Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, can severely affect the quality of an individual’s life. Occurring mostly during spring and summer, the symptoms of hay fever include a runny nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes leaving the person often drained of energy and generally feeling a bit under the weather.

The causes of hay fever are widely known. It is an allergic response to pollen and other airborne allergens such as fungal spores, and the reaction is further heightened by pollution. When airborne allergens such as pollen enter the body, the immune system produces just the right amount of histamine, which sends signals to complex structure of blood cells and chemicals that help to protect the body. In the case of hay fever, the body produces far too much histamine than is required resulting in the inflammation of the tissues leading to a stuffy nose, watery eyes, wheezing and even headaches.

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Cataracts commonly occur in the elderly and are the leading cause of blindness worldwide affecting up to 40% of people over the age of 75. The astounding fact is that cataract formation is present in all adults over the age of 30. In an eye that has no cataract, the lens is clear and light can pass through the lens on to the retina so that a clear image can be seen. The lens in an eye with cataract is clouded and the image produced is not clear.

A cataract develops when proteins aggregate in the lens of the eye with a progressive loss of transparency. This is akin to what happens to the white of an egg when it is cooked. As the protein becomes oxidised, it hardens and loses its transparency.

Whilst the exact pathway leading to the formation of cataracts still remains unknown, there are some risk factors that predispose us to cataract formation. These include age (being over 30), diabetes, smoking, alcohol, high sugar intake, high blood pressure, genetics, diets deficient in antioxidants and exposure of the eyes to excessive sunlight.

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Haemorrhoids are badly swollen, inflamed veins located both around the anus and along the very lowest part of the colon in the rectum. The swollen veins that are external are commonly referred to as piles or external haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids are unique to humans, no other animal has this problem. It is estimated that nearly 75% of all adults in the Western world will suffer from haemorrhoids at some point and that is why the causal factors are thought to be predominantly dietary and ageing.

The symptoms of external haemorrhoids, those that protrude outside the body, are typically itching, pain and bleeding. When faecal matter passes through the anal region, some of these inflamed veins cannot resist the pressure and hence rupture releasing their contents which causes pain in the region, itching and blood spots. External haemorrhoids can cause discomfort and disruption in your daily activity.

Internal haemorrhoids on the other hand are usually painless. Whilst you may see some blood spots or staining, the discomfort is significantly less, however one should go and visit your GP at the first sign of blood to rule out any possible links to other diseases.

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Premenstural Syndrome (PMS) is a condition which occurs between 7 and 14 days before menstruation. The symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome are thought to arise as a result of an imbalance in female hormones, mostly an excess of oestrogen in relation to progesterone. Typical symptoms include headaches, tender breasts, bloating, abdominal cramping, irritability and often a lack of energy. There are a number of remedies that are recommended to alleviate PMS and often the consumer is faced with having to take several supplements when this may not be necessary. I am going to outline a simple regimen which for the majority helps alleviate this concern.

Firstly, I would recommend the use of ChasteBerry Fruit by Swanson. This traditional herb, also known as Agnus Castus, acts on the pituitary gland to increase the secretion of luteinising hormone which leads to greater production of progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle. In this way, ChasteBerry Fruit exerts a balancing effect on the activity of the female sex hormones and hence alleviates many premenstrual symptoms.

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Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder which causes an awkward sensation in the legs along with an uncontrollable desire to move the limbs for relief. This uncomfortable sensation usually occurs in the legs and feet, but can also be present on the arms and elsewhere on the body. Most sufferers of RLS describe the sensation as a ‘creepy crawly sensation’, a tingling type, or as if pins and needles are being pricked into the affected part of the body. There may also be numbness which gives the sufferer a strong urge to move the limb or the affected part of the body.

The exact cause of RLS is still not fully understood however genetics play a link, magnesium and iron deficiencies have been implicated, certain drugs may be responsible for RLS, and some concerns such as diabetes increase the incidences of RLS.

I normally tend to recommend a good circulatory supplement such as Diosmin Plus. This supplement contains powerful circulatory herbs and extracts such as Gotu Kola, Ginger and Horse Chestnut to enhance the flow of blood in the entire body including the lower limbs. This helps to oxygenate all the tissues providing them with vital nutrients such as magnesium to ensure healthy muscle and nerve function. Do not take Diosmin Plus with blood thinning medications such as warfarin and heparin.

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Many modern pharmaceutical drugs have been derived directly from plants and fungal species that have been shown to demonstrate remarkable abilities to improve wellbeing or have an effect on diseases at a molecular level. Notable examples include aspirin from willow bark and the discovery of penicillin from a mould by Alexander Fleming. Increasingly, scientists continue to discover plant compounds that demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties, intervene in cell mutation, have powerful antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and may also slow down the ageing process due to their antioxidant properties. Turmeric is one such compound that has been, and still is, studied extensively for all the above benefits.

Although it is difficult to pinpoint exactly which country turmeric originated from, there is a huge likelihood that it was first grown in India. Indian cuisine not only includes the wonderfully fragrant and flavourful ginger, chilli and cardamom, but also turmeric, which is widely used in many curry dishes. Turmeric is not only used in Indian cuisine but it has been revered by Chinese medicine and in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties for more than 3000 years. In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used extensively because of its ability to curb inflammation and helping in the treatment of a variety of disorders. It is mixed with honey to form a thick paste which can be taken orally for sore throats and colds and the sticky paste can be applied to skin for infections and inflammatory skin concerns. Turmeric powder is also commonly used in Asia for the relief of stomach complaints and for kidney and bladder infections. In Chinese medicine, turmeric has been used for the relief of arthritis for thousands of years.

These faith-based claims have been the subject of hundreds of experiments to evaluate if turmeric really does have beneficial properties. What has emerged from these studies is that turmeric contains a group of polyphenol plant pigments called curcumin, and it is this compound that is responsible for some of turmeric’s remarkable properties.

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The Anti-Candida Regimen

There are approximately 150 known species of Candida, a yeast-like group of fungi that exist in more than 80% of people. We continually acquire these fungi through the food we eat and through environmental exposure. They usually exist in the genitourinary tracts, respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract. They typically exist in the body without being harmful however an abnormal overgrowth of these fungi can cause infection often referred to as Candidiasis.

The symptoms of Candida overgrowth can cause countless health problems affecting various parts of the body. Common symptoms include gastrointestinal disturbances, allergies, food intolerances, headaches, irritability, constant fatigue and tiredness, nutrient deficiencies, cravings for sugar and carbohydrate rich foods, anxiety, oral thrush and genitourinary tract infections. Problems get worse when we eat too much sugar, take antibiotics for a period of time, or have a weakened immune system. Under these circumstances, Candida can proliferate and the symptoms get worse.

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It is perfectly normal for people to feel tired especially when they are feeling slightly run down and cannot cope with the pace of life. Often, we use the terms tired, fatigue and exhaustion interchangeably for what we are experiencing and yet in medical terms they are very distinct.

Tiredness differs from fatigue in that although you may not feel it, the body still has some energy in reserve which it can tap into in the case of an emergency. The symptoms of tiredness include weakness of the muscles, heaviness, forgetfulness, impatience often leading to irritability. Tiredness is very common especially if you have had a hard day at work, or if you are simply feeling a bit under the weather and have not had the time to relax and recuperate. Most of the time, this can be addressed by resting for a few hours allowing the body to recover.

However, if you are constantly tired, even after resting, then this may be indicative of what is termed “adrenal stress”. The adrenal glands are chiefly responsible for releasing hormones when under stress. Stress in this case can be physical stress or hormonal as is the case when we age and our hormone production declines. In both cases, the adrenals over-produce cortisol, the stress hormone. Whilst the adrenal glands are busy producing cortisol, they do not produce sufficient of the energising hormones and enzymes resulting in constant tiredness.

To counter this, I would recommend the use of Sibergin by HealthAid, take one capsule fifteen minutes before breakfast. Sibergin contains a high potency of Siberian Ginseng which works to lower cortisol levels and enhance the production of energising enzymes and hormones. For the majority, energy enhancement is experienced within a short period of time.

At times of stress, the adrenals place a huge demand on the supply of nutrients which are absolutely essential for their optimal function. To ensure that the body is not depleted of these nutrients, I would recommend the use of a good food state multinutrient supplement such as All Natural Perfectly Balanced or My Favorite Multiple Energizer.

Finally, and this is one that most people forget about, the body requires good fats for the production of healthy cells, hormone regulation, transport of vitamins and minerals in and out of cells and for energy production. These good fats are termed as essential fatty acids and cannot be manufactured by the body. They have to be obtained either through our diet or by way of supplementation. The two types of essential fatty acids that are vital for the body are omega 3′s and omega 6′s. It is well accepted that we get sufficient omega 6′s through our diet from vegetable oils, eggs, poultry, cereals and nuts. It also now well recognised that we tend to be deficient in omega 3′s. The best source of omega 3′s is Power of Krill by LifeFlo and I would recommend a dose of two capsules daily.

The ageing of skin is a multi-faceted process which is impacted by lifestyle, dietary choices and genetics. The cells of our bodies are programmed to have a finite lifespan. Each time a cell divides, some genetic material is lost so that on average, thirty to forty cell divisions is usually the maximum and after this the cell is considered to be aged. Obviously, external factors play a role in this process by damaging the genetic material, diets which enhance free radical production halt the regenerative process and the decline in the uptake of nutrients by the cells themselves results in the inability of the cells to regenerate due to lack of energy.

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Whilst research has focused primarily on finding safe and effective treatments for the management of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the incidence of gout has quietly risen in the past two decades. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes stiff, swollen and painful joints and typically two thirds of people will experience it as excruciating pain in the big toe. The symptoms of gout mentioned above are due to excess uric acid crystals that form around the joints, and the pain is caused by your body’s inflammatory response to these crystals. These symptoms can develop rapidly to their worst point in six to twenty four hours and usually last for between three and ten days, often referred to as a gout attack. After this time, the joint/s will start to feel normal and any pain or discomfort should eventually disappear.

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