A: I used to get similar weals from monosodium glutamate, which is often added to Chinese and Thai foods. If she doesn’t suffer from any food sensitivity, pharmacist Shabir Daya advises that she uses Stinging Nettle Extract by Swanson, £14.95 for 120 capsules. Nettles are excellent at detoxifying the bloodstream, inhibit the formation of histamine and have an anti-inflammatory effect, he adds.

SKIN SAVIOUR

Jane Iredale, founder of the eponymous mineral make-up range, tells me she has seen good results on the faces and bodies of acne- and rosacea-prone adults with a course of Skin Accumax. This supplement contains vitamins A, C and E and a nutrient complex found in broccoli.

MY HEALTH: SARAH PARISH, 44, ACTRESS

I never go on the scales: doing the right exercise and eating good food is the key to being in great shape.

I fell in love with barre exercise classes in Vancouver, when my husband [actor James Murray] was filming there in 2011. It was so different from the gym and it worked muscles I didn’t know I had.

I was at the age where everything drops a few inches. The barre exercises are fantastically toning for trouble spots – bingo wings, bottom, waist, tummy and tops of thighs – giving you the lifting and firming you never get on a treadmill.

I was quite a busty girl and hated it. In Canada, I dropped three cup sizes, and one dress size.

There was nothing like barre exercise in England. I found two teachers via the internet and we created our own barre workout called BarreToned. Now we have opened a studio in West London.

BarreToned is actually more like pilates than ballet. The aim is to tone your body, giving you a long, lean look with graceful posture. It’s low impact and good for joints. But you need to do three to five classes a week to change your shape, and to work until you practically shake with the burn.

Eating well is vital too. If you live on sugar, burgers and chips, nothing will change. I have green tea and porridge for breakfast, a quinoa salad for lunch and nuts and fruit for a snack. In the evening I have fish with lots of veggies. We don’t eat rice or pasta after 5pm. And I drink lots of water.

I take omega-3 supplements and vitamin C. I get slightly anaemic so I also take a Spatone iron supplement.

Happiness is having time to potter at home. I feed our ducks and chickens, and bath our three-year-old daughter Nell.
BarreToned, tel:020 7229 8668, barretoned.com

SOFT AS A BABY’S…

Premature babies at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, and Queen’s and King George’s Hospitals, Essex, are snug in super-soft bamboo rayon, which is ideal for their sensitive skin. The special care baby units are using Mini Swandoodle muslins by Cuski. Premature babies are prone to posseting and vomiting and placing these antibacterial moisture-wicking cloths under their heads avoids the need for frequent bedding changes. These multitaskers are great for all babies, serving as winding cloths, bibs and breastfeeding covers. A pack of four costs £19.99, from cuskishop.co.uk. Free p&p for YOU readers: enter the code YOU2 at the checkout.

A SUPER-SPICY SOLUTION FOR PMS

When you have PMS symptoms such as tiredness, low mood, headaches and cramping, eating usually involves grabbing the sort of carb- and/or caffeine-laden goodies that give you a fleeting comfort hit but can often make you feel worse.

Food can, however, be an effective way of treating PMS and other everyday ailments, says award-winning chef and nutritionist Gurpareet Bains, whose fans include Goldie Hawn and Gwyneth Paltrow (below). The answer is to use spices and herbs in abundance, as he explains in his book Indian Superspices, which offers recipes to help with PMS, colds, hangovers, allergies and insomnia.

The recipes are described as ‘lab-inspired’ because the beneficial effects of the ingredients have been verified by research. For example, fennel: in a study of girls with severe period pain, 80 per cent of those taking fennel experienced complete pain relief, compared with 73 per cent of those taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

My colleague Victoria, who suffers from PMS, trialled Bains’s soothing salmon and juniper berry curry which is made with anti-inflammatory spices such as fennel, juniper berries, chilli, coriander and cumin, as well as his ‘no-more-headache baked beans’ flavoured with nigella, which has analgesic properties.

‘Both recipes were simple and quick, and the whole family enjoyed them,’ she reports. ‘They felt light, clean and also energising [a property of cumin].’

I like Bains’s recipe for turkey with blueberries, cinnamon and fennel (right), which is designed to regulate blood sugar levels and so help with any hormonal flurry. Indian Superspices, £7.20 for the Kindle edition, from amazon.co.uk

TURKEY WITH BLUEBERRIES, CINNAMON AND FENNEL

200g / 7oz blueberries
20g / ¾ oz fresh chopped coriander plus
extra to garnish
4 garlic cloves finely chopped
2 tbsp grated (peeled) fresh root ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp chilli powder
½ tsp turmeric
salt to taste
500g / 1lb 2oz low-fat greek yoghurt
500g / 1lb 2oz skinless boneless turkey
breast fillets cut into bite-size pieces
1 tsp garam masala
pilau rice to serve

• In a food processor, blend the blueberries, coriander, garlic, ginger, ground cinnamon, fennel seeds, chilli powder, turmeric, salt and yoghurt to make a purée. Set aside.
• Place the turkey in a deep pan and slowly pour in the yoghurt mixture. Bring to a simmer over a low heat, then simmer, uncovered, for ten minutes, stirring from time to time. Mix through the garam masala.
• Garnish with the extra chopped coriander and serve with pilau rice.
  Recipe taken from bbc.co.uk

TAKE UV ACTION

The UVA in sunlight can trigger a photosensitivity reaction to some antibiotics, diuretics, oral contraceptives and diabetic medicines where the skin becomes red, itchy and inflamed even if you apply sunscreen. Professor Nick Lowe of London’s Cranley Clinic (drnicklowe.com) advises anyone experiencing this reaction to discuss the situation with their GP and, if possible, take their medication in the evening (apart from diuretics) so levels are less during the day.

APP OF THE WEEK

The Essential Parent Company’s Baby Care
‘This free app gives you instant access to expert advice,’ says our mummy reviewer Lucy. ‘It offers 20 short videos on topics including sleeping, feeding, general care and first aid. You can buy more in-depth videos for just 69p each, or buy a bundle from £1.49. The New Baby bundle, for example, has 17 practical guides including umbilical cord care and how often to feed.’ Find the app on essentialparent.com.

AND RELAX…

We store tension in our faces, particularly our jaws, which can be painful and ageing. Simply massaging your face and scalp with your fingertips helps relax muscles and dispel tension. Work in circles over your head from hairline to nape. Then stroke some facial oil (such as Argan Organics Regeneration Anti-Ageing Face Serum, £15.99, from Victoria Health, see above) on your face, working upwards, and see your rosy relaxed reflection beam back at you in the mirror.

WHY KARREN SUPPORTS LIFE AFTER STROKE

Although Karren has not suffered a stroke, in 2006 she discovered she had a cerebral (brain) aneurysm, which put her at high risk of a brain haemorrhage or stroke. The aneurysm was revealed in a routine MRI scan, part of a comprehensive medical screening at the Preventicum Clinic in West London.

‘An aneurysm is a swelling in the wall of an artery. A cerebral aneurysm occurs on one of the small blood vessels supplying the brain with oxygen,’ comments Dr Garry Savin, now the medical director of Preventicum. ‘Cerebral aneurysms can develop over time without any symptoms. If an aneurysm ruptures, it causes a bleed or haemorrhage. This can lead to a stroke and in severe cases can be fatal.’

Karren, then 36, was told she needed to see a specialist immediately. ‘It was a miracle I had managed to survive the physical strain of giving birth to my children Sophia and Paolo [now 16 and 14].’

She was given two alternatives: open brain surgery, where the surgeon places a clip over the aneurysm to seal it, or coiling, where after the precise size, shape and location of the swelling is mapped, a fine catheter is inserted through an artery in the groin and fed up to the brain so tiny metal coils can be dropped into the aneurysm to seal it off from the inside.

Karren opted for coiling, which took five and a half hours of surgery. Now she has regular brain scans. ‘My doctor says the results are as good as they could be. The swelling on the artery has sealed up. But being faced with this made me realise how lucky I am.

‘I’m still at high risk and I know how frightening the condition can be. The Stroke Association is doing great work supporting people affected by it.’

The Stroke Association, tel:0303 303 3100, stroke.org.uk. Preventicum UK Ltd London Centre of Preventive Medicine, tel:020 7605 6900, preventicum.co.uk.

PEDIGREE WOOFAGE

Black labradors Juno and Glue, my canine testers, approve enthusiastically of new Lily’s Kitchen Breakfast Crunch, which offers a vet-approved natural mix that includes chicken and turkey, oats, bananas, apples, salmon oil, probiotic yoghurt and flaxseed. £7.99 for 800g, from Waitrose, organic food shops and lilyskitchen.co.uk.

Re-Connect by Phylia de M

It is exactly a year since we launched Phylia and what a year it has been; as I have written regularly, the feedback from the three step kit, Clean, Condition and Connect, has been completely phenomenal and this includes many testimonials from people who have suffered hair loss or thinning hair through critical illness. Following on from this, we launched Fulphyl late last year, which I wrote about in the last newsletter, so if you missed what I wrote, read here because I believe this is one of the most important health products to have launched in the past decade.
Fulphyl £160 for 360 ml (recommended dosage 5 ml daily)

Before I tell you about Re-Connect, I just need to say that I have waited six months for this product, I have used it (of course!) and although I don’t have any major health issues with my hair, within a few days of using this, in conjunction with Connect, my hair went to new levels of fabulousness; it is healthy, it is glowing and having quite fine hair (but a lot of it), it has never looked so thick and bouncy, which makes me extraordinarily happy. So, let me introduce you to Re-Connect:

In Japanese, there are two words for hair growth: ‘hatsumou’, which means to birth a new hair, and ‘ikumou’, which means to raise the new hair into a full hair fibre. Like the process of raising a child from birth to adulthood, hair must be nurtured and guided to reach its full potential. If neglected, progress can be reversed.

The new Re-Connect treatment features an exclusive, hyper-concentrated version of the Phylia de M formula to help achieve visible hair growth and re-growth. This super serum was designed to work in tandem with the current Connect treatment and helps to activate new growth, while maintaining the strength of existing hairs. While Connect serves as the ‘ikumou’ to detox the nerves, heal the skin and scalp and fortify the existing hair, Re-Connect serves as the ‘hatsumou’ to stimulate the hair follicle and maintain the results of Connect. Existing hair is strengthened and invigorated, while new hair is generated where stress had caused nerve and follicle damage and resulted in hair loss.

Directions: We encourage starting this treatment after using Phylia Connect for at least one month; alternate between the two products each day. After showering, gently towel-dry, part your hair in sections and spray directly onto the scalp and into the hair; there is no need to rinse and it can also be used on dry hair any time for additional treatments.
Re-Connect £60 for 120 ml; Clean £28 for 265 ml; Condition £30 for 265 ml; Connect £45 for 120 ml; Three Step Kit £103

I think it is important here to say that the action of growing hair is an essential mechanism for optimum health. Our hair and scalp protect the network of nerves that surround our skull and brain. Hair helps to draw out toxins such as heavy metals, and when our internal health is in balance (Fulphyl does it for me), skin, hair and nails are growing, looking healthy and playing a part to maintain overall health.

When we are overwhelmed by stress, our hair reflects this imbalance and growth can become stunted. As a result, the toxins normally released as hair grows remain in our bodies, causing further internal imbalance. Phylia de M products work to restore the full function of the follicle again, to keep hair growth healthy and active in its role to maintain total body health.

My final words: I have been in the health and beauty industry a long, long time and Phylia de M is one of the most profound and far-reaching brands I have ever launched. It is exceptional in its integrity, honesty and delivery and I am so, so grateful to Kazu Namise, creator of Phylia de M and to her scientist godfather, Dr Miyayama. This is his life’s work and as ever, I am in awe of his knowledge and research.

Billion Dollar Brows

I have eyebrow envy; I can’t help it, it’s just the way it is. There has only been one occasion when I have had perfectly symmetrical brows and that was a long time ago. I’ve been plucked, waxed and threaded to within an inch of my life and still end up with wonky brows. Stencils, forget it; I don’t want a generic ‘film star’ look and anyway, I can never get them on straight, so I’m either incredibly stupid, or this is a worldwide dilemma, and speaking to the Beauty Bible girls, I tend to think it is the latter.

To cut a very long story short, I first came across Billion Dollar Brows a few years ago in LA, but at that time I was doing other things. Over the years, the products have come in front of me several times, but it wasn’t until I received a phone call from Claire Gardner (VH Addict extraordinaire) telling me she had the best eyebrows in the world that I took another look. If she had perfect brows, then I wanted perfect brows too and let me tell you, I now have THE most perfect eyebrows in the world too, I just can’t believe it and I can’t stop talking about them. I think Shabir would quite like me to shut up, but I’m not going to, so he will have to endure because here comes The Brow Buddy, which is selling massively in America just because it is so clever and so simple:

The Brow Buddy: We can all say goodbye to ‘biscuit cutter’ brow stencils because The Brow Buddy is the ultimate brow shaping tool and unlike stencils, this amazing little gizmo takes into account YOUR facial shape, giving you perfectly symmetrical, beautifully shaped brows. Most eyebrows are either too far apart or too close together; The Brow Buddy solves this problem by showing you exactly where your brows should start. Creating an arch is tricky unless you have the Brow Buddy Tool and by using your unique facial features, this tool takes the mystery out of creating a beautiful arch. Finally a common brow shaping mistake is taking too much off the ends, but The Brow Buddy makes this impossible by showing you exactly where your brows should end.

I could write reams about The Brow Buddy, my new best friend, but all I will say is that I think every girl should have one of these and I can visualize ‘eyebrow parties’ on the horizon, just because it’s good to share. Glamour Magazine (US) wrote that The Brow Buddy is ‘The most genius eyebrow tool ever! Seriously! It gets you perfect, totally, symmetrical brows!’ I agree, of course, and I am following through with the supporting products, which have been tested rigorously and trust me, they win five gold stars from me!
The Brow Buddy £22

Brow Boost: Jump start your brows with this vitamin and protein enriched conditioner, which works to help condition your brows for a fuller, thicker and healthier appearance. Just apply Brow Boost to your brow line nightly; it goes on clear and dries instantly. In trials, most people began to see results within 30 days of use. This formulation is prostaglandin free, which is really important, is fragrance free and the key ingredient is Pelvetia Canaliculata, a form of seaweed that is rich in antioxidants. You can also use this this product safely on your eyelashes.  Just to say that this product will become available within the next 10-14 days, so you can get on the wait list now and as soon as it arrives, we will send it to you (without taking any money from you until the day we process your order).
Brow Boost £25

Brow Duo Pencil: I’m in love with this secret weapon! In America they call it the ‘magic marker’ because of the way the Duo Highlighter illuminates and creates the most beautiful set of eye catching brows. Watch your brows ‘pop’ as you glide the highlighter end of the pencil over your brow bone, directly under your eyebrow for maximum definition. As an added bonus, there is a handy universal concealer on the opposite end of the pencil. This we need!
Brow Duo Pencil £20

Universal Brow Pencil: Once you have achieved the perfect brow shape, you will probably need to ‘dress them up’ with colour, I know I do. Also once you start using The Brow Buddy, there could be gaps in your brows, so they need filling in until the hair grows through. This self-sharpening pencil goes on really smoothly and is good for most hair colours and skin tones. Apply the pencil using ‘hair-like’ brush strokes and blend with the spoolie brush on the opposite end of the pencil. For darker skin tones and hair colours, apply the pencil until you have reached the desired shade; apply less pencil for lighter skin tones and hair colours, blending until perfection.
Universal Brow Pencil £17

Hint of Tint: Hint of Tint is a bold blend of temporary colour is an easy-to-use tube and is the perfect quick fix solution. It covers grey hair in an instant, is water resistant and lasts all day. Using the mascara wand applicator, gently sweep the wand across your brow to add colour and hold. The more you apply, the deeper the colour and it comes in two shades, Blonde for blonde to light brunette colour and Taupe for medium to dark hair colour. Kind of addicted to the dramatic look and am thinking of using Taupe on my eyelashes, just because I can!
Hint of Tint Blonde £20; Hint of Tint Taupe £20

Brow Gel: Lock in the look! Give your brows a long-lasting polished, finished look. This Brow Gel does not flake (most do!) and all you need do is apply with the wand applicator as the last step in dressing up your brows. Voila – eyebrows to die for, well not literally of course!
Brow Gel £17

Color Wow

We launched Root Cover Up by Color Wow in December of last year and this amazing, innovative hair-care product has gone on to become one of our bestselling beauty products, which doesn’t surprise me at all. No more roots ever, because you can cover up dreaded roots and re-growth quickly and easily, with no mess. Root Cover Up not only covers roots seamlessly, but also camouflages re-growth in lightened or highlighted hair. The feedback we have received has been phenomenal; we subsequently launched the Color Wow shampoo and conditioners and now we launch ‘One Minute Transformation’, which lives up to its name and is the latest product from industry renowned product innovator Gail Federici and internationally acclaimed hairstylist, John Frieda.
Color Wow Root Cover Up £28.50 (in four shades); Color Security Shampoo & Conditioners £16.50 each

One Minute Transformation: Known as the miracle styling cream, One Minute Transformation has been formulated to use on dry hair and literally helps re-style your hair in just one minute. It helps transform damaged-looking, distressed hair into liquidy-smooth, silky hair with a healthy looking shine. This lightweight blend of humectants penetrates frizzy, brittle hair to help replace natural oils lost to chemical treatments, blow-drying and daily stress. For a quick fix or re-style, apply to any unruly areas (including bed-head) and brush through, or lightly apply to sections of hair and using a round brush, hit with a blow-dryer for several seconds. You can also apply One Minute Transformation throughout the day to quench thirsty hair and just so that you know, this product does not contain waxes or emulsifiers.

I think this product is going to be enormous because it helps tame frizzy hair and it is so easy to use, whatever your hair type. If you want to see how it’s done, then check out this video, where Kevin Moss, Creative Director at John Frieda UK, reveals all.
One Minute Transformation £16.50 for 120 ml

In-Transit from This Works

A whole lot of you are big This Works fans, so I am about to tell you about a new range called ‘In-Transit’. There are five products in the range and they each offer daily skincare solutions for the long haul, although quite honestly I don’t think there is a requirement to travel in order to use them as the range has been designed to be supportive companions in every facet of your daily life. The products are as follows and just to say, I love the packaging and there is a treat at the end, so please read carefully:

In Transit Camera Close-Up: Love the name; got a suspicion that this may become an iconic bestseller because it freshens up dull, tired skin and is a leave-on mask, moisturiser and primer in one. Delivering hydration and radiance to all skin types and tones, this is being billed as a ‘handbag must-have’ to be used daily or as a top-up whenever needed.
In Transit Camera Close Up £30 for 40 ml

In Transit First Aid: Brilliant in a crisis, this is ideal for life’s little emergencies; a natural anti-bacterial and antiseptic formula in a convenient rollerball tube, this is made with the highest quality essential oils of Lavender, Geranium and Rosewood, delivering quick relief to stings, itches, spots and blemishes.
In Transit First Aid £16 for 10 ml

In Transit Muscle Therapy: This helps relieve muscle tension and headaches with an invigorating aromatherapy blend of Marjoram, Black Pepper and Clover. Again, this is a rollerball and it helps deliver penetrating warmth to aches, pains and stiffness.
In Transit Muscle Therapy £18 for 50 ml

In Transit No Traces: Natural cleansing wipes to remove make-up, cleanse, brighten and balance without the hassle. Suitable for all skin types.
In Transit No Traces £17 for 60 Pads

In Transit Skin Defence: A protective moisturiser with antioxidants and SPF 30 to help defend against the elements.
In Transit Skin Defence £29 for 40 ml

The Treat: Whoever purchases any of the above In-Transit products will have their name entered into an electronic draw and the first three names drawn will receive the gift of all five In-Transit products. This is applicable up to and including 31 May 2013 and the winners will be notified individually by us. This gift is worth £110, so get those fingers tapping on the keyboard. Fun, fun!!

World Foot Health Awareness Month

The month of May has been designated as World Foot Health Awareness Month, so I decided to trot off to Margaret Dabbs, the world-acclaimed podiatrist, to talk all things ‘feet’ and you can read all about it in Gill meets Margaret Dabbs. As many of you may know, Margaret has developed a range of products specifically to help treat feet at home and I am going to tell you about a new product, which has just been added to the range, but as above, please read carefully because there are two treats in this section:
Gill meets Margaret Dabbs

Foot Hygiene Cream: This cream has been specifically formulated by Margaret Dabbs to help address common complaints relating to the skin of the feet. It is a great hygiene measure for sports and sweat prone feet and is suitable for men and women. Effective and quick-acting, the combination of ingredients include Benzoic and Salicylic acids to treat as well as Emu Oil to help promote skin renewal and hydration. This cream also helps eradicate the symptoms of sore, scaly, dry, cracked, blistered skin and discoloured nails and will also help eliminate the symptoms of Athlete’s Foot and odour.

Directions: Use daily for two weeks to help clear up fungal skin conditions and as necessary thereafter should a further flare-up occur. For general foot hygiene, apply Foot Hygiene Cream twice weekly and it can be used alongside other products from the range. Just warm a small amount of cream in your hands and then apply all over the feet and nails. Also do take the time to read the latest feature from Margaret, where she writes about common foot complaints.
Foot Hygiene Treat £18; Common Foot Complaints by Margaret Dabbs

The First Treat: If you buy the new Foot Hygiene Cream, then we will automatically include the Margaret Dabbs Exfoliating Foot Mousse (worth £18), which is an ideal way to pamper your feet. Made from ground Tea Tree leaf and Pumice, this rich, creamy textured mousse will help scrub feet to perfection. It helps remove dead skin build-up and it also hydrates and smoothes skin. This offer is only applicable until midnight on Friday 17 May; this will not show up on your invoice, we will just pop it in with your order, so don’t panic! If you love the sound of this and you want to buy it as a stand-alone, the details are below.
Exfoliating Foot Mousse £18 for 100 ml

The Second Treat: If you buy any product (including the new Foot Hygiene Cream) from the Margaret Dabbs range up to and including 31 May 2013, your name will be entered into an electronic draw and the first three names drawn will receive the ‘Foot Health Pedicure Kit’ which includes cult favourites, Exfoliating Foot Mousse, Intensive Treatment Foot Oil, Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion, Crystal Nail File and the Super Shiner Buffer. This gift is worth £79 and the winners will be notified individually by us. Also do check out Shimmer Bodycare…. the summer months are coming!
Intensive Treatment Foot Oil £20 for 100 ml; Intensive Hydration Foot Lotion £25 for 200 ml; Shimmer Bodycare £23 for 50 ml

NEW Product: Life Drink

Synergy for Life – Drink it in! Deeply nourishing, Life Drink features fresh freeze dried botanicals, concentrated wholefoods and other natural actives. It provides an array of naturally-occurring phytonutrients, micronutrients, balanced protein, enzymes, essential fatty acids and more! I’m not giving up on Fulphyl, Mega-Probiotic or Power of Krill, but this is a great nutritional foundation to start your day

in a powerful sort of way, most especially if you don’t like taking multi-vitamin capsules. Take one scoop daily in juice or mix it into a smoothie. Also do take the time to read Shabir’s article about multi-vitamins, which helps explain the multi-vitamin minefield.
Life Drink £25.75 for 227 grams; Are All Multi-Vitamins The Same?

Whilst we are on the subject of Shabir’s articles, I am now going to write about two new editorial features for this month. Both are very common health concerns and are hugely problematic for so many people. After this section I will return to new product launches, followed by a hay fever report, news and feedback, The Podium and a HealGel gift, in no particular order:

Preventing and Treating Haemorrhoids

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’. 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, typically tend to itch, are painful and can bleed. 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, itching and blood spots.

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

Your lifestyle can have a great influence in keeping haemorrhoids at bay and in this far-reaching article, Shabir talks about his recommendations and then discusses the use of supplementation and topical treatments.
VH Editorial: Preventing and Treating Haemorrhoids; Complete Fiber Cleanse £18.50 for 168 grams; Diosmin Plus £25 for 60 Capsules; Presto Gel £6.95 for 25 grams

Preventing Cataracts

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 onto the retina so that a clear image can be seen. The lens in an eye with a 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 pre-dispose us to cataract formation. These include age, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, high sugar intake, high blood pressure, genetics, diets deficient in antioxidants and exposure of the eyes to excessive sunlight.

In his article, Shabir takes a look at recognising the symptoms of cataract formation and recommends the products that can help this health concern.
VH Editorial: Preventing Cataracts; All Natural Perfectly Balanced £25.95 for 120 Tablets; High Potency Astaxanthin £17 for 30 Softgels; Can-C Eye Drops £39.95 for 10 ml (2 x 5 ml)

More New Products

Onwards we go, more new product releases:

Time Bomb Complexion Cocktail with a shot of Vitamin B12

When you are stressed, exhausted and run down, it can be written all over your face; dull, grey, lifeless and puffy skin can look as tired as you feel, so this new Complexion Cocktail will instantly help re-charge skin for a smoother, plumper and well-rested looking complexion.

The Complexion Cocktail is not a toner or a tonic, rather it is like an energy drink for tired skin that instantly helps replenish the skin. It contains a complex mix of ingredients formulated to give skin back its vitality. Ingredients include vitamins B12, B3 and Brown Algae, working synergistically to re-energise and de-puff. Centella and Ginseng work to help increase micro-circulation in capillaries connected to muscles and cells and all these energising ingredients are blended with a naturally moisturising mix of 12 amino acids and two hyaluronic acids. Just apply with a cotton pad every morning (and whenever else you feel you need it) and give your skin an early morning wake-up call. Alternatively you can decant it into a spray bottle, keep it in your bag (or on your desk) and spritz, spritz, spritz!
Complexion Cocktail £24 for 100 ml

Computer Eye Relief

Clever Similasan for coming up with eye drops specifically formulated for those of us who spend most of our lives in front of a computer screen. These drops help your eyes feel refreshed by stimulating the body’s natural ability to help relieve the symptoms of eye fatigue that may include blurred vision, hyper-sensitivity to light, redness and strained eyes. I particularly like using these sterile eye drops in conjunction with The Eye Doctor eye mask; just put two or three drops of Computer Eye Relief in each eye, put the warmed Eye Doctor mask over the top, which is brilliant for resting and de-puffing eyes and climb into bed and rest for at least 30 minutes. Sheer bliss!
Computer Eye Relief £13.95 for 10 ml; The Eye Doctor £19.95

Famous Dave’s

Three new products from Famous Dave (I always laugh when I type ‘Famous Dave’ – just my random sense of humour – I mean who exactly is Dave!!); however, I love this brand and I also love the packaging on these new products, so I am going to write about two of the products, pause for a treat, and then write about the third, stay with me …..

Tan & Tone Self Tan Lotion: Firming & Toning: The newest glow-getters for 2013 give you a great tan, with added benefits. More than merely a tanner, Famous Dave’s new Tan & Tone Self Tan Lotion also helps firm and tone the skin besides being super-moisturising.

As well as helping to turn skin the perfect shade of sun-kissed, golden brown, this creamy, lightweight, body lotion style tanner contains added plant extracts and moisturisers to help improve the skin’s tone and texture. Free from parabens, artificial colours and fragrances, Tan & Tone goes on white and is applied exactly as you would a body lotion (no mitt required). Exfoliate or dry body brush the skin beforehand and apply the self-tan lotion by massaging into the body in upwards strokes. For best results, leave on for eight hours or more before showering.

Suitable for all skin types, Tan & Tone gives a natural, medium tan that lasts for around one week. We recommend using it in conjunction with Sculpt & Smooth Firming Gel.
Tan & Tone Self Tan Lotion £24.99 for 250 ml

Sculpt & Smooth Firming Gel: Famous Dave (here he is again!) comes to the rescue this summer with the launch of the new Sculpt & Smooth Firming Gel. Whilst we all know that there isn’t a cellulite cream or gel on the market that can actually get rid of cellulite, we can use products that help improve skin tone and texture, and after testing, I need to tell you that this is one of them.

Loaded with a blend of natural extracts and antioxidants, the ingredients include Aloe Vera to soothe, Co-Enzyme Q10 and Juniper Berry to help tone, Horse Chestnut to help promote circulation and Grapefruit extract and Butchers Broom to help fluid retention. Used daily, you will see an improvement in your skin tone and I will just add that it helps if you drink a few glasses of water every day.
Sculpt & Smooth Firming Gel £29.99 for 250 ml

The Treat: To celebrate the launch of these new products, we have an introductory offer for you which will run through until 31 May 2013. Individually these two products cost £54.98, but if you buy them together, they will cost £39.99, a saving of £14.99. This allows you to try both of Famous Dave’s new firming products, which we hope makes you happy. Just click on the link below to access this offer.
The Famous Dave Treat £39.99 (includes Tan & Tone Self Tan Lotion and Sculpt & Smooth Firming Gel)

Famous Dave’s Fast Tan Express Tanning Liquid: Fast Tan Express is the third new launch from cult favourite Famous Dave and it is their fastest tan yet. This innovative tan-and-go self-tanning liquid gives skin an immediate tint of natural looking, moisturising colour that develops to leave a long-lasting tan over the course of an hour.

Perfect for busy people, this special time-saving formula includes fast-acting tan accelerators to speed up development time, so a long-lasting golden glow can be achieved in just 60 minutes. This lightweight, non-sticky formulation absorbs quickly into the skin, drying instantly, while the wash-off guide colour takes the guess-work out of application for the ultimate streak-free finish.

Enriched with Aloe Vera, as well as Vitamins A and E, apply this moisturising tan to your face and body using the Applicator Mitt. If you want a deeper shade, then Fast Tan can be left on longer, but we do not recommend leaving longer than four hours.
Famous Dave’s Fast Tan Express Tanning Liquid £13.99 for 100 ml; Famous Dave’s Tanning Mitt £4.10

Hay Fever

On last month’s newsletter I wrote all about hay fever, together with Shabir’s Hay Fever Regimen. Retrospectively I should have saved it for this newsletter because I doubt whether many people developed hay fever in the snow. I am not going to replicate it here, but will just refer you back to what I wrote and you can read it here. The one thing I will say is that Aller-DMG continues to be one of the best supplements we know to help regulate histamine levels and is brilliant for all forms of allergic reactions.
The Hay Fever Regimen; Aller-DMG by Food Science of Vermont £16.50 for 60 Tablets

Hyaluronic Acid

It is very well documented that I have taken HA for almost ten years and I would cry like a baby if somebody took it away from me. Aside from being the most crucial anti-ageing supplement, in our opinion, HA is extraordinarily beneficial for joints, gums and eyes, so do take time to read the inside story on HA, because it is important to know that it HA is multi-faceted and of course all HA supplementation is not created equally, so it is vital that you take the correct therapeutic dose.
Hyaluronic Acid: The Anti-Ageing Nutrient; Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength £35 for 30 VegeCaps

HealGel

We launched the original Heal Gel (in a jar!) several years ago on behalf of five of the UK’s leading plastic surgeons and over the years this little miracle worker has achieved outstanding success for addressing a wide range of skin problems, including helping to calm eczema and psoriasis, reducing the appearance of scarring and soothing irritated skin.

The evolutionary process of this hero brand saw the release of HealGel Intensive last year (replacing the original), together with two new products, HealGel Face and HealGel Eye, all of which were received to great acclaim. In celebration of HealGel, and all that it is, we have a very special treat for you, so read on:

HealGel Treat: If you buy HealGel Intensive, then we will automatically throw in HealGel Eye, absolutely free (worth £32). This treat will not show up on your invoice, but will just arrive as if by magic! This offer is only applicable until midnight on Friday 17 May, so if you want it, get it whilst you can!
HealGel Intensive £37.50 for 30 ml; HealGel Eye £32 for 15 ml; HealGel Face £48 for 50 ml

News and Feedback

On last month’s newsletter, we launched Renouve, the brilliant anti-ageing hand sanitizer that I have fallen deeply in love with. If you missed what I wrote about it, then you can read it here, but just to say that the feedback has been beyond amazing. I would love to print them all, but it would lengthen this newsletter considerably and you would be reading forever, so this comment from a customer sums it all up rather neatly:

‘I’ve just got my Renouve – I AM STAGGERED – having spent fortunes on hand creams over the years, my hands show my life’s work, this is something else, it lifts, it smoothes and makes them look YEARS younger’. Nothing to add!
Renouve £22 (available in two colours, No. 1 and No. 6 – the product is the same in both!)

This is a good one; we have sold SilvaFresh toothpaste for years. It was (note the word ‘was’) a great toothpaste and it made an appearance in YOU magazine on Sarah Stacey’s Health Notes. We had placed an order well in advance of the press mention, but it didn’t arrive and despite chasing and chasing, we got no response from the manufacturer. The Friday before YOU magazine was published on the Sunday, we discovered that the company had been sold and the toothpaste had been discontinued temporarily (or otherwise!).

There was literally nothing that we could do (except a few thumps on the desk from me) and I sincerely apologise if this is a product that you use. It’s always difficult to deal with the demise of a bestselling product, but in the absence of SilvaFresh, we are now recommending PerioBrite, a natural whitening toothpaste with Co-Q10 and Folic Acid. It is preservative and fluoride free, relieves dry mouth syndrome and daily brushing helps promote healthy teeth and gums.
PerioBrite Toothpaste £5.99 for 113 grams

Yet more love as Magnolia Rhodiola Complex was featured in The Sunday Times Style magazine; well the thing is that it is an outstanding supplement and it helps relieve stress, anxiety and mild depression pretty magnificently. Despite years of research, we don’t believe that there is a supplement available that comes close to the efficacy of Magnolia Rhodiola Complex. Just felt the need to say that, and Sally Brampton, thank you for writing about it.
Magnolia Rhodiola Complex £26 for 60 Capsules

The Podium

So the story here is that I have been to Hastings and I feel a distinct urge to write about it. As you may, or may not know, Jo Fairley opened The Wellington Centre in Hastings several years ago. The centre offers a wide range of health and beauty treatments in an exceptionally beautiful setting; for years Jo has been talking to me about The Wellington Centre and how each of the therapists are experts in their field. A few weeks ago she was telling me about a new Japanese facial, called Ko-Bi-Do, and before you could blink an eyelash, I was in Hastings.

Before anything, just to say that I have had various treatments all over the world (in the name of research of course!) and I am really fussy. I’ve jumped off more treatment beds than I care to think about because I’m prone to panic attacks if I get bored or the treatment is rubbish. The other thing I need to say here is that I went as myself, and not in the name of VH, the treatments were a gift for my birthday from Jo and Sarah and there was absolutely no expectation of me writing about The Wellington Centre whatsoever, but I was blown away and basically I can’t keep my mouth shut.

Ko-Bi-Do is an ancient 14^th century Japanese facial ritual, which was reserved for Japanese Empresses. Today, Ko-Bi-Do is used in Japan to help improve the skin and to help improve the tone, texture, radiance and muscular contours of the face, creating a natural facelift. The process includes a magnificent finger walking technique that is extraordinarily relaxing and effective in helping to remove stress held within the muscles, caused by everyday worries.

It is described as a ‘majestic treatment’ and it is. After a soothing welcome massage, an application of the hand-made Ko-Bi-Do collagen balm is applied and the anti-ageing process begins. I think it is the first time ever that I nearly fell asleep during a treatment, the only thing keeping me awake was the fact that I didn’t want to sleep through and not know what was happening.

Without reservation, I think I can say that this is most intriguing facial I have ever had; the results were so stunning that I kept being asked if I had been under the knife! Karen Dunn, the therapist, is one of only three people in the world who has been trained by the Japanese Master of Ko-Bi-Do and she has a very rare talent, which is so exceptional that I would migrate to Hastings just to be near her.

I also had a massage with Karen and Craniosacral with the equally amazing Caraline Menzies; I was actually staying with Jo and after the treatments I could barely keep my eyes open and I very nearly fell face-first into the dinner that Jo’s husband, Craig Sams, had lovingly prepared for us. I slept the sleep of the dead and I am now so addicted, I have vowed to try and get to Hastings once a month; I am also taking a friend on a day trip because after I wouldn’t stop talking about the treatments, she is beyond desperate to have the same.

Just to wrap, I would run Ko-Bi-Do tours to Hastings, but alas there is only one Karen in the world and The Wellington Centre  Hastings is about a six minute walk from Hastings Station. If you can get there, do, it is so worth it and with my hand on my heart I am not writing this because Jo is a very close friend, I am doing it because this is one of a very few beauty wonders of the world.
TheWellingtonCentre.com; Ko-Bi-Do Facial (one hour) £55; Jo Fairley’s Hastings

VH Editorial

I have already written about several features throughout this newsletter, but just to add that Catherine Turner has written a masterpiece about breathing; she is the consummate professional, her knowledge is vast and I have loved her forever; the Headline Color’s Spy goes behind the scenes to reveal the very latest fashion news; Jo Fairley writes about Tomato Beauty and together with Sarah Stacey, the Beauty Bible girls reveal Summer Legs. I hope you enjoy the read.
Free Your Breath; Tomato Beauty; The Spy; Summer Legs

The Love Crush

Lanolips: Another brand we exclusively launched in the UK, I love everything about this cult brand and Kirsten Carriol, the founder. Lanolips has won so many awards, we have all lost count and it now has an enormous global following, which it richly deserves. Cue the summer months and Lemonaid Lip Aid naturally exfoliates winter lips and you can wear it on its own for a bit of a shimmer; the Lip Ointments with Colour (SPF 15) ‘has the looks and the brains’ and of course the hero will always be Lanolips 101. Check them out, but I love the Rose and Rhubarb Lip Ointments, just so that you know!
Lanolips

Glynis Barber’s Anti-Ageing Yoga Secrets: In this DVD, Glynis Barber, with the expertise of well-known expert, Howard Napper, shares her secrets to natural beauty at any age. This includes three workouts to help you feel fitter, more energised and more flexible, plus a stress-buster relaxation sequence. We quite like the 12 minute yoga workout to help achieve a flexible spine and the 15 minute relaxation sequence. Do try!
Glynis Barber’s Anti-Ageing Yoga Secrets £14

Kiddy Balm: Formulated especially for children and babies from three months of age, this balm can be used by everyone and it offers gentle, but fast relief from varying symptoms including nasal congestion, insect bites, stings and skin irritations. This can be used on sensitive skin and it’s one for the beach bag this summer.
Kiddy Balm £4.05 for 8 grams

Yu-Be: I have known and loved Yu-Be for many, many years, so when I got a phone call asking why I hadn’t listed it on VH, the only answer I could come up with was the fact that I must be dumb! So in a nutshell, a young pharmacist called Yoshikiyo Nowatari first introduced his now famous moisturizing cream to Japan in 1957. His invention was created at the request of a woman long-suffering from dry, cracked skin. With the help of a chemist, he created a glycerine-based moisturizer that would go on to become one of the longest-selling skincare products in Japan and the number one selling medicated, vitamin-enriched cream on the market.

Yu-Be can be used anywhere on the body, it helps heal split cuticles and helps smooth rough, cracked and dry skin; it absorbs instantly and works for hours; camphor soothes irritation and helps stimulate blood circulation to improve overall health of your skin and basically it is fabulous and it is cult. As you probably realise, I have a BIG love of all things Japanese.
Yu-Be Tube £13.50

Finally, before I wrap, I just want to remind you that Shabir and I will be making a guest appearance at The Anti-Ageing Beauty Show on the Beauty Bible stand. Please click here to read all about it and to get your special discount. On from that, I’ve decided that we are going to party hard, so along with the champagne, that I will surreptitiously slip into my bag, Mr Renouve (Denis Borre), will also be with us and I have wonderful visions of him massaging my hands with Renouve for hours on end. Do join us if you can!

So, we have come to the end of another newsletter, so all that remains to say is that I hope you love the new product launches as much as I do; we are on the road to even more fabulousness (if there is such a word) and together with Shabir and the entire VH team, I thank you once again for you incredible loyalty and support. Couldn’t do it without you!

With love

Gill x

Catwalk:

This year marks what would have been the 100th birthday of the “father” of modern fashion photography, Norman Parkinson. To celebrate, the National Theatre is exhibiting a collection of his life work stretching from his war time photography to his later iconic images of beauty icon, Jerry Hall and David Bowie. The vibrant colors in his later photographs are inspiring to say the least – my favorite image is the Girl in the Red Hat – a model sporting a rich red beret and a soft focus, matching red lip (if you could see her nails no doubt they would be painted elegantly in Catwalk!) As for Jerry Hall, well, she would never have been seen dead without a matching red nail and lip in the ‘70s.

Poolside Party:

Coachella, the last word in music festival chic, obviously screams out for a little Poolside Party nails – no better way to cool off an outfit than with some aqua tipped toes peeking through your Miu Miu sandals. You will be the envy of Kirsten, Alexa & Grimmy – no need for VIP tickets (although that would be fun too!) Can’t take the heat (or perhaps more realistically, can’t take the time off…)? Don’t panic – I have a list of stay home London music events that Poolside Party would be the perfect companion to. Snap up your tickets to the see the Electro Swing Correspondents at the Brixton Jam, the annual carnival in South London on 27th April. The lead singer, who I met gigging in Chamonix last month, is notorious for his wild and obscure outfits – turquoise blue fingernails certainly won’t be too much for him!

Spotlight:

Spotlight nail polish I’ll be saving for my nights in front of the footlights this month. April is an incredible month for star-studded trips to the West End. My biggest coup was landing tickets to the Book of Mormon – the most talked about musical of the year (well, discounting Viva Forever of course. Those Spice Girls, they loved their nail polish!). The premier drew more stars than a moth to a flame; the cast of Downton, gorgeous Damien Lewis, Kate Winslet and supermodel Yasmin LeBon (in a Spotlight silver dress I might add…). For those looking for something a little more high brow – how about booking yourself in for a performance of Marcus de Sautoy’s version of Mozart’s Magic Flute at The Royal Opera House? An interactive evening exploring the mathematical and philosophical roots of the opera… I’ll let you know how I get on. The concept may be lost on me, but my fingertips will certainly be looking sharp.

Centerfold:

Recently I’ve been playing around with Centerfold on my toes – the testing zone being my purple yoga mat at the brand new Triyoga Studio at Old Street. No better test of a new shade on your toes than when you’re staring up at them from the bottom of a shoulder stand. After an evening Vinyassa Flow class, I’m planning on settling down into the tan leather sofas around the corner at London’s latest Milk & Honey Bar venture ‘Rotary Room’ with my camel nails wrapped nicely around a flute of a delicious Negroni cocktail. It’s the perfect spot for catch up with a girlfriend, a flick through the beauty pages of Vogue and a debrief on my latest fashion industry secrets (plus it’s not too far from the rooftop pool at Shoreditch house if the weather really is lovely!)

Glamour:

A golden nail calls for a golden roast. The annual London coffee festival, which celebrates the first coffee house opening in London in 1652) is taking place this month and for the price of a small entry fee (or perhaps a press pass…) I’ll be spending a day trying out artisan blends of mocha-frappa-latta-cinos. I might even try my hand at winning gold for the annual Coffee Art Project – all forms of art are accepted from pros and amateurs alike, so long as they bear a tenable link to the humble coffee bean. I strongly believe that gold is for all occasions – why limit gleaming nails to evening attire? After all, nobody likes to see dull nails wrapped around a coffee cup. Look sharp, drink sharp!

So there you have it, my definitive guide to a colorful spring – all of which I guarantee will help you hit the Headlines.

See Collection here.

There is never a good time to pick up an injury, but more often than not it strikes you down just as you’ve begun to start enjoying yourself. You’ve found the motivation to get active; you’ve tweaked your schedule to accommodate regular workouts, you are three weeks into your fitness programme and just beginning to see results when crash, you’re icing your knee, making doctors appointments and seeking out the best physiotherapists. There are endless causes of injury but we’re not writing this to talk about preventions or cures. The focus here is on the psychological stress that comes with injury. The often ignored, but ever-present ugly side effect.

Having recently been in a bike accident that ended with me needing surgery on a broken collarbone I feel in the perfect place to talk about this. It comes as no surprise that I spend the majority of my life being active, whether it’s with clients or by myself keeping fit, so it’s fair to say that this has come as a major blow. I regularly find my concentration slip from the task at hand to feeling frustrated that my latest health and fitness goals are slipping further away with each week, or the fact that day to day annoyances and lethargy cant be worked off in the gym or at the park. The only thing that gets regularly exercised at the moment is my will power to avoid overdoing my rehab or pushing my recovery too hard or too fast.

So what can be done to ease the stress? To answer this we’ve put together four suggestions based on personal and client anecdotal evidence alongside research and science:

1. Goal setting
   It seems obvious but is so often neglected. The road to recovery can be a very long one so it is essential to set lots of short terms goals that help keep the end goal constantly front-of-mind. Keeping sight of what you’re working towards can be a big motivator. Especially through endless monotonous rehab routines and physio appointments. Work with your physio, trainer or a friend to set the goals.
2. Understanding
   Though the physical side of recovery is fully covered by doctors, physios and other professionals rarely are we ever prepared for this mental stress. Simply understanding that recovery is never straightforward will help. The line from injury to fitness rarely goes straight up. Instead it cycles through stages of progress, regression, plateaus and more progress. It’s important to prepare yourself for the times when you’re not making progress. This is where the goal setting becomes so crucial.
3. Take control
   A common emotion that accompanies injury is that of a lack of control. It’s easy to think that we can have little outcome on the speed at which we recover and that we just have to let nature take its course. One great way to seize back control of the situation is to take get proactive, for example taking supplements that aid recovery. Vitamin C, zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium will all play a key role in the healing process. Vitamin C and Zinc aid tissue repair and immune function while Omega-3 has a potent anti-inflammatory response. The health benefits of Magnesium are hard to overstate too. Pivotal to metabolic functioning and a key player in over 300 different chemical reactions in the body, it also supports the parasympathetic nervous system helping our bodies relax.
4. Break the boredom
   Extremely common and adept at sapping motivation, boredom rears its head in nearly all rehabilitation programmes. Rehab by its very nature is repetitive so it’s a good idea to find ways of breaking the monotony. Making a rehab playlist that lasts exactly as long as it takes to do the exercises will help. Varying the places you do the routine is also a good move. For example swap between home, the gym and the pool (aqua therapy is a brilliant place to rehabilitate). 

   Lastly, if you can find a partner to team up with during sessions that we highly recommend that too. The big take-home message here is that it’s easy to be prepared for the physical challenge of recovering from injury. Surgeons, Doctors and physiotherapists are there to guide us through the somatic stages of rehabilitation. Less understood however is the mental toll that accompanies this. To make matters worse, rarely is recovery straightforward or linear. Instead the process involves continuous loops of progress, followed by plateaus, regression and then more progress. Throughout this cycle anger, boredom, impatience, lethargy and frustration all play their role. The key though is to appreciate that injuries will always be accompanied by psychological and emotional stress. It’s all part of the challenge!

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.

Many people resort to conventional treatments which include anti-histamine tablets, which are not without side effects. Fortunately, there are some good supplements that can help people to cope with hay fever and I normally recommend the use of Aller-DMG by Food Science of Vermont.

For adults and children over 12 years, I would recommend the use of Aller-DMG by Food Science of Vermont, take two tablets daily. Containing well researched nutrients, Aller-DMG works to regulate histamine levels in the body, improve respiratory function and ensure that the immune system does not over-react to allergens such as pollen thus helping to reduce the misery of the symptoms of hay fever. Aller-DMG is equally suitable for use against numerous other types of allergies including food intolerances, skin reactions and pet dander.

In children, hay fever is sometimes as much a result of the exposure to pollen as it is genetic. If either parent has suffered or is still suffering from hay fever, then the chances that their children will be prone to suffer from hay fever.  For children between 2 and 12, there are two very good remedies; Alleraide and Nettle Eyebright Formula. Alleraide is a safe natural homeopathic remedy that helps to relieve the majority of the symptoms of hay fever and does not cause drowsiness. Nettle Eyebright Tincture contains extracts of nettle which have a long traditional history of use for the relief of hay fever. Nettle extracts are known to inhibit the release of histamine in the body and their diuretic activity helps to eliminate histamine quickly. Eyebright is one of the best known herbal eye tonics. The astringent compounds in eyebright reduce sinus congestion, weeping and teary eyes and help catarrhal conditions.

Pollen grains from trees, grass and weeds are tiny and these irritants may also be responsible for causing breathing difficulties which often accompany hay fever. Fortunately there is help at hand. The benefits of salt were noticed in the 1940’s when abandoned salt mines were often used as bomb shelters. Those who sought safety in these mines noticed an improvement in respiratory function, particularly easing shortness of breath. The Saltpipe, with salt from the Transylvanian Praid Salt Mine, is a handy inhaler that brings the benefits of salt mine therapy to your home. Its salty microclimate calms the cells of the respiratory system and induces their natural self-cleansing mechanism.

Other supportive products for managing the symptoms of hay fever include A Vogel Eye Drops which contain eyebright to moisturise and refresh dry, tired and irritated eyes. The problem of itchy, irritated and watery eyes is exacerbated in contact lens wearers since dust and pollen can get trapped beneath the surface of the lenses. These eye drops are suitable for those wearing contact lenses.

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.

Recognising the symptoms

The points listed below may be a useful guide in recognising the symptoms of cataracts. If any of the signs below exist then I would recommend a visit to the optician or GP as soon as possible.

Images seen by people who have cataracts may be fuzzy. This is due to the partial clouding of the lens due to protein deposition and it progressively gets worse. Eventually colours may appear to be washed out and a brownish tint appears in all images.

People with cataracts may see a ring of light around images. They may not be able to see well when the sun is shining. Night driving may also become a problem because the glare of headlights may make it too difficult to see.

People with cataracts may look at a person or object and see two instead of one. This symptom does disappear as more protein deposits onto the lens.

Changes in vision are a common symptom of cataracts and often people with cataracts may need new prescription glasses more often than usual.

The eyes of people develop a visible white film over time. This film is transparent and grows over the pupil.

Preventing cataracts

Cataracts can easily be corrected by surgery. This type of surgery is safe and highly effective, however the purpose of this article is to inform you of how to prevent cataracts from developing. To prevent cataracts from forming you need to concentrate on two things: reducing the damage causing compounds, and increasing the level of antioxidants available to the eye.

Antioxidants contained in the food we eat and the supplements we take protect the body against free radical damage. Individuals with cataracts have been found to have low levels of glutathione peroxidise and superoxide dismutase. These antioxidant enzymes are manufactured by our body to protect itself from free radical damage. There is a wide agreement that diets rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C may significantly reduce one’s risk of cataract formation. For many people often with restricted food choices, this is not achievable on a daily basis and hence I would recommend a good food state multinutrient such as All Natural Perfectly Balanced which has a very high antioxidant value known as the ORAC value.

It might be also prudent to take High Potency Astaxanthin. As mentioned above diets rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C may help to protect against cataract formation. As an antioxidant, astaxanthin is 65 times more powerful than vitamin C and approximately 54 times more powerful than beta-carotene and I would recommend its inclusion into any supplement regimen and especially for the prevention of cataracts.

Carbohydrates within our foods are converted by the enzyme alpha-amylase into sugar molecules. These sugars interact with proteins, a process called glycation, resulting in the ageing of the protein structures within our bodies including the eyes and the lens. Researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre on Ageing have found that increasing carbohydrate intake through the diet increased the risk of developing cataracts. Those whose average intake was between 200 and 268 grams per day were two and a half times more likely to develop cataracts than those whose carbohydrate intake was between 100 and 185 grams per day. However since glycation is impossible to stop, you can ensure that your carbohydrate intake is within the limits mentioned above and you can protect against glycation using Carnosine, a thoroughly researched amino acid, takes a “sacrificial hit” and allows itself to be glycated sparing the eyes including the lens from ageing.

Eye Drops for Cataracts

Cataracts result from the clouding of the eye’s lens, which never stops growing similar to your hair and nails. However, lenses grow from the outside in meaning that the cells at the centre are the oldest cells. As mentioned above, the cells of the lens are subject to oxidation when sugars combine with proteins, a process called glycation.

There have been several studies on the use of the natural compound N-Acetylcarnosine (N-AC). One such study carried out by Dr Babizhayev and his colleagues at the Helmhotz Eye Institute in Moscow suggests that the use of a one per cent solution of N-AC applied directly to the eye helps prevent and may reverse the cross-linking of the lens proteins that lead to cloudiness and impaired vision. An Improvement in general vision was reported as earlier as one month after use.

Dr Babizhayev’s report suggests that the reversal of cloudiness starts at the periphery working its way inward. His report shows that over 40% of the subjects involved in the study showed an improvement in the transmission of light and nearly 90% reported significant improvements in glare sensitivity and clearer vision. The improvements were greater in subjects who had their cataracts for less than seven years but even those who had their cataracts for over fifteen years still reported positive benefits.

Dr Babizhayev’s exact formulated product is available as Can-C Eye Drops and if you use two drops daily, then this should last approximately 35 days.

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.

Your lifestyle can have a great influence on keeping haemorrhoids at bay. I encourage people who suffer from haemorrhoids to:

Drink lots of water – water is essential for the proper functioning of all physical and chemical activities carried out within our bodies. Dehydration causes your body to reabsorb water from waste matter causing the stools to harden resulting in excessive straining.

Eat a healthy and fibre-rich diet – your daily diet is a major contributory factor to your wellbeing. Constipation is one of the major reasons that can lead to haemorrhoids. A diet rich in processed foods and foods high in fat leads to constipation and thus increases the likelihood of suffering from haemorrhoids. Fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables add bulk to the stool making it easier to pass through the intestinal tract without putting strain or pressure on the rectal region.

Watch your weight – people who are overweight are more likely to suffer from haemorrhoids. This is because the excess fat in the body puts pressure on all the veins especially those in the rectal region. Obese people should not sit for extended periods of time because their entire body weight puts pressure on the rectal region. Taking regular exercise is important because aside from losing weigh it increases circulation to all parts of the body helping to move blood from the swollen veins in the rectal region. Activities like gentle walks and swimming are preferable because over-exertion can have the reverse effect.

Lavatory habits – do not sit on the toilet for too long because not only are you putting pressure on the rectal veins, you may also strain excessively to pass a motion adding to the pressure that already exists. Go to the toilet as soon as you need to; the longer you delay this the more time the body has to reabsorb moisture from stools causing them to harden.

A little adjustment to your diet, lifestyle and lavatory habits can go a long way to prevent recurrent haemorrhoids.

Supplements and Topicals

As mentioned above, the causal factors for haemorrhoids are predominantly diet and ageing. Refined and processed foods laden with fats are one of the factors as is a lack of fibre in our diets. In the UK, The Department of Health recommends a minimum amount of 18 grams a day from a variety of food sources and yet the average person in the UK consumes approximately 12 grams leading to deficiencies. Increasingly, research points to a figure of 30-35 grams being an optimal amount. It is therefore clear that we should increase our fibre intake and a very easy and palatable form is by way of using Complete Fiber Cleanse on a daily basis. Simply take two teaspoons a day and sprinkle onto food or simply mix with some juice or water. It is vital to ensure that we address our fibre intake deficiency for numerous other reasons which include stabilising blood sugar levels, soothing the inflamed linings in our gastrointestinal tract and inhibiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol and fats thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Whether you suffer from haemorrhoids or not, please use Complete Fiber Cleanse for its overall benefits to the wellbeing of our fragile body.

As we age, our circulatory systems age with use resulting in the fact that the heart has to beat with greater force to move blood around the entire body. Our veins, due to the same ageing process, get narrower, are more fragile and the valves within these veins lose their elasticity. All these factors lead to impeded blood flow, enlarged veins, such as varicose veins, and more prone to haemorrhaging such as those in haemorrhoids. A supplement that I believe to be important in preventing recurrent haemorrhoids is Diosmin Plus. This supplement contains a potent blend of botanicals that work to support the circulatory system through a variety of mechanisms including:

• helping to enhance healthy blood flow in arteries, veins and capillaries.
• maintaining the elasticity and tone of veins.
• diminishing inflammation, the primary cause of capillary fragility leading to haemorrhaging.
• protects collagen and elastin ensuring healthy valve function.

I believe that Diosmin Plus will play a vital role in preventing recurring haemorrhoids especially when diet and lifestyle factors are also addressed. Caution: Do not use Diosmin Plus if you are taking blood-thinning medications.

If you suffer from haemorrhoids, the pain and discomfort can be so intense that you require something that gives you quick relief. The strategies on diets and supplements mentioned above are very important and will help to prevent recurring haemorrhoids however for immediate relief one will require the use of a soothing cream applied externally to the region.

A cream that I have had positive feedback on is Presto Gel. This topical natural gel, suitable for both internal and external haemorrhoids, helps to shrink inflamed blood vessels, stop bleeding and heal any broken skin in the area. Presto Gel works within minutes to soothe skin and ease discomfort helping you to get back to your normal activities.

Anyone suffering from haemorrhoids need not feel ashamed or embarrassed about the situation. It is a manageable health issue that can be solved naturally by addressing one’s diet, lifestyle and by the use of appropriate supplements.

The hygiene cream launch coincides with the celebration by Margaret Dabbs Clinics of ‘World Foot Health Awareness Month’ in May and is a must-have in any bathroom cabinet. It is particularly good for feet that suffer with bouts of Athlete’s feet, or feet that have damaged and discoloured nails. If hygiene is an issue it is an excellent tool as a treatment measure as well as helping to prevent recurrence of the Athlete’s Foot. For sweat prone or sports feet or for people that swim often and can be affected by the chlorine in the water it can be a great help. I have found that it is great for teenagers, and helps to prevent the occurrence of bacterial infections of the skin.

I have found that females especially can be afflicted on the skin of just one foot – with the skin of the other foot being absolutely perfect. This can be the result of medication, injury or illness affecting the circulation, alcohol intake or just purely hereditary.

The one condition that everyone dreads is the fungal nail condition – or mycosis, which can also spread to the skin. It is less common than you think however. From my experience men are more likely to contract this than women, however if you knew how many times patients come to me with the diagnosis of a fungal nail condition, only to find it is actually a bruised nail, nail bed damage, or even simply discolouration from nail varnish or …. fake tan. Believe me, it doesn’t matter that you apply Vaseline to the nails or even that the nails were painted when the fake tan was applied to the body (not even the feet) – it migrates everywhere.

The number of people who are ill – advised about this by their nail technician – is incredible so don’t panic but seek advice to get a true diagnosis – which incidentally can only be confirmed by pathology testing; that is nail scrapings which are examined under a microscope and cultured.

Don’t be talked into having expensive treatments before you are absolutely sure of the diagnosis, and bear in mind if you suffer from eczema for example it can also occur on the feet and under the nails and could be what you are looking at.

Repeated toe nail trauma will also give the appearance of a fungal nail so bear this in mind too.

Often it can be the skin of the feet affecting the nails, and Athlete’s foot or tinea pedis is another well know dread. The good thing is that this can be treated, though once you have had one bout it can flare up at other times, and can be associated with stress.

As we get older the sweat glands of the feet reduce in effectiveness leading to dehydration, when we really do need to re-introduce moisture as without it the skin can crack and fissures appear.

Prevention is better than cure, so do think about doing something before the cracks open as they are really painful, and can be difficult to treat yourself.

These are very common if you suffer with swelling of the ankles and feet, from medication, illness or injury which causes the skin to dehydrate, swell and break.

Hard skin called callus or tyloma on the heels can also crack and give fissures, so don’t ignore these either as once the cracks open not only are they extremely painful and difficult to treat, they can also lead to infection.

Then there is the other end of the spectrum – hyper hidrosis – or bromihydrosis if a bacterial infection is also present with the swelling and the feet smell. It is difficult to control the sweating – which you will be pleased to know does reduce with age – but the bacterial side is very treatable with general hygiene measures. This condition can be acutely embarrassing, and young adults – especially boys can be severely affected.

Then there is the other end of the spectrum with anhidrosis – no sweating. With this condition the skin is very dry and papery and must be replenished with a good, foot lotion that has the ability to be accepted and penetrate into the skin rather than just sitting on top of it. Use the Margaret Dabbs Treatment Foot Oil, followed by the Margaret Dabbs Hydrating Foot Lotion – the products will get to work immediately and the feet will feel less itchy and much more comfortable.

Chilblains – well this winter we have definitely seen an increase in the occurrence of chilblains – or erythema pernio as we foot people know it. It is difficult to self-diagnose and treat and can be acutely painful. Experience shows me that they are more common in females – especially those with fine or fair skin. Circulation also plays a part in this. It has been difficult for people to keep warm and dry and the extremes of temperature are most at root of this problem. Try very hard not to scratch them, and an old wives tale remedy which I have found helps is the juice of an onion with a spoonful of sugar, covered in a bowl and left to ferment for a day or two until the residual juice can be used to apply to the offending chilblain.

For the children, the big issue for the feet is verruca, and the treatments available can be traumatic and in some instances really like it is from the dark ages. Use the Hygiene Cream for a more conservative treatment method, and you will be really surprised as the results with regression of the verruca over the period of a few weeks, and without the tears usually associated with treatment. Pop the cream over the offending verruca and cover with a plaster to allow the area to macerate and the product to treat down into the tissues.