HEALTH NEWS

By LYNNE GULLY

December 2004

If you have an account with Nature’s Sunshine, you should have received the autumn edition of the Horizons magazine in the last two weeks. This health magazine is normally only sent to full account holders but on this occasion it was decided to also send a copy to all registered Preferred Customers.

Try and make time to read the articles in the magazine which cover topics such as degenerative eye diseases, how to stay well this winter by boosting your immunity, how to improve you energy with the amazing SynerProTein drink, quick relief for tension and anxiety, how to overcome sleeping problems and the new acne treatment gel.

If you receive this newsletter then you probably buy Nature’s Sunshine products because you know that you are buying a high quality product made from the finest ingredients. There are many supplement companies to chose from so I’ll just explain the lengths that Nature’s Sunshine goes to, which enables them to guarantee that they are providing the finest quality range of products.

Many companies selling health supplements do not make their own products. It is only when you manufacture your own products that you can govern the extensive procedures needed to make those high standards. Nature’s Sunshine has invested a significant amount of money in state-of-the-art testing equipment to ensure all their products are manufactured to the highest quality standards.

They have a team of specialists who work together to make sure the finest formulas, ingredients and procedures are used and many Nature’s Sunshine products are combinations of ingredients to achieve optimal results. I’m constantly amazed at the cleverness of some of the herbal combinations. I know that when I buy Nature’s Sunshine products that I’m buying the best products available.

I hope that you remain well during the winter months and enjoy your break over the Christmas period.

Tel: 01689 856581 email: lynne.gully@optimumhealth.co.uk www.optimumhealth.co.uk

 High Blood Pressure

So what causes high blood pressure? Three factors are responsible for heart disease:

1.       Atherosclerosis, which is the formation of deposits in the arteries.

2.       The presence of blood clots caused by thick blood.

3.       Arteriosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries.

Any of these conditions can raise blood pressure, putting you at greater risk of thrombosis, angina, a heart attack or a stroke. Stress is also a factor that causes raised blood pressure and should be taken seriously.

In the same way that the pressure in a hosepipe increases and decreases as the tap is turned on and off, the pressure in the arteries increases when the heart beats and decreases in the lull before the next beat. These are called your systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively. The optimal range is a systolic blood pressure no higher than 125 and a diastolic blood pressure no higher than 85, irrespective of age. However, if the arteries are blocked, or if the blood is too thick, the pressure increases. Certainly blood pressure above 140/90 is cause for concern.

So how can you lower your blood pressure?

1. The arteries are surrounded by a layer of muscle and an excess of sodium (salt) or a lack of calcium, magnesium or potassium can increase the muscular pressure. So, increasing your intake of these minerals while avoiding salt can make a substantial difference to blood pressure.

2. Another way to change blood pressure is to thin the blood. Conventionally aspirin is used but vitamin E is four times as effective according to Professor Morris Brown whose double-blind controlled trial of vitamin E at Cambridge University showed a 75% reduction in risk. The Omega 3 fish oils EPA and DHA also thin the blood and, in combination with vitamin E, are much more effective and considerably safer than taking aspirin.

3. The major risk associated with high blood pressure is narrowing arteries caused by atherosclerosis (deposits in the arteries). A number of nutritional strategies have been shown to stop and even reverse this process. The main results have been produced by supplements of antioxidants (vitamins A C, E, and minerals zinc and selenium) and fish oil. Vitamin C also helps to stop arterial tissue from hardening, another cause of high blood pressure.

The Nutritional Approach to Resolving Heart Problems

Angina and Atherosclerosis (deposits in arteries)

• Avoid sugar, salt, foods high in saturated fat, coffee    and excess alcohol.

• Eat a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables, which contain lots of magnesium, calcium and potassium.

• Eat seeds such as pumpkin seeds as a snack between meals to increase the essential fats in your diet.

• Take plenty of exercise within your capacity.

The following supplements are recommended:

·       Mega Chel as your daily multivitamin and multimineral. Stock no 1821.

·       B-complex vitamins as a lack of these are always present in people with heart disease. Stock no 1773.

·       CoQ10 – helps prevent angina. Stock no 1796.

·       Ginkgo and Hawthorn – improves circulation and the Hawthorn herb is wonderful to strengthen the heart. Also helps a poor memory. Stock no 909.

·       Antioxidant Arsenal (Vitamins A, C, E and minerals zinc & selenium with the powerful antioxidant Grapine. Stock no 4033.

·       Omega 3 EPA fish oil or flaxseed oil, which also helps to reduce high cholesterol levels. Stock nos 1609 &1770.

High Blood Pressure

·       Avoid salt. Do not add salt when cooking or on your plate and restrict your consumption of foods with added salt.

·       Increase fruit and fresh vegetables, which are rich in potassium and magnesium.

·       Take a tablespoon of ground seeds (pumpkin and linseed); sprinkle on your porridge or salad as a source of extra calcium and magnesium.

·       Eat poached, grilled or baked tuna, salmon, herring or mackerel twice a week.

The following supplements are recommended:

·       Mega Chel as your daily multivitamin and multimineral. Stock no 1821.

·       Antioxidant Arsenal (Vitamins A, C, E and minerals zinc & selenium with the powerful antioxidant Grapine. Stock no 4033.

·       Capsicum & Garlic with Parsley – helps to lower blood pressure. Stock no 832.

·       SKL (calcium & magnesium) – helps to control heart palpitations or arrhythmias. Essential for heart health. Provides 500mg calcium and 500mg magnesium. Stock no 1806.

·       Omega 3 EPA fish oil or flaxseed oil, Stock nos 1609 &1770.

·       B-Complex or Nutri Calm to control stress levels. Stock nos 1773 & 1617.

Check your blood pressure

If you don't know your blood pressure, visit your doctor to find out. Prevention is always better and much easier than cure. Think carefully before accepting drugs to lower your blood pressure.

Drugs for lowering blood pressure and lowering cholesterol are known as lifestyle drugs. Prescribing these drugs does nothing to address the underlying problem. They simply mask the symptoms in order to allow you to maintain your current lifestyle.

You have to ask yourself if this is a safe or desirable approach as the underlying problem will remain unresolved until a more significant health crisis forces you to change your current lifestyle.

To order Nature’s Sunshine Products – call the Order Hot Line on 08458 40 50 60.