Issue 176

Where's Your Head At? Beating Depression & Anxiety!

Depression & Anxiety - prevalent all year round however some of us may find we are more prone coming into the winter months. For many different reasons - it gets that little bit harder to do those morning exercise sessions, we may be traveling to and from work in the dark, or perhaps we're just more tired.

This then has a knock-on effect on many other areas of our lives. You may experience low energy, weight gain, poor libido, lack of motivation or sugar cravings. Fortunately there are natural ways to avoid depression & anxiety which are very effective and work fast! There are many different ways to tackle this area:-

Herbal medicine can have you feeling better straight away using herbs such as Skullcap, Passionflower, Kava, St John's Wort & Rehmannia. Liquid herbs work quickly and can be tailored to your individual needs. Alternatively, herbal teas such as the relaxing tea blend made at Vive is equally usefull.

Flower essences are fantastic for treating any condition with an emotional cause. Be it feeling nervous, out of control, anxious, feeling overwhelmed or lacking in confidence, flower essences help you to reflect on these issues opening you up to the positive side and drawing you out of these feelings.

Diet is crucial to mental health function. Ensuring a balanced diet full of wholegrains, good sources of protein, leafy greens, fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds is vital in providing the nutrients required for our adrenal health, nervous system and neurotransmitter production.

Exercise reduces stress by eliminating tension in the muscles and increasing blood flow to the peripheral muscles and brain. Most importantly though, exercise releases hormones closely related to opiates called endorphines. We've all heard about them, they're easy to get, so think seriously about getting out and exercising at least 3 times per week. Try something new, a sport you haven't played since high school (footy, netball, dancing or cricket) or ask us about personal trainers, pilates, yoga or meditation.

Nutritional supplements can provide the necessary nutrients if you are deficient or your diet is lacking. During times of stress your body tends to 'chew' through nutrients much faster than other times. Omega 3 supplements such as flaxseed or fish oil are useful to improve mood and well-being while magnesium can assist your muscles and nervous system to relax. Come in and ask about more specific nutrients such as amino acids phenylalanine and tryptophan to support neurotransmitter function.

Lifestyle choices - calming the mind can be achieved through deep breathing exerices as well as through meditation, yoga and relaxation classes. Simply creating a balance between work and pleasure activities can make a huge difference to energy levels and controlling any 'mind chatter'. Most of us try to be superhuman and pack too much into our day forgetting the essence of living. Starting good dietary & lifestyle habits which are sustainable as part of your life will help ward off depression and anxiety for good!

VIVE Organic food and Health Clinic

36 Riding Road Hawthorne 07 3399 1002

http://www.vivemarket.com.au

Perfect Digestion : By Miriam Young!

Karen (38) thought she was allergic to wheat and diary. Her tummy also swelled up like a balloon every time she ate anything sweet. This was particularly difficult for her to deal with as she travelled a lot with work and had to eat on the run all the time. When I first met Karen she was irritable and depressed, suffered from hay fever and at times described herself as desperate, as constipation had been her constant companion for over 7 years.

After an herbal and nutritional program lasting 3 months (she was very run down) Karen can now tolerate dairy and small amounts of wheat. Parasites showed up in her Live Blood Assessment, so two months of the program consisted of a systemic anti-parasite cleanse. Karen is now able to eat biscuits and cake once or twice per week without any bloating or discomfort. Karen no longer sufferers from hay fever, as the mucous membranes of her intestines are no longer being irritated by invading organisms, and she is now much more regular in her bowel pattern.

Does Karen's story sound familiar? Digestive problems are one of the most common disorders affecting humanity. If you have a digestive system that is functioning less than perfectly, you will most likely suffer impaired nutritional absorption, resulting in fatigue, poor concentration, distorted patterns of thinking and lack of motivation.

Mucoid Plaque
Over seventy per cent of the immune system is located within the intestines. Improperly digested foods in the small and large intestines tend to ferment and putrefy, forming a sticky tar-like substance which sticks to the intestinal wall. This old poo is known as mucoid plaque and an excessive build-up often leads to irritation of the mucous lining and can impair the immune system, causing allergies and contribute to auto-immune conditions.

We should absorb vitamins, minerals and energy through the intestinal lining, but if it is coated in this toxic sludge, absorption fails to happen. Stress, inactivity, harmful organisms and orthodox medication contribute to the formation of mucoid plaque. Foods which contribute to this toxic sludge formation are white flour and white rice, meat, milk and dairy products, coffee and processed foods, including preservatives, sugar, artificial sweeteners and colourings - junk foods in general.

Harmful Organisms
Depending on who you speak to, it is estimated that 75-97% of people have harmful organisms or parasites living in their body. Over 134 kinds of parasites can live in the human body. They can live anywhere in the body be it in the digestive organs, lungs, liver, muscles or brain. We can become infested with parasites by eating under-cooked meat or fish, touching animals, drinking infected water, being bitten by flies or mosquitoes, eating foods grown in infected soil and walking barefooted on infected soil.

You may need an intestinal and/or harmful organism cleanse if you suffer from the following: Crone's disease/ Ulcerative Colitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome/Constipation/Diahorrea/Gastric Pain/bloating Never been well since trip overseas Sinusitis/Hay fever/Asthma/Lung Infection/Coughing Headaches/nausea Constant Fatigue/Poor Immune Function/Candida Infertility/vaginal infections Depression Hormonal Conditions Itching - skin and/or anus

Constipation Other than inappropriate diet, toxic sludge build-up and a poorly functioning liver, the most common cause of constipation is dehydration. It is important that the cause of constipation is identified and treated and that the bowel is not just left to putrefy. Laxative abuse is one of the most prevalent "quick fix" approaches sufferers of constipation resort to. What starts with one laxative soon becomes three or four to do the same job.

Replacing Beneficial Bacteria
Many people with a digestive issue take a probiotic or acidophilus supplement every day. This is not a 'bad' thing to do, however many of these same people also experience that a probiotic does not entirely get rid of the problem. As soon as the probiotic is stopped, the digestive symptoms such as bloating, loose, and/or mucous bowel movements etc come back. This is because they have not treated the real cause of their dis-ease - the existence of unhealthy organisms such as Giardia, Blastocystis, Klebsellia, and Candida living in their digestive system. It's important to 'weed' the system first destroying harmful organisms and then 're-seed' with beneficial bacteria, it in order to achieve perfect digestion. The most powerful way of destroying harmful organisms in the intestines is with herbal medicine, essential oils and food grade hydrogen peroxide.

Miriam Young, Medical Herbalist practices from Flourish Remedies, Herbal Pharmacy in Doonan, 07 5449 1130. Her 'Detox For Life' Health Retreats held at 'The Retreat Beach Houses', Peregian are now booking for April and October 2010, explore www.detox4life.com.au.

Brisbane Visits available.

The Top 3 Benefits Of Looking After Your Health: by Sue Lester from Growing Content!

1. Saves You Time
Imagine the difference to your busy life if you were always calm, relaxed, sleeping well and thinking clearly. Would you be more efficient and happier then? Coping with pain and stress uses up enormous amounts of physical, emotional and mental energy. Don't you function better when you feel well? All that time and mental space you currently spend stressing and worrying can be freed up for you to use more productively. You might even find time for fun too!

2. Saves You Money
The money you invest in regaining and maintaining your health pays huge dividends over your lifetime. You are less likely to have time off work or to lose business through illness, and potentially avoiding expensive hospital bills. By consulting a health care professional you don't throw away money on cheap ineffective supplements and treatments. And compare the cost of natural fertility treatment with the financial and emotional cost of IVF. Caring for your health means you are able to care for your family now, and yourself as you get older for longer. Most importantly, Quality of Life is priceless.

3. Improves Your Self Esteem
Caring for your health is a sign you value yourself and your ability to contribute to the world. When you feel well, relaxed and happy it shows in your face, how you move and interact with others at home and at work. Feeling healthy, physically and emotionally, means you look better which in turn boosts your self esteem even more. You have the energy to enjoy your life, and make whatever changes you want to improve it even more.

Good health doesn't come instantly, and certainly not from popping a white pill and soldiering on. It would be unreasonable to expect instant cures for problems that have been around for weeks, months or years, but when you are committed to your health, noticeable changes don't take long.

Autumn Special: Complimentary 30 minute Problem Dissolving NLP Session. Valued at $60. This will answer your questions about Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and dissolve a problem or two for you. It's as amazing as it sounds! Sessions are available in person or by telephone Mondays and Wednesdays with Sue Lester, Master Practitioner of NLP and Hypnosis. Call Paddington Clinic now to reserve yours 07 3369 0045.

 

www.growingcontent.com.au

Paddington Clinic 12/261 Given Tce, Paddington, Qld.
Growing Content, 432 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley Qld

0428 128 679.


The Chemicals in Clean Hair: By Vitale Natural!

When it comes to shampoo it seems that bubbles are what counts. Why because the bubbles show that the shampoo is cleaning our hair effectively. Bubbles are created when the surface tension of the water is broken by a surfactant and air is trapped within the film of the soap. Unfortunately while bubbles may represent clean hair, more bubbles aren't necessarily better for our hair or scalp. Some of the surfactants used in shampoos have the potential for scalp and skin irritation and hair damage.

We use many surfactants in our daily life, soaps and detergents, cleaning compounds, shampoos and a host of personal hygiene products. This article will look at two commonly used surfactants used in shampoo namely Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, and Decyl Glucoside. Both serve the same function in removing oil and dirt from skin and hair and being the base on which the hair cleaning products are built. That is where the similarity ends.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate other wise known as SLS and other Sulphates are the most commonly used ingredients in shampoo. They are cheap, easy to formulate and provide plenty of bubbles and foam that we expect and like. Unfortunately this synthetic surfactant is the cause of many of the hair, scalp and skin problems that occur.

A study of the Material Safety Data Sheet of SLS provides us information about the hazard status of this product. It is moderately toxic and its contact hazard is also moderate however the issue is repeated exposure, such as regular use of a shampoo or body wash, which can lead to skin issues such as dermatitis. It has been used in medicine as a standard, or as a scale, to measure skin irritancy in comparing other chemicals. The irritation occurs even at concentrations of 0.5%.

Originally from plant origin, the starting material for this surfactant is Lauric acid, which is a coconut oil fatty acid. While the starting material may be natural, during the conversion process to SLS, petrochemicals are added which means that the end product is nowhere near natural and may also retain contaminants such as 1,4, dioxane, a potential carcinogen. While the levels are minuscule, the potential for toxicity arises with repeated exposure.

From an environmental perspective, SLS is not biodegradable which may present wider issues for the ecology of our waterways.

The Hazards of SLS In some soaps and shampoos the concentration of SLS may be as high as 30%. This is cause for alarm, considering the risk of dermatitis and skin irritation due to exposure at such high concentrations. In children this threat is enhanced due to the softer skin and it is advisable to look for SLS free products and products using mild surfactants.

In addition to the direct contact effects of SLS, many shampoos contain nitrate compounds. These compounds can react with SLS with the potential to form carcinogenic nitrates. Given the potential, however small for the creation of carcinogenic compounds, it is advisable to choose personal hygiene products that do not contain SLS.

Glycosides and poly glycosides, also called saponins are present in most plants. Some of these saponins are toxic however there are many saponins which are safe for topical or medicinal applications and even for human consumption as food. A wide variety of species, their geographical distribution, their applications and use by mankind are documented. Soap Bark (Quillaya), Soap Nut, Yucca Plant, Soap Wort, Horse Chestnut, Bracken and Soap Lily are a few examples of soap plants, from different parts of the world

Decyl Glucoside is a surfactant derived from two natural products, decyl alcohol and glucose. Decyl alcohol (Deca means ten) is produced from Capric acid. Capric acid itself is a fatty acid with a ten member carbon chain and is a constituent fatty acid of coconut and Palm oils. Capric acid is present to the extent of around 7% and 4% in coconut and palm oils respectively. Glucose, the other ingredient is produced from corn, maize and other starch based products.

It is important to clarify that a natural starting material does not necessarily equal a natural ingredient at the end of the manufacturing process. As pointed out with SLS, the addition of synthetic or petrochemical ingredients during the process of manufacture can completely change the starting material. While decyl glucoside is similarly changed from it starting material during manufacture, it does not carry the same risks of contamination as SLS so the end material is a very mild nonionic surfactant produced from corn, maize and other starch based products. Decyl glucoside is classified as ether in chemical terminology. It is produced by reacting decyl alcohol with glucose in the presence of an acid. The product is then purified and extraneous ingredients and reactants removed. Purified decyl glucoside is a liquid, which dissolves in water in any proportion.

Due to its mild nature on skin and its bio degradability, it is used in shampoos, hair creams, lotions and other personal hygiene products including baby products. Generally decyl glucoside is much more expensive and labour intensive to produce and described as "tricky" to formulate with. Many products use decyl glucoside as a primary or secondary surfactant. It is a good emulsifier and has excellent foaming and lather properties. For this reason, the lack of potential for irritation and the absence of potential carcinogicity, decyl glucoside is a better choice in personal care items than SLS.

Some of the characteristics of Decyl Glucoside are " Decyl Glucoside is an excellent emulsifier and produces good lather.


Does not contain allergens,
Is not a skin irritant
No carcinogenic properties
Chronic exposure symptoms have not been reported and no limits have been set on exposure to this product.

Decyl glucoside is by no means the only alternative to SLS however it is more and more commonly seen in shampoo and other personal care items and when it comes to choosing what to use on a daily basis, the more you know about the ingredients, the better. It also creates lots of lovely bubbles so lather away!

Author: Marie Davies, hairdresser and creator of the Eko Organica range of hair care. Edited by Ananda Mahony, naturopath and skin specialist. www.vitalenatural.com.au


Healing Emotions: Can The Mind Heal The body?

How are the brain, immune system and emotions interconnected?

What emotions are associated with enhanced well being?

What are the effects of emotional stress on our mind, body and spirit?

The emergence of new insights into the relationship between physical and mental health and emotional experiences is well documented. Research has clearly demonstrated a significant negative impact on our bodies from unresolved emotional stress such as grief, trauma, conflict, relationship breakdown, ill health and depression. These stresses occur as our natural defense is to withdraw, withhold or block out intense feelings, often leading to inadequate or inappropriate expression of feelings affecting ourselves and those around us.

Internalising these strong emotions leads to chemical changes in the brain and nervous system, develops symptoms such as headaches, malaise, muscle tension while affecting respiration and pulse rates. Long term emotional stress can cause severe physical tension, ultimately impacting on the immune system leading to serious medical conditions and even death.

Prevention of ill health requires that we maintain a positive approach to both our physical and emotional health. Professional counselling provides the opportunity to explore, clarify and find solutions to personal issues, leading to a healthy resolution of life's challenges.

http://www.clayfieldcounselling.com.au

Clayfield Courtyard 699-713 Sandgate Road Clayfield Qld 4011 Australia

07 3862 6622


My Health Specials: Goodlife Health Clubs 3 Day Passes!

 

18 locations

http://www.goodlifehealthclubs.com.au/



Attention practitioners!

Receive 2 free listings on the Pure Calma our Events Board, the event/s can take place at any time from now until the end of June 2010. http://www.purecalma.com/events_au.html

 

Short and Sweet:Asian Style Lamb Salad!

Ingredients:

500g lamb back straps 1 tablespoon macadamia nut oil 1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced 10 radishes, washed and trimmed and thinly sliced 1 small bunch of Chinese greens

1 small red capsicum

100g bean sprouts 1 tbsp fresh chopped coriander 2 tablespoon fresh chopped basil 1 red chilli, seeded and finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tsp grated ginger

Dressing:

2 tsp fish sauce 1 tablespoon light soy sauce 1 teaspoon sesame oil juice of 1/2 lime 1 tsp brown sugar

Instructions: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large frying pan and cook lamb over high heat for 1-2 minutes each side, then reduce heat and cook for a further 3-4 minutes each side using a medium heat. Cover with foil and rest, keeping warm for 5 minutes, then slice on the diagonal into 1cm thick slices.

Place ingredients for dressing in a small bowl and mix with a fork, until well-combined

Combine vegetable ingredients in a large bowl and top with lamb pieces. Drizzle with dressing.

 

MassAttack

Laughter is the best medicine!

This is the true story of George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi, who was going to bed when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the shed. George opened the door to go turn off the light but saw there were people in the shed in the process of stealing things. He immediately phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" and George said no and explained the situation. Then they explained that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be there when available. George said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again. "Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people in my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them all." Then he hung up. Within five minutes three squad cars, an Armed Response unit, and an ambulance showed up. Of course, the police caught the burglars red-handed. One of the policemen said to George: "I thought you said that you'd shot them!" George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

.Quote of the week!

"When a defining moment comes along, you can do one of two things. Define the moment, or let the moment define you." Tin Cup (the movie)

For a Good Cause: Why Support Able Australia?

Able Australia Services is a long-standing non-profit organisation that provides services to people with multiple disabilities including deafblindness. Our vision at Able Australia is to create a community where the people we support are seen, hear, respected, valued and connected. We reach out to the people we support, helping them achieve a quality of life that anyone in the community might expect and a feeling of worth, belonging and self-fulfillment. Able Australia was formerly known as The Deafblind Association, the new name being launched on November 8, 2006, by Federal Treasurer Peter Costello at Federation Square.

 

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http://www.ableaustralia.org.au/

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My Health Specials provides this information for your personal education and enrichment. Information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Nor should the information replace the advice of your health care practitioner. Always seek professional advice if suffering an illness. My Health Specials Pty Ltd and all parties involved in the conception, production, ongoing maintenance and operation of Naturally Happy accept no liability and no responsibility for any damage whatsoever arising from or in connection to your use or operation of the website or information contained in this e-magazine.