the ‘placebo effect’ and can influence results to the point that they may no longer be regarded as ‘scientific’.  

Scientists are aware of how easy it is to view results differently, depending on what you believe the outcome should be. A simple but well-known example of this is the glass half-full/half-empty scenario. The aim of double blind, placebo controlled studies is to produce unbiased results.

Unbiased Results?

Recording daily results and measurements is not difficult.

Interpreting them, is!

It is absolutely amazing how differently each body reacts to medication and even food. For example, a recent study on Blood Glucose (1) found that

1) The reaction between participants to a standardised meal varied greatly (up to 70%), and was determined by aspects such as gut flora, genetics, amount of sleep, enzymes present, etc.
2) The reaction which each participant had when given the exact same, standardised meal more than once, varied by an average of 30%.

Other factors which may affect the actual data include:

• The clinician’s expectations, mood on the day, technique in obtaining results and many more
• The participants’ mood, expectations and willingness to follow the protocol exactly
• The participants’ interpretation of how they feel: is pain better or worse, is this an (un)usual headache, is blood-pressure up through effort or medication, are these ‘palpitations’ from excitement or a side-effect?
• The weather, the friendliness and ease of access of the location (or not) and so many more

Once the data have been collected, they need to be organised and interpreted. This is where the REAL problem lies.

Research of any kind does not come cheap, and there are many ways in which researchers can (and do) please their sponsors to ensure future funding:

• Design the research with a specific result in mind (rather than to find the true answer)
• Select data which is pleasing and discard any which does not ‘fit’ the intended result
• ‘Massage’ data to obtain results which support the sponsor’s aims and claims
• Use innovative techniques (=cheating) to create graphs which look impressive but convey an incorrect impression (only a handful of people with access to the actual data can tell).
• Use ‘statistics’ to create a false impression
• An example of misrepresenting a totally insignificant result: in a random population of 5000 people, 2 people may get condition X per year. Using THIS medication on a test group of 5000 people, only 1 person got condition X. This is an improvement of 100%. YES!! One HUNDRED PERCENT improvement. But wait, there’s more…..By using THIS medication, your RISK of contracting condition X is REDUCED by HALF!!
• And many, many more!

There are multiple examples of such techniques being used in the gold-standard scientific methodology of Double-Blind studies.

What is maybe even worse, are the cases where negative effects are KNOWN by the manufacturer early on during the development and production stages and are purposely covered up. Such examples include

• Vioxx (Merck), an NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory) which ended up killing upwards of 38 000 (and possibly as many as half a MILLION) people before being withdrawn from the market(2,3).
• Avandia (GSK), a diabetes drug which lead to possibly as many as 100 000 (one HUNDRED THOUSAND) cases of stroke, heart attack or heart failure (4)
• Paxil (GSK), an anti-depressant that caused INCREASED rates of suicide in teenagers
• Bextra (NSAID, Pfizer), Risperdal (Anti-psychotic, Johnsson & Johnsson) and many others prove that these are not isolated cases. (5)

This is the so-called ‘science’ that supplements are up against. The ‘science’ of making vast amounts of profit from patented drugs at all/any cost.

Of course, NOT ALL double-blind studies are deceptive, and MANY patented drugs have the real potential to save or vastly improve lives. 

AND of course, not all manufacturers of supplements are above board. Nevertheless, if used under the guidance of your health care provider, quality supplements can be extremely beneficial (as proven by a VAST body of research PLUS many centuries worth of collective experience). In this age of virtually free access to information, one is also able to find out very quickly and efficiently about the effects of supplements on individuals. Trying out the effect, for example of Vitamin C on one’s own system is seldom very costly, has very few (if any) negative side-effects and can be stopped at any time without the risk of repercussions.

What is YOUR opinion on double-blind studies? Should they be required for supplements, and if so, why? 

Please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you. 

1)     Personalized Nutrition by Prediction of Glycemic Responses; Zeevi, Korem, Zmora  Israeli et al http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(15)01481

2)     https://www.drugwatch.com/vioxx/recall/

3)     http://www.theweek.co.uk/us/46535/when-half-million-americans-died-and-nobody-noticed

4)     http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-18673220

5)     http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/09/drug-firm-pays-billion-dollars-in-major-scandal.aspx

Is Stress killing you?

Are you under extreme pressure due to Year-End procedures? Is your boss expecting you to complete miracles? Are you studying for exams and struggling to keep an even keel?

For more info see: www.stress.org 

I have also heard the rumours about ‘good’ stress. There is a lot of information available on ‘Dr Google’ to make the most of it. But what if the stress affecting you is causing you to feel panicky when you get up in the morning? What if the weight of responsibility is squeezing the breath out of your lungs or your financial debt is crushing your passion for life?

These are the realities many of us are living with on a daily basis and sometimes it becomes overwhelming.

Is there anything we can do?

Yes indeed!

Firstly, we need to be honest with ourselves. Many of the causes of our stress, are self-inflicted. Reduce these by planning and preparing ahead, saying ‘NO’ to unnecessary commitments, and even lowering our standard of living if need be. Your health is WORTH IT!

That said, for the stress we cannot avoid - there IS HOPE!!

Stress occurs in three phases:

1.       Fight-or-Flight when adrenalin levels are high, together with energy levels, blood sugar levels, heart beat and blood pressure. Once the situation has passed, adrenalin levels return to normal.

2.       Resistance (adaptive) phase during which adrenalin levels remain higher than normal as the brain becomes used to sustained stress levels and does not react so effectively to the ‘stop’ signals.

3.       Exhaustion phase: the brain can no longer maintain the high levels of stress, and disease sets in. The exhaustion phase may eventually lead to adrenal insufficiency, which we also call ‘Burn-out’.

‘Excessive’ stress causes havoc with our hormones, including melatonin which plays a key role in sleep. Various neurotransmitters are affected (Norepinephrine and serotonin) and the body’s reserves of Vit B1, B6 Vit C, Calcium, Chromium, Magnesium and Potassium are depleted. Stress is also linked with a deficiency in Vit B5 as the body tries desperately to maintain the production of corticosteroid (adrenal) hormones.

WHAT can I do?

First prize is to find a way to reduce the stress levels you are dealing with.

The next step is to begin by ensuring that the depleted vitamins and minerals are supplemented in generous quantities. Cholesterol is essential for the production of hormones, so have the breakfast egg and enjoy it! Meat, nuts, sprirulina and pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are excellent sources of tryptophan (which the body uses to build serotonin).

Avoid caffeine and substances containing it (cacao, cola’s, coffee, tea, etc)

One of the unpleasant side-effects of stress is inflammation, so using a good Omega-3 fish oil supplement is valuable. Another is indigestion which can be improved by the use of pro-biotics, digestive enzymes and/or humic acids. Another distressing side-effect is the build-up of toxins with a whole host of unpleasant side-effects. These can be counteracted by taking supplements to support the methylation process (mainly the whole group of B-Vitamins). Excessive stress also has a negative influence on our immune system and our emotions. Vitamin D3, exercise and exposure to sunlight can all play a role in boosting our overall health and happiness.

Inter-Med can assist with any of the supplements mentioned in this blog. For more information contact us on 012-8047918

Minerals D'Amour

Without minerals, even $εX is no fun!

Valentine’s day has just come and gone. Around this time, it sometimes seems as though the whole World only has ‘one thing’ on its mind! So let’s look at the role of minerals in creating, sustaining and expressing PASSION! The loving kind for now. Remember though, that although alleviating a mineral deficiency may contribute significantly towards addressing many problems - minerals are BY NO MEANS the only factor influencing passion and sex!

LIBIDO

It all begins with an idea. A longing that instils itself in your head and demands satisfaction. Many relationships suffer from the simple principle:

No longing = no satisfaction

(his AND hers!)

A reduced libido is believed to occur more often in women, but is by no means absent in men. Research shows that a deficiency of the following minerals could play a role:
· Boron – could influence levels of libido in women
· Zinc – Even a marginal deficiency could affect libido in both Tarzan and Jane. Possibly due to its importance in the production of testosterone (which, contrary to popular belief) is as important in women as it is in men, even though there is usually more of it in men. Lost with every ejaculation.

IMPOTENCE and SEXUAL RESPONSE (Frigidity, Orgasm)

Impotence and frigidity do not have to be permanent conditions. If your relationship is suffering in this regard – SEEK HELP!

Some minerals which may help Tarzan to ‘stay up’ and keep swinging, include Molybdenum (cereals meat, legumes, cauliflower, etc), Phosphorous (NUTS) and Zinc (Oysters, liver, nuts, egg yolk, etc).

Jane might also find her ice melting with a little help from Zinc.

Testosterone is a key factor in the sexual experience for both men and women. Formation requires Boron (tomatoes, pears, honey etc), Magnesium (cereals, nuts, seafood, chocolate), Potassium (Fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish), Selenium (seeds and nuts, seafood, shiitake mushrooms) and – you’ve guessed it – ZINC! Making sure you don’t have a shortage of these minerals will certainly ensure BIGGER and BETTER!

And HOTTER and ….. This is definitely where that juicy steak comes in as proteins also play a vital role in ensuring an ‘uninhibited’ supply. Hmmm!

But wait, there’s more! Nitrogen (a gas) is absolutely essential for both men and women in the form of Nitric Oxide (NO). Isn’t it WONDERFUL that potentially romantic things like red wine and cacao help in making NO - Yes? Garlic does too – use that piece of information any way you wish

ENJOYING the Experience

In this case, the ‘bottom’ line is really to enjoy the ‘RIDE’! Many factors including nutrition, ambience, trust, companionship and many more, can and do help.

The Inter-Med VYROX Passion Drink may help too. Packed in sachets containing a raspberry flavoured drink, it has been designed to enhance the experience for both Tarzan AND Jane! Get comfortable, set the scene, dissolve a sachet of VYROX in a glass of wine for yourself and your partner, relax and ENJOY!

 Each sachet of VYROX contains a formulation of Tongat Ali, Panax Ginseng, Catuaba Bark, Muira Puama, Tribulus Terrestris, Epimedium Powder, Maca, Ginko Biloba Leaf, Urtica Duoica, Saw palmetto, Vitafenol, and Hawthorn. Other Vitamins and Nutrients included in Vyrox are: Folic Acid, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B12, Niacin, Thiamine, Riboflavin and Zinc.

Mighty MINERALS!

Stinky feet? Could be a shortage of Magnesium.
Short sighted? You may have a deficiency of Selenium.
Suffering from tooth decay or impotence? How much Molybdenum are you getting?

Supplementing essential Vitamins and Minerals is NOT a waste of money. On the contrary, it is just that: ESSENTIAL!

In earlier times, when hunter-gatherers survived by how good they were at finding and exploiting sources of food, the diet - when there was any - was probably varied and nutritionally rich enough to supply all the body's needs, if it could be found in sufficiently large quantities.

Magnesium 

So what has changed?
The word 'essential' in nutritional terms, means that the body cannot manufacture the nutrient itself from other sources, but has to obtain it from the diet. Some examples of essential nutrients include vitamins, minerals, 9 of the amino acids (building blocks of proteins), and certain fatty acids (e.g. Omega-3, 6 and 9). 

Organic substances – the molecules which make up our bodies, contain mostly Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen. Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are all organic substances which are used as building blocks. In addition to the 4 main elements, these building blocks contain minerals in varying quantities.

The term 'minerals' as it is used in nutrition is not a scientifically correct term. What we mean is a biologically usable form of various chemical ELEMENTS. For example, all biological organisms require seven major 'minerals' (or elements) for life, namely calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium.

‘Minerals’ are obtained from the mineral matter – the rocks, sand, silt and clay – and the organic matter (such as compost or manure) which make up the soil in which plants grow.

If it is not in the soil, it is NOT in the plant! 

Plants CANNOT manufacture minerals themselves.

To look green and healthy, plants need sufficient quantities of Nitrogen (nitrates), Phosphorous (phosphates), Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium and Sulphur. As fertilizers are expensive, these are the minerals which are most commonly used to fertilize crops.

Other elements which plants require in minute, or ‘trace’ quantities include Iron, Manganese, Boron, Zinc and Copper. These may be contained in organic fertilizers such as manure and very occasionally also in chemical (inorganic) fertilizers.

By the way – these chemical or inorganic fertilizers are a by-product of the mining and other large, chemical industries. The first South African fertilizers were produced in 1903 using animal bones, closely followed by fertilizers produced from sulphuric acid waste created when making explosives for the mining industry.

Animals and humans need several other trace elements (minerals) to remain healthy. According to current research these include Iodine, Chromium, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Silicon and Selenium amongst several others.

Ultimately, our ONLY natural source is from plants. After all, even meat can only contain those minerals which the animal was fed! 

Even when minerals are present in the soil many factors may cause them to be ‘blocked’ from being used by plants. For example the acidity of the soil, the amount of water in the soil, other minerals present, absence of the correct microbes (bacteria and other organisms) in the soil and so on – can all lead to minerals not being absorbed. In addition, crops today are grown in vast monocultures – planted in the same fields year after year with little or no rest or change in between.


The amounts of minerals actually contained in raw food is therefore often so low as to be negligible.

Add to this equation not only WHAT we eat, but also the processes we typically apply when we prepare our food: soaking, boiling, canning, preserving, etc. By the time we eat it, there are virtually NO minerals left!

Why MUST we supplement? Because minerals are needed to keep our cells, organs and systems working.

SO, before you emulate those critics who ‘pooh-pooh’ the idea of supplementing essential vitamins and minerals, do your research, check your diet and consider your health!

Check our products page for a range of TOP QUALITY, innovative 

multi-vitamin and mineral supplements!

MIND Diet

The MIND Diet has hit the news again, as the #2 most healthy diet selected by a panel of experts. That is quite an achievement for a relatively new diet, and worth looking at in more detail.

So what is the MIND Diet? 'MIND' stands for 'Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay'. It sounds a bit forced but the idea is clear - to try and stop the onset and/or progression of such diseases as Alzheimer's and Dementia through diet. Both the Mediterranean Diet (which is believed to aid in weight loss as well as the control of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc) and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets appeared to have brain health benefits as well.

The design of this diet was the result of a study commissioned by the National Institute on Ageing (USA) to investigate the possible benefits of diet for neurodegenerative conditions. The overall results were positive, leading the researchers to design the MIND Diet (Reference: https://www.rush.edu/news/diet-may-help-prevent-alzheimers).,

The MIND Diet is effectively a combination of the Mediterranean and the DASH diets. It divides foods into 15 food groups, 10 healthy and 5 unhealthy (to be avoided). To quote the researchers: "Dieters must limit eating the designated unhealthy foods ...to have a real shot at avoiding the devastating effects of Alzheimer's"

One of the most positive points to emerge from the research is that every little bit helps. If it is not possible or practical to adhere to the diet strictly at all times, even moderate compliance bears measurable benefits.

The researchers are the first to admit that a lot of further research is required (possibly including several changes to the diet as we learn more) before any real claims can be made about the MIND Diet. Nevertheless, we sincerely hope that the MIND Diet fires up people's hope, grabs their imaginations and obtains a huge following. For, even though we have a lot more to learn, if truth be told, the knowledge that our diet has a direct correlation with our brain function is not new. (See http://www.foodforthebrain.org/nutrition-solutions/dementia-and-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease/about-dementiaalzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease.aspx amongst many others). Sadly, for many years this was not acknowledged by main-stream health care providers (and in many instances still is not to this day) causing untold, unnecessary suffering.

Let us start with the 'bad' news.
The 5 unhealthy food groups identified in the MIND diet are:

·         Fried or fast food: Less than one serving a week

·         Cheese: Less than one serving a week

·         Butter and margarine: Less than a tablespoon daily

·         Red meat: Less than four servings a week

·         Pastries and sweets: Less than five servings a week

       

The healthy food groups are:

·         Green leafy vegetables (Spinach, kale, cabbage, salad leaves, etc): At least six servings a week

·         Other vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, cauliflower, etc): At least one a day

·         Nuts: As a snack 4 - 5 times a week

·         Berries: At least two servings a week

·         Beans: At least three servings a week

·         Whole grains: Three or more servings a day

·         Fish: At least once a week

·         Poultry (like chicken or turkey): At least twice a week

·         Olive oil

·         Wine: One glass a day

In the meantime, allow us to point out a few factors we (in South Africa) should bear in mind:

• Fish is the main source of Omega-3 (EHA/DPA) which most of the fish available in our supermarkets, does NOT contain. The exceptions include fresh tuna, sardines (NOT those in vegetable oil!), mackerel, salmon or other cold water, oily fish. Watch this space for further discussions on this topic!  
• The researchers specify blueberries which are super-scarce and expensive to come by in SA, for their brain-protecting properties. Strawberries are also mentioned. Clearly we need to supplement our anthocyanins from other sources.   
• Nuts (also expensive) contain many valuable fats and minerals which may be damaged or destroyed in our favourite, roasted versions.
• There are many other dietary factors required for good mental health. Some general tips:
• Use your common sense. Maintain a good balance and eat healthy to stay healthy.
• Eat a generous 'rainbow' of fruit in addition to the vegetables and the berries
• Sauces, condiments, convenience foods and processed foods contain many hidden chemicals and ingredients which are not beneficial and should be avoided.
• If you can't go organic, choose local, fresh and in season for the highest nutritional value
• Remember to drink a lot of good quality, fresh water every day
• Use a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement such as the Inter-Med Absolut or I-Strength products and an Omega-3 (fish oil) supplement daily to ensure that the basics are covered.    
• Other factors that are critical to maintain good mental health include:
• Activity (hobbies, friendships, pets, crafts, 'brain training', etc)
• Exercise
• Daily doses of sunshine for vitamin D (go for a walk with a friend and get all three in one!)
• and many more

There are many reasons why it is not always possible or feasible to obtain all the nutrients we require, from our diet.

Staywell Brain Health was specifically designed to assist in providing your brain with 

ALL the nutrients it requires to function at its best.

If you are struggling to fulfil your daily nutrient quota's and are beginning to feel stressed and run down, feel free to contact us on 012 804 7918 for more information on Staywell Brain Health and other products

Not full of Life and Energy? CoQ10 may be the reason!

CoQ₁₀: Ubiquinone or Ubiquinol?

The discussion of which form of CoQ₁₀  to use, has been widely publicised of late.

Ubiquinol is a whitish substance which is slightly soluble in water. 

Ubiquinone is a bright yellow, fat soluble substance which is the oxidised form of CoQ10. It is the fat soluble nature of the molecule together with the fact that both molecules have a very long structure which affects CoQ10's bioavailability as an oral supplement. 

Many people say that ubiquinone is the 'inactive' form of CoQ10 but this is incorrect. The two most important roles of CoQ10 are:
 1) to help in producing cellular energy. Without energy, the cells DIE. During this process ubiquinol is oxidised to ubiquinone and
 2) its second crucial role is to help quench the free radicals created during the energy production cycle, During this process, ubiquinone is reduced back to ubiquinol.

Every single cell therefore requires both forms of CoQ10 to survive. As CoQ10 has two extra electrons, there is actually a third, in-between form of CoQ10 in which only one electron has been shared (a half-oxidised molecule which can move either way) and all three forms are very active in each cell. Most of the CoQ10 is located inside the mitochondrial membrane and cells (such as heart muscle cells) which work the hardest, have the largest numbers of mitochondria and therefore also CoQ10.

CoQ10 is really quite marvellous! 

CoQ10 is produced in the same production process which produces cholesterol in the liver. With age the amount of CoQ10 produced, decreases. In addition, certain medications interfere with the process and result in a deficiency of CoQ10 and therefore the cells have too little energy to maintain their life processes. These cells can NOT continue to function and DIE!

Medications interfering in the body's production of CoQ10 include:
Statins
Birth control pills
Beta-blockers
Phenothiazines (Schizophrenia)
Tricyclic anti-depressants
etc
as well as a deficiency of Vitamin B6

Symptoms include muscle cramps, weakness, heart failure, mental and physical fatigue, high blood pressure, general aches and pains and many more.

How to improve Bioavailability:
• Due to the fat soluble nature of CoQ10, it is best taken after a meal containing some form of dietary fat.
 • One way of ensuring better absorption is by mixing the CoQ10 (take the powder out of the capsule) with a small amount of a good quality, full fat yoghurt (such as natural Greek or Bulgarian yoghurt) the night before to ensure that it is already 'dissolved' in the fat by the time you eat it.
• Taking Vitamin E at the same time reduces the absorption of CoQ10 as well as blood levels of CoQ10. This may be due to competition. Vitamin E is also important, so to prevent competition, take your Vitamin E at lunch time and CoQ10 at breakfast and/or dinner.
 • Several of the B-Vitamins are crucial to the production and function of CoQ10. If you are not using a B-Complex, it may be worth supplementing Vitamin B6 in particular.

To remember when using:
• For maintenance purposes use as per dosage on the label (in hot summers or during strenuous exercise, use up to 3 caps per day if needed).
 • For therapeutic purposes the dosage on the label may be insufficient. Consult a doctor willing to test the blood levels in order to determine the optimum dosage. If this is not possible, please contact us for a general guidelines where needed. In particular, recent research has shown that for therapeutic purposes, a minimum blood value of CoQ10 is required for a lengthy period (some patients only began to experience real improvement after using significantly higher doses and having the required minimum blood levels for 3 -6 months).
• The use of CoQ10 may have some slight side-effects (e.g. nausea, diarrhoea, less appetite, heartburn) but NO serious side-effects have been found even at doses of up to 1200mg per day. If using more than the indicated dosage, side effects can be minimised by dividing the dosage over more than one meal.
• Do not use if you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• If using anti-coagulation drugs make sure to check blood coagulation more regularly for the first two weeks to ensure that there is no change.

For more information on the Staywell CoQ10 product, please contact us on 012 804 7918