The problem is that often the HPV remains invisible which means that although the virus has altered the DNA structure of the affected skin cell, there is no visible sign on the skin itself and so no warts. As a result, people are unaware that they have HPV but they pass on the virus to others through skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact or intercourse.

The good news is that firstly, the majority of women who contact the HPV virus will have it naturally eliminated by their immune system and secondly, they can be safely tested for a possible HPV infection by a PAP test where the doctor takes cells from the cervix. A positive test can then result in the necessary treatment.

It is obviously very important to treat any visible warts anywhere on your body immediately for your health’s sake. It is also thought that this makes it less likely that you will pass on the HPV virus to others.

It has also been found that a nutrient – folic acid – destroys HPV when given to women with dysplasia (abnormal cells that are pre-cancerous). A prescribed mega-dose treatment comprising b-vitamin folic acid 20 milligrams (NOT micrograms) twice daily along with a nutritional program can be successful in leading to normal PAP smears. Some people have a genetic condition preventing the body from utilizing folate/folic acid and they need prescription treatment with either intramuscular or very high dose oral folinic acid. Methyl-folate is the natural form of folic acid.

According to Heidi Fagley, she writes in her article on HPV and folic acid that:

Folic acid has been found to reduce the severity of the infection and aid the cells in stopping viral replication. All women can support their own systems in preventing cervical dysplasia by simply adding adequate amounts of folate in the diet. If you choose to use a supplemental form of folic acid, please check with a holistic practitioner to find the dose that is safe for your specific situation. Foods rich in folic acid can help support the immune system. Some of nature’s most popular fruits and vegetables that are high in this B vitamin include oranges, cantaloupe, asparagus, avocados, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, brussels sprouts, papaya, cabbage, bananas, peaches, peanut butter, and nuts (soaking and sprouting nuts and seeds enhances digestibility and allows greater absorption of nutritional content).

The raw version of these foods contains higher amounts of folic acid. Cooking can destroy most of this beneficial vitamin, so consuming fruit and veggies in their raw form as much as possible will help increase the amount the body absorbs.

http://www.naturalnews.com/028711_folic_acid_HPV.html#ixzz1lsZPBmRe

You can also reduce your vulnerability to contracting HPV by living a healthy lifestyle and being aware that you put yourself at higher risk for getting HPV:

- When you start to be sexually active at a young age
- When you don’t know the status of your sexual partner or when you have multiple sexual partners
- When you abuse alcohol and nicotine
- When you suffer from other viruses such as HIV or herpes
- When you suffer from stress related illnesses
- When you have a weakened immune system
- When you don’t follow a healthy and nutritious diet

While the much publicized vaccines have recently come on the market, these are highly controversial with evidence of deaths and serious side effects in many young girls who have had the shots. Many experts will advise that you should never have a vaccine that has not been on the market and tested for at least 10 years. It is just too risky to your health and wellbeing. And once you or your daughter has had the vaccine and suffered side effects, there is no turning back the clock.

Easy to spot with its orange peel, puckered appearance of the skin, cellulite is usually found on those areas where fat gathers – namely the thighs, buttocks and abdomen. For some it is in the genes and then they follow the kind of lifestyle that aggravates the condition. While you cannot help the genetics factor, you do have a choice with other causes such as lifestyle, diet, exercise and stress levels.

These are the main reasons for cellulite:

• Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or liver problems.
• Constant stress, that leads to tension in the neck muscles, problems with the vertebrae and inflamed tissue, which is thought to cause cellulite at the back of the neck. Prolonged stress and the associated surge of adrenaline can also lead to increased fat storage in the stomach, hips, buttocks and thighs.
• Cellulite in the upper arms and legs is common in older women and this is thought to be partly caused by impaired vein systems in the arms and legs while surprisingly too much leg exercise can lead to cellulite appearing on the front of the thighs.  Aging plays a big role in cellulite formation.
• There is a septae structure under the female skin which is very fibrous and mesh-like making it prone to trap fat cells.
• The female hormones estrogen and progesterone – while the former encourages fat cells to develop and grow around the breasts, thighs and buttocks, the latter can lead to fluid retention, weak veins and weight gain.
• Pregnancy is a time of drastic change in the body including fluid retention and a surge of hormones while the growing uterus can also affect circulation and lymph drainage. Plus any cellulite problems will usually worsen with each successive pregnancy although the good news is that breastfeeding is very beneficial in reducing cellulite.
• A sedentary lifestyle means little or no muscle contractions and a strong possibility of weight gain. If you are overweight or obese, you will be more prone to cellulite plus any fat accumulation will also push the existing cellulite upwards so that it is more noticeable. Please take note that crash diets are particularly harmful because they lead to the body wanting to store fat.
• Cigarette smoke is damaging to vein and capillary walls causing inflammation and leaking, while nicotine itself can affect your circulation.
• Highly processed foods, artificial sweeteners and other additives build up toxins in the body and ultimately, cellulite.

So here are 7 natural ways to combat cellulite:

1. Make a warm drink to take each morning on an empty stomach by mixing 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of warm water. Add a small amount of honey as a sweetener.

2. Coffee scrub is made by simply mixing a handful of ground coffee granules with some olive oil and then massaging the affected areas of cellulite with it.

3. A gentle apple cider massage treatment could help to reduce the appearance of cellulite when you mix 3 parts apple cider vinegar with one part of your favourite massage oil. Then gently knead this solution onto affected skin areas twice daily.

4. H-Cellulite from Healing Natural Oils fades and reduces the appearance of cellulite through improving the texture and tone of the skin, moisturizing the skin and then sealing in that moisture. Specially formulated with essential oils, the product is safe and gentle to use.

5. Physical exercise like walking or swimming, and even yoga, are all effective ways to control stress and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Exercise for 20 minutes a day, 5 times a week. This returns your body chemistry to a balanced state in which cellulite is less likely to develop. When you take up yoga, it whips your leg muscles into shape but it can help smooth spongy thighs too. Cellulite is a symptom of reduced lymph circulation, and yoga helps lymph flow more freely through fatty areas, flushing toxins and reducing cellulite.

6. Think about using a mini trampolene to make you fit, tone your body, assist with weight loss, boost your lymphatic system, detox your body, boost your immune system and help get rid of cellulite. A gentle bounce is used to warm up and end your session.  Your feet remain flat on the mat, your hands either on your hips, by your side or holding onto a support bar and you bounce very gently while you breathe consciously and steadily.  Your “zone” is a bounce you slip into without even thinking about it. Remember to slow right down at the end of a session, first to a gentle bounce and then a standstill before stepping off. Then have plenty of water to flush out all the toxins and to rehydrate your body. An extra special tip for cellulite is to tap or slap the affected areas as you breathe and bounce.

7. Finally, include these fresh foods in your new healthier way of eating because they are particularly good for combating cellulite: asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, pears and cucumber.

Nail polish, polish removers and artificial nail products contain a host of toxic chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer, reproductive harm, asthma and other negative health effects.   But at least some nail polish manufacturers have now reformulated their products to remove the “toxic trio” of  ingredients: namely, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene.

1. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) adds flexibility and a moisturizing sheen, and helps dissolve other cosmetic ingredients. But the downside is that it is a a reproductive and developmental toxin that has been linked to feminizing effects in baby boys.

2. Toluene helps suspend the color in nail polish and form a smooth finish across the nail. But it also affects the central nervous system and can cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue. It is thought to be a possible reproductive and developmental toxin.

3. Formaldehyde is found in some nail products such as nail hardener and is a well known human carcinogen. Plus it is an irritant to the eyes, nose and throat, possibly leading to skin irritation and an allergic rash called dermatitis or eczema.

In addition to the toxic trio, nail care products can also contain a host of other toxic chemicals, including organic solvents like xylene, methyl ethyl ketone and acetone, as well as acrylic polymers such as methyl methylacrylate and ethyl methylacrylate.

But do not despair, there is a safer alternative to nail polish and it is called nail buffing which can create an attractive and smooth sheen to your nails while helping your nails grow stronger and longer because of increased circulation.

Here is how to nail buff.

Equipment:

- Medium to fine buffing block
- Fine to superfine buffing block
- Chamois leather
- Beeswax

Method: 

1. Take off that old nail polish for the last time using your existing bottle of nail polish remover before conditioning your fingernails with a good quality natural cream or oil while pushing back the cuticles. Then file your fingernails carefully to the desired shape.  At the same time look out for any signs of nail fungus.

2. Stroke each fingernail a few times with a medium/fine buffing block to take off any ridges on the surface. Be extra careful not to buff too long or too hard because of the risk of thinning out the fingernail, weakening it and making it vulnerable to injury or infection.

3. Stroke each fingernail with a fine/superfine buffing block to shine them. Go in one direction only. This is to make sure you don’t move the buffing block back and forth over the fingernail so quickly that you cause damage without realizing it.

4. Shine your fingernails with a small piece of chamois leather. If you wish, you can use a buffing cream or a little beeswax to give your fingernails a high sheen.

5. Your fingernails will look natural and attractive so you can now skip that nail polish with its toxic chemicals which you would absorb through your nails and your skin. Apart from any toxic and harmful ingredients, polish remover dries out and ultimately damages your fingernails.

Just one word of warning – don’t use the buffer for smoothing out ridges on your nails more often than once a month. You can buff the nails themselves as often as you like as long as the product is minus any abrasives.

Women are well aware of mammogram but perhaps not so of thermograms. And yet, thermograms are safer, painless, more efficient and don’t radiate you. Sadly, mammograms expose your body to doses of radiation that can even be up to 1,000 times greater than that from a chest x-ray. And remember that this x-ray techonogy is cumulative so it builds up in your tissue. Thermography, using a different method, sees the “heat” generated by any developing growth long before it shows up as a palpable mass.

Here are some interesting differences between the two:

-  Mammograms have an increasing percentage of false positives even after beginning at 10% while thermography has a constant false positive possibility of only 5%.

-  Mamography detects cancer sites that can usually already be detected by touch while thermography detects possible cancer far before mamography – typically 12 months earlier.

-  Mammography detects anatomic or structural changes like tumors and cysts while thermography detects physiologic or actual functional changes. Physiological changes ALWAYS come before anatomic changes. Therefore, thermography offers an opportunity for early detection, intervention and prevention.

Check the pictures that show progressive cancer growth via thermography, and notice when there is a first detection via mamography: http://thermographyarizona.com/about_thermography.html

In his article on the dangers of mammograms which you can find at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/05/mammograms-only-occasionally-save-lives.aspx?e_cid=20120105_DNL_art_3 Dr Mercola makes these points regarding mammograms:

 ”Only about 1 in 8 women whose breast cancer was identified during a routine mammogram actually had their lives “saved” by the screening, a recent analysis estimated – and this does not accurately account for how many women will fall victim to mammogram-induced breast cancer.

Many of these tumors would have grown very slowly, if at all, and never would have threatened or decreased the quality of the woman’s life.

Many invasive breast cancers “spontaneously regress” when left undiagnosed and untreated, according to new research published in The Lancet Oncology.

X-ray mammography uses a uniquely harmful type of ionizing radiation which has been linked to the development of invasive breast cancer.

The intense push for breast screenings has many women believing, falsely, that the technology actually “prevents” breast cancer, distracting them from other, truly preventive and effective strategies.

Medical Insurance – right now medical insurance does not pay for thermography in the US but if enough women stop using mammography and used only thermography, insurance companies would eventually come around to a new way of thinking.  It would save such insurance companies a lot of money in the end. At the moment the cost of a thermogram appears to vary between $150 and $200.

You can find your nearest thermography clinic in the US by checking out these sites - naturalhealthcenter.mercola.com/services/thermography-listing.aspx or www.ACAM.org

In the UK, where thermography is less well known and clinics few and far between, there is a another form of screening recently arrived on the scene. MARIA is the name of pain-free radio-wave 8 seconds breast scanner. This woman-friendly more reliable system might be the future of breast screening in the rest of Europe too. For more information, here is a site to check out  www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2068870/The-second-scan-detect-brea.

Unfortunately mammograms have become part of the pink ribbon campaign and very much a multi-billion dollar industry. In spite of the questions of safety, the pain suffered from women who undergo this degrading procedure and the lack of efficacy, mammograms continue to be touted as the screening method of choice by the medical community.

Thermography is an excellent alternative to a mammogram using infrared imaging to screen for breast cancer so that all exposure to radiation is eliminated.

Sometimes we might have a persistent symptom and many times we are able to resolve what is causing this symptom and treat it accordingly. But there are a few symptoms in women that really do need further and medical investigation. Find out below which are the five common symptoms in women that you should definitely check out and not neglect however busy you are:

1. Abdominal pain and/or bloating as well as a change in your bowel movements. Any of these three symptoms when persistent can be a sign of something more serious. Examples are colon cancer, ovarian cancer, Crohn’s disease and ulcers. They can also indicate inflammatory bowel syndrome, certain food intolerances or a condition known as diverticultis which occurs when the small pouches that bulge outwards in the colon get infected. Diverticulitis can usually be treated by antibiotics but in some cases may require surgery. If any of these three symptoms persist, it is wise to make an appointment to see your doctor.

2. Feeling constantly tired or suffering from fatigue is unfortunately a common state in women especially when they are mothers of young children or having to work full time while running a home and looking after a family. It seems to come with the territory. But even though it is so common, that does not make it right. Lack of sleep and having too much to fit into the day lowers your immune system while making you more susceptible to infections and viruses. So please address this if you possibly can. Should low energy and exhaustion be a daily problem and continue for more than two weeks, please make an appointment to see your doctor to get to the cause as acute fatigue can be a sign of more serious problems such as hypothyroidism, anemia, sleep apnea, lung cancer or even heart disease.

3. Lumps in the breast (as we all know from the many breast cancer awareness campaigns) can be a warning sign that something needs to be investigated. Everyone should carry out regular breast examinations in order to detect any changes. According to the experts, potentially cancerous lumps usually feel like small stones or rocks in your breast while non-cancerous lumps are typically more tender and change with your menstrual cycle. Please be aware of the modern thinking regarding the lack of effectiveness and even danger of using mammograms. Thermography is growing quickly as an alternative and safer method as well as being a far superior diagnostic tool. Thermogrpahy can spot a tumor growth up to ten years before it becomes visible in a mammogram, and thus giving a woman time to make such lifestyle changes to enable the body’s own defences to attack and destroy irregular cells.

4. Sudden weight gain can be puzzling if you are living the life you normally do – with the same eating habits and the same type of exercise. You may have noticed that this weight gain is all in the abdomen and feels morpe like fluid than actual fat. Once again, it is advisable to be checked out by your doctor because such an unexplained weight gain can be a sign of olycystic ovarian syndrome, liver disease, ovarian cancer or hypothyroidism. By the same token, sudden and unwarranted weight loss can also be a cause for concern and a symptom of an underlying medical disorder. Your body weight is determined by your calorie intake, overall health, age, nutrient absorption and other factors. After you reach middle adulthood, your weight should remain relatively stable from year to year, although a decrease of a few pounds is rarely cause for concern.  However, unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) or more, weight loss of more than 5 percent of your body weight, or persistent weight loss should be investigated. Some of the conditions that could be causing such weight loss include: Addison’s disease, cancer, celiac disease, COPD, Crohn’s disease, dimentia, major depression, diabetes, heart failure, HIV/AIDS, hypercalcemia, an overactive or underactive thyroid, Parkinson’s disease, peptic ulcer, TB or ulcerative colitis.

5. Pelvic pain during sex is not normal and if it happens during deep penetration, it could indicate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, an ovarian cyst or cervicitis (an infection of the cervix). Pelvic pain upon entry usually means a vaginal infection or a hormone deficiency. Any untreated infection can lead to infertility. So if you are suffering from any type of pelvic pain during sex, please have this investigated by your doctor.

This post is not written in order to alarm you or to make you think you must go rushing off to the doctor for the slightest thing.  Far from it as I like to encourage people to use natural remedies and products whenever and wherever possible in order to avoid unnecessary and expensive procedures and pharmaceuticals along with their serious side effects.

There is much to consider.

Manufacturers of sanitary pads and tampons are not legally required to provide the ingredients in their products. They do not have to list any chemicals used in the manufacturing process. In the search for ultimate “protection”, manufacturers have not always protected the user from the product itself.

Sanitary products are used to absorb a waste product from females but what in turn are women absorbing from their feminine hygiene items and right back into their blood stream? The vaginal area is especially absorbent and vulnerable.

Some sanitary products are not made from cotton but from rayon, viscose and cellulose wood fluff pulp. These are all tree-derived materials made up of fibers.

Synthetic tampons and pads contain dioxin and chlorine disinfection byproducts.

Sanitary pads (along with panty liners and nursing pads) are made from 90% plastic which is derived from crude oil.

The use of synthetic fibers and toxic chemicals can lead to allergic reactions when in contact with delicate tissue.

Tampons can create the ideal conditions for bacteria growth and can even lead to toxic shock syndrome or TSS which is a potentially life threatening condition.

What are the alternatives?

Eco-friendly and safer sanitary napkins are available that are advertised as 100% safe with no chemicals. The materials used are natural and the product is biodegradable. They also come with a negative ion tape embedded which is said to release a high concentration of negative ions, proven effective in killing bacteria. Such products are available from http://safe-intimate-care.com/

Natracare is a company that makes and sells all organic feminine care products such as tampons, night time pads, regular pads, pantyliner, maternity pads and nursing pads. These feminine products do come in all different sizes and are made using 100% cotton and the cotton isn’t dyed or bleached. The cotton is cleaned by using all natural hydrogen peroxide. Natracare feminine products are also very affordable (costing around five to six dollars per product). They are also very absorbent, keeping you dry and smelling fresh all day long. These products are available from http://www.ediblenature.com/

Another range of products is made from pure organic cotton. Organic cotton is made without the use of toxic fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers and all those other baddies that we need to worry about. The good news about organic cotton is that it is not “Big Business” so when you support companies that use organic cotton in their production, you are helping to support the family farms that grow organic cotton. It is said that once you change to pure cotton feminine products, you will never want to go back to the old synthetic ones. They will feel so much more comfortable against the skin, allowing it to breathe; they are compatible with your body’s pH; they are hypoallergenic; and they have a natural absorbency. These products are available from www.mercola.com.

A product that is completely different to the conventional pads and tampons is the Mooncup (or MCUK as it is known in the US). The Mooncup is described as smarter sanitary protection and is a reusable menstrual cup, around two inches long and made from soft medical grade silicone. It is worn internally (a lot lower than a tampon) but, while tampons and pads absorb menstrual fluid, the Mooncup collects it. This means it doesn’t cause dryness or irritation, and also that it collects far more (three times as much as a ‘super-absorbent’ tampon). Because the Mooncup is reusable, you only need one so it saves you money and helps the environment, too. The initial cost is obviously higher than buying a few packs of tampons but it will pay for itself over and over again. The people at Mooncup believe it has the potential to greatly improve women’s experience of their periods, as well as reducing the environmental damage caused by the manufacture and disposal of throwaway sanitary protection. Made from soft medical grade silicone, the Mooncup is latex-free and contains no dyes, BPA, toxins or bleaches. Such products are available from http://www.mooncup.co.uk/

However, if you decide to continue using conventional feminine hygiene products, there are certain steps you can take to limit the risks:

-  Choose lower absorbency tampons over super absorbent types.

-  Don’t just use tampons during a period but alternate with sanitary pads or mini pads where possible.

-  Use an overnight sanitary pad at night time instead of inserting a tampon.

-  Avoid tampons that come with a plastic applicator as these can scratch your vaginal lining.

-  Do not be tempted to use a tampon between periods.

-  Always change tampons at frequently as possible (at least every 4 to 6 hours).

Safer to go green or change to more natural products while staying away from the conventional, harmful and unhealthy ones.

1. Avoid processed foods which are minus the nutrients you need and often full of refined salt. Refined salt saps calcium from the bones, weakening them over time. But refined salt should not be confused with natural salt which is essential for life (you cannot live without it ) but it must be natural and not processed salt.

2. Avoid those sodas and soft drinks which have a two-fold danger for bones as the fizziness in carbonated drinks often comes from phosphoric acid (which ups the rate at which calcium is excreted in the urine) while the soft drinks themselves are full of high fructose corn syrup and/or sugar and absolutely no nutrients.

3. Avoid alcohol or limit to just one drink a day. Alcohol prevents the bone-building minerals you eat from being absorbed while heavy drinking disrupts the bone remodelling process by preventing osteoblasts (the bone-building cells) from doing their job. So another two edged sword – bones become weaker and should you suffer a fracture, alcohol can interfere with healing.

4. Avoid too much caffeine and of course smoking is a definite “no no”.  Both caffeine and cigarette smoking can reduce the absorption of calcium.

5. We have all been told that we need calcium for our bones. However, calcium is only one of many minerals required and it needs to be in balance with other minerals. Calcium on its own is a hardening agent which by itself is not good. Yes, it will give a greater density to your bones but it is a hard brittle density and brittle increases the risk of fracture. Calcium is also one of the agents responsible for hardening of the arteries. In simple terms, arteries become inflamed, cholesterol appears and tries to heal the inflammation but then calcium deposits on the cholesterol. So when taking calcium supplements, they must be in balance with other nutrients and magnesium in particular.  Ideally, take magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K2, a small amount of calcium and 3mg of boron daily.

6. Vitamin D is very important for bone health – either naturally from plenty of sun exposure or through supplementation in the form of vitamin D3. While protein and sodium boost the amount of calcium excreted in urine, vitamin D will reduce the amount excreted in urine.

7. A daily helping of bone broth is one of the best ways to build bones (and heal the gut) because all the minerals are absorbed and utilized. Here is a recipe for bone broth kindly supplied by a friend of mine.  She has a cupful every day and, along with high dose magnesium, raw milk kefir, vitamin K2 and vitamin D3,  has reversed her osteoporosis.

A crockpot or big pot on stove
Plenty of bones to ¾ fill the pot (beef bones are best roasted first)
1 T natural sea salt and other seasoning to taste
4-6 cloves garlic
1 onion quartered (add onion skin if using poultry bones for improved color)
2 T apple cider vinegar
Method – add enough filtered water to completely cover bones and allow to sit for 1-2 hours so that the apple cider vinegar can pull the minerals from the bones. Bring to the boil before turning to low.  Simmer for at least 12 hours for poultry, 24 hours for red meat bones.  Skim off any scum, strain and use.  When cool, the broth will be like jello.

8. Other good foods to build bone health are prunes (dried plums), onions and sage. You might want to add some raw onion to your salads and some cooked ones to hot meals. Sage (which is a herb) should be used sparingly otherwise it will give off a pungent odor and add a musty taste to your food. Probably the best way to take sage is to add a few leaves to your cups of tea every day. Bananas are another helpful food as the potassium found in bananas neutralizes any excess sodium in some people’s diet, allowing for healthy amounts of calcium to remain within the body.

9. Instead of pasturized dairy, change to raw milk, cream, butter and cheese if you can.  Studies have shown that populations that have a high intake of pasturized dairy products also have the highest rate of osteoporosisI like.   Raw is so much better than pasturized because  the enzyme phosphatase, which is needed for calcium absorption, is destroyed with pasteurization.   If raw dairy is not available, fermenting is an alternative.  For example, kefir or 24 hour fermented yogurt with pasteurized dairy will  restore some enzymes and enhance calcium absorption.

10. Researchers have found an important reason to exercise as working out triggers influential stem cells to become bone instead of fat, improving overall health by boosting the body’s capacity to make blood. The body’s mesenchymal stem cells are most likely to become fat or bone, depending on which path they follow. For more on this research http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110901112531.htm#.Tl_98uuy2Ek.facebook

Most experts advise that while some foods improve bone density, any program to reverse bone loss should also include exercise and possibly some supplements for increasing bone mass. If you actually have osteoporosis or osteopenia, it is wise to cut back on acid forming foods and increase alkaline foods.

They include anal skin tags, groin skin tags and vaginal skin tags.

Anal skin tags in particular can differ from normal skin tags as they are often the result of another condition called an anal fissure, which is a small tear in the anus caused by a hard stool. During the healing process of this tear, the anal skin becomes uneven and the result can be an anal skin tag. They can also develop following hemorrhoids as the tissue-swelling (associated with the hemorrhoids) may extend to the anal skin. One of the differences between anal and other skin tags is that they can be itchy or painful. They can also cause hygiene problems because fecal debris may become trapped beneath an anal skin tag. If there are many anal skin tags, the problem multiplies and could lead to infection.

There are many different treatments available for anal skin tag removal:

- Cryotherapy which is when your doctor freezes off the skin tag using liquid nitrogen.

- Surgical excision where an anal skin tag is cut off under surgical conditions with a local anesthetic to dull the pain.

- Electrocautery which is a suitable treatment for large skin tags where the tag is cut off and the skin electrically cauterized to close the wound.

- Laser treatment which can be used on anal skin tags rather successfully and the whole anal area is re-surfaced at the same time which is a bonus.

Any surgery in the anal area, however small, may cause some post-operative pain.

- Anal and other skin tags can be successfully treated with essential oils. Healing Natural Oils provides just such a safe, gentle and successful treatment.

It is not recommended that you use any over-the-counter products for the removal of anal skin tags, as well as other skin tags in the groin area, as these are too harsh for the sensitive genital area.

Although groin and vaginal skin tags are harmless and benign, many people become upset at their appearance and worry about them being something more sinister. Understandably, they are also often concerned and even embarrassed about what their partner will think. In addition, because the genital area is moist and the skin often sensitive and tender, such skin tags can be easily irritated, chaffed, infected or injured by rubbing against underwear or from friction during sport, exercise or sexual activities. Skin tags have their own blood supply so will bleed if injured. Skin tags in the vaginal area are more vulnerable during menstruation because they start to swell during this time before returning to their normal size at the end of a woman’s period.

Fortunately, it is easy to remove skin tags.

So it is usually a good idea where there are anal skin tags or skin tags in the groin area (including the vagina) and particularly on the penis itself, to have them removed both for reasons of comfort and to avoid any anxiety for your sexual partner. The easiest time to treat them is when they are small. The important thing is to choose as safe and painless a method of removing your skin tags as possible whatever size they are and wherever they occur.

Skin tags are not contagious – they are simply a common skin abnormality. The medical name is Ancrochordons or Cutaneous Papilloma.

More common in women and after the age of 40, skin tags can also be genetically passed on; are often found in the overweight or obese; can be a sign of the presence of diabetes type 2 and of insulin rejection; are sometimes as a result of chaffing and irritation when skin is constantly rubbing against other skin; and perhaps noticeable during pregnancy when hormones start reacting in a different way. Approximately 50% of the adult population are likely to develop skin tags for one reason or another and usually when they reach middle age.

Another cause of skin tags is the use steroids as this interferes with the body and muscles, which in turn can affect the skin causing the collagen fibers to bond in such a way that skin tags are formed.

When skin tags first appear, they are small and you can easily twist them. This is the ideal time to treat them of course, especially if you don’t like the look of them or they get in the way. It is easy to remove skin tags.

-  Your doctor can freeze them off using liquid nitrogen.

-  Your doctor can cut them off under surgical conditions with a local anesthetic to dull the pain.

You are probably wondering if this process will hurt? As there are nerve endings in the skin tag, you will feel a strong stinging sensation. You will also question if a skin tag will bleed? A skin tag has a blood supply in order to survive. Therefore with these methods, you may expect some bleeding. Also, both these methods although effective can be painful and even leave a small scar.

-  You can remove them yourself at home with an essential oils product from Healing Natural Oils without the risk of pain, bleeding or scarring.

Never try to remove skin tags by snipping off with a pair of scissors as this can be very risky and dangerous because of the chance of infection and bleeding as well as mistaking the skin tag for some other kind of skin growth.

Very seldom, skin tags can be an indication of a rare disorder called Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome in which there are multiple non-cancerous tumors of the hair follicles, particularly on the face, neck and upper chest. This condition typically emerges between the ages of 20 and 40. Sufferers have an increased risk of developing kidney tumors, either cancerous or non-cancerous as well as tumors in other parts of the body. Cysts may form in the lungs and then air may collect in the chest cavity, sometimes resulting in a collapsed lung. I would emphasize again that this is a very rare disorder.

If you are at all unsure about whether you have skin tags, make an appointment to see your doctor or a dermatologist so that they can make a definite diagnosis. It could be that you have another skin condition which might need different treatment. For example, moles, warts or general skin damage from the sun or from toxic chemicals.

In fact, silica is one of the most important constituents of the body’s connective tissue. Bones need silica to re-calcify and to strengthen bone tissue. Silica is a precursor to calcium and the body coverts silica into calcium as it is needed.

We have all heard about osteoporosis and how it is a symptom of the aging process. As calcium in our body system leaches, our bones become brittle and weak. Taking only a calcium supplement cannot correct or stop this threatening and crippling disease because the body cannot assimilate and make use of the calcium without the presence of silica. Evidence suggests that, instead of affecting healing, supplemental mineral calcium, on the contrary, accelerates the leaching away of bone calcium and thus hastens the degenerative process of osteoporosis and similar diseases that affect the supportive and connective tissues in the human body. Magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin K along with silica are all important pieces of the calcium puzzle in building healthy bones.

For osteoporosis, silica can stop the pain and even restore the body’s self repair process. Osteoporosis symptoms attack women primarily after menopause but the degenerative process starts much earlier in their younger days. Many women actually die of fractures caused by osteoporosis. In order to help remineralize damaged bones by depositing minerals (and especially calcium) into the bones as well as to heed up any healing of fractures or reduce scarring at the site of such fracture, it is recommended that a sufficient silica supplement be taken daily.

But apart from supplements, from where do we get silica?

Good sources of silica are vegetables such as:

-  Cucumbers
-  Bell peppers
-  Tomatoes
-  Beetroot
-  Brussel Sprouts

if you can eat these raw rather than cooked, all the better.

The best source of silica is horsetail (proper name eqisetum arvense). Horsetail is also rich in calcium and several other minerals needed to rebuild injured tissue and is also very helpful in the healing of various forms of arthritis. It is also a good remedy for recurrent calcium urololithiasis which is the condition where urinary calculi are formed or located anywhere in the urinary system.

Nettles are another source of silica while wholewheat, oat straw, alfalfa and raw cacao are further good sources.

There are so many health benefits, as set out below, when you have sufficient levels of silica, making it important to eat the right things and to take a supplement if needed.

• Silica fortifies blood vessels to help guard against the effects of coronary disease.
• Silica aids in the repair and maintenance of vital lung tissues while defending them from pollution.
• Silica has positive effects on the lymphatic system as it decreases swelling.
• Silica assists in the prevention of kidney stones and can also heal urinary tract infections, being a natural diuretic.
• Silica is helpful in averting or clearing up both diarrhea and constipation – that is normalizing bowel movements.
• Silica can also assist in normalizing hemorrhoidal tissues, while lessening lower back pain.
• When inflammation of the middle ear is a problem, silica helps in the treatment.
• Silica may normalize circulation and regulate high blood pressure.
• Silica improves elasticity of the joints leading to better mobility as well as helping with the pain of osteoarthritis and and rheumatism.
• Silica may stimulate cell metabolism and division while delaying the ageing process.
• Silica beautifies hair and regenerates skin.
• Silica may assist in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting the body from absorbing aluminum and may flush out aluminum from the body’s tissues.

1. Reducing or cutting out your sugar consumption. It has been well documented that sugar is an excellent “cancer food” so it is wise to reduce to a maximum of 6 teaspoons of sugar per day from all sources. Added sugars masquerade under a variety of  identities including beet extract, cane juice, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose (table sugar), dextrose, lactose, cane syrup, glucose and fruit-derived sugar. The obvious culprits such as candy, cake, cookies and soda are easy enough to avoid or limit but there is sugar in almost all packaged food including ketchup and canned fruit. And very importantly, any sugar you do consume should be brown, unrefined sugar because white, refined sugar is bleached with chlorine bleach (a substance that many people are sensitive to). Chlorine when combined with organic compounds converts to dioxin, a lethal chemical. If you really cannot give up sugar, then Stevia is a safe and natural alternative. Along with sugar, do your best to avoid artificial sweeteners (the word artificial should alert you to the dangers of artificial sweeteners), white bread/bleached flour, fast foods, junk foods, microwaved foods, processed meat products and processed foods in general.

2. Optimizing your vitamin D levels. If you can get your levels sufficiently high, you can decrease your risk of cancer by up to 50%. Achieve this by getting optimal sun exposure year round for 20 minutes or so in those 2 hours either side of 12 noon several times a week by exposing as much of your body as possible and staying in the sun until your skin starts to turn pink. Avoid putting on sun block or showering off with soap straight afterwards as this undoes all the good. If you cannot get sufficient sun exposure, you need a good dose of vitamin D3 supplement.

3. Avoiding stress and watching your emotions. Not always easy to follow this advice but you will know what causes stress in your case and how you can combat it.

4. Vegetables are the superfoods we should all be eating as much as possible. Go for fresh and organic where possible. Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli are especially high in potent anti-cancer properties.

5. A diet rich in fiber is another important tool in preventing breast and other cancers. Again the fresh vegetables and certain fruits such as raspberries and strawberries, bananas and oranges as well as apples and pears (with their skins) are invaluable here along with oatmeal, nuts, whole grains, beans, peas and lentils.

6. Anti-oxidants as these have been shown to help slow down carcinogenesis, the process of cancer cell formation. Foods high in antioxidants include blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and other brightly coloured fruits and veggies.

7. Change to good fats, choosing natural over refined.
- Avoid high omega-6 vegetable oils found in your supermarket.
- Incorporate more omega-3 oils in your diet.
- Use avocado or rice bran oil for high temperature cooking with coconut oil, olive oil or walnut oil for low temperature cooking.
- Use olive oil for salad dressings.
- Use raw nuts for healthy snacking and their oil content.
- Use organic or butter from grass fed cows in moderation.

8. Good quality sleep which means approximately 8 hours per night every night in a darkened room with little disruption if possible. If you suffer from insomnia, H-Insomnia from Healing Natural Oils will help to get you back into a good sleeping pattern.

9. Reducing your exposure to environmental toxins. This covers so many possible sources of toxins from paint, furniture, fittings, floor coverings, household cleaners, insecticides and pesticides both inside and out, non-stick cookware, BPA in plastics, your water supply, the cosmetics and toiletries you use on your hair and your skin and much more. Even microwave ovens, cell phones and other wi-fi electronic equipment plus the new smart meters need to be considered.

10. When cooking – boil, poach or steam your foods rather than frying or charboiling them. Also try to eat as much food raw as you possibly can as cooking food with heat can destroy many of the natural enzymes and nutrients which fight cancer.

11. Exercise and being physically active is an important protection against breast and other cancers. If you can aim for regular physical activity of some sixty minutes several times a week, this will help you in so many ways – weight loss, feeling good and lifting depression. Find a form of exercise that you will enjoy and be happy to continue indefinitely.

12. Losing weight. If you are overweight or suffering from obesity and you make the lifestyle changes listed above, many of these will help you to lose weight. Be aware that weight gain is a promoter of breast cancer, and obesity increases the risk for developing cancer. Try to ensure that you maintain your weight within an acceptable range.

13. Breastfeeding. Along with all the other benefits to mother and child, breastfeeding decreases the risk of breast cancer development. Research has shown that women who breastfeed are less likely to develop breast cancer, a benefit which increases the longer you breastfeed.

14. Self examination  is always a good habit to get into but be wary of mammograms as a growing body of clinical evidence indicates that the “low energy” x-rays used in breast screenings are up to 500% more carcinogenic (yes 500%) than previously assumed. For more information go to: http://www.hawkeshealth.net/community/showthread.php?t=7981&highlight=thermography.   Think about changing to thermography which is a method that can detect a tumor ten years before it shows up on a mammogram. Thermography is non-invasive; it does not crush your breasts (potentially pressuring cancer cells into the blood stream); and nor does it send repeated doses of radiation into your body.

15. And finally of course giving up smoking and reducing your alcohol intake.

Breast cancer occurs as a result of mutations in two genes: BRCA1 and BRCA 2. Since breast cancer can be genetic, it is wise to be aware of your own family history of breast cancer.

Image via Wikipedia

If you live in the US, you may have noticed that there has been much written in the main stream press over the past few days about a study released by the Archives of Internal Medicine that followed some 40 000 women between the ages of 55 and 69 for nearly 20 years and which resulted in a conclusion that taking multivitamins was linked to a 2.4% increase in death for these older women.

Although this study has been given massive coverage, it was a very generalized study with no doses, brands, quality or frequency of doses being reported. The vitamins mentioned in the reports were iron, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc and copper.

Natural health proponents have been quick to question this study for its lack of all important information, making it impossible to draw any meaningful conclusions.

Interestingly, Dr Sinatra in his blog
http://blog.drsinatra.com/blog/heart-health-nutrition/vitamins-and-women-what-the-news-reports-didnt-tell-you
discussed those 6 vitamins cited and said:

“There isn’t a woman over 55 on this planet that should be taking iron. When it’s taken when it’s not needed, iron acts as a pro-oxidant causing oxidative stress in your body. Plus, once women are no longer having their periods, iron levels can build up to toxic levels.

As with iron, you need to be careful with copper.  Any good multivitamin should have less than the RDA of copper since copper can also act as a pro-oxidant. The bottom line is we get enough copper from water going through mostly copper pipes. 

There are no downsides to taking magnesium—only enormous benefits. Magnesium helps your blood pressure, bones, immune system, blood sugar, improves recovery from a heart attack, and more. You should be taking 500 mg daily. 

There are also no downsides to taking vitamins B6 and folic acid. You need these vital nutrients to support healthy nerves, to detoxify harmful homocysteine, to strengthen your heart muscles, and more. 

As for zinc, as long as you are not taking more than 100 mg per day, there is no downside. More than this amount can be counter productive to the immune system.”

Dr Sinatra who is not one to mince his words went on to point out that it is very important for older women (as well as others) to know that not taking vitamins is what can cause you harm. This is because today we are faced with so many toxins including insecticides, pesticides and heavy metals as well as over-the-counter and prescription drugs that actually severely lessen those critical nutrients in our bodies. He cites two examples of such drugs – firstly aspirin which depletes folic acid and secondly statins that deplete CoQ10 (natural chemical compound that we make in our bodies and consume in our diets, primarily from oily fish, organ meats such as liver, and whole grains).

In closing, the doctor says that he finds it very interesting that this study should be released just at the time that the FDA is doings its level best to regulate the supplement industry in the USA.

The Alliance for Natural Health were even more scathing in their reporting of the “study” on their website.
http://www.anh-usa.org/shame-on-ama-archives-of-internal-medicine/

They said:

“The study, published in the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Archives of Internal Medicine, assessed the use of vitamin and mineral supplements in nearly 39,000 women whose average age was 62. The researchers asked the women to fill out three surveys, the first in 1986, the second in 1997, and the last in 2004, reporting what supplements they took and what foods they ate, and answering a few questions about their health.

That’s right, all the data was self-reported by the study subjects only three times over the course of the 19-year-long study. To say the data is “unreliable” would be a generous description. This kind of “data” has no place in a valid scientific study.

Then the researchers looked at how many of the women had died by 2008. They reported that the number of deaths were somewhat higher for women who took copper, a little bit lower for women who took calcium, but about average for most of the women.”

The Alliance for Natural Health pointed out that in the study, all of the relative risks were so low as to be statistically insignificant, and none was backed up by any medical investigation or biological plausibility study.

And here is another “study” basher in the form of Dr Whitaker who in his blog said that we should not believe everything we hear as supplements are safe.
http://blog.drwhitaker.com/blog/your-definitive-guide-to-wellness-medicine/dont-believe-everything-you-hear-supplements-are-safe-

In commenting on the study he says:

“Folks, this stuff may increase nightly news ratings and sell newspapers, but in the end it’s doing more harm than good.

The most significant risk was with supplemental iron, which was associated with a 3.9 percent increased risk of death. This isn’t news. It is well known that excess iron is linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other conditions and should be taken only by individuals diagnosed with anemia.”

He also pointed out that the calculated overall risk of death was only slightly higher among the women who took multivitamin – namely 40.8% vs 39.8% while the study itself was observational which meant that it did not allow for any specific cause for this slight increase to be determined.

Dr Whitaker goes on to say that “Nothing in this study compels me to change my recommendations regarding nutritional supplements. An editorial piece published along with the study suggests we should get be able to get adequate vitamins and minerals from diet alone—yet large government studies reveal tremendous gaps in the average American diet and widespread nutritional deficiencies.”

Remember that although most nutritional needs can be met through a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, many women (especially older women) can benefit from a good multivitamin helping to fill in the gaps that their diet alone cannot provide.

Medically known as bromodosis, stinky feet is a common problem causing embarrassment all year round regardless of the temperature.

Some of the causes of smelly feet include:

- Being a teenager or pregnant because their hormones are often up and down making them sweat more.
- Being under mental or emotional stress.
- Having to stand up all day at work.
- Having a medical condition called hyperhydrosis which causes perspiration far greater than the physiological needs of the body.
- Suffering from athletes foot.
- The side effects from certain prescribed medications.
- Poor hygiene.
- Wearing the same shoes constantly.

Our feet can become stinky if they sweat a lot and this sweat soaks into the shoes without drying properly before the shoes are worn again. Bacteria on the skin breaks down sweat as it comes from the pores and this bacteria can continue to breed in the shoes even after you have taken them off and especially if you put them still damp into a dark cupboard. Put them back on again in the morning and you have the perfect recipe for stinky feet – a warm, dark and moist home for the bacteria to thrive. Bacteria produced naturally by the body actually feed from the sweat produced by the feet, giving off a substance known as isovaleric acid. This is what causes the odor that emanates from your feet.

So what can you do about smelly feet?

1. If you suffer from athletes foot, treat the symptoms of this fungal condition as a matter of urgency with H-Athletes Foot from Healing Natural Oils.

2. Never wear the same shoes two days running. Be aware that trainers, boots and other constrictive footwear are particularly susceptible to this problem. So avoid any tight fitting footwear, allowing the feet to breathe.

3. Wash your feet at least once every day, making sure to thoroughly dry them every time. Some people find good results by using Hibiscrub soap (leave on skin for two minutes each time) helping to destroy the bacteria that causes the smell.

4. Use cotton wool dipped in surgical spirit and apply to the area between the toes really well to act as an antiseptic, astringent and dehydrating solution all-in-one. Another home remedy is to use vinegar instead.

5. Use a deodorant or antiperspirant on the feet which can be the same one as you use underarm.

6. Put on clean socks (preferably light colored) at least once a day. These socks should be made of natural fibres such as cotton or bamboo to allow the feet to breathe better and can even help to absorb excess sweat.

7. Use medicated insoles or the new cedar insoles in your shoes to absorb moisture and reduce foot odour. Cedarsoles are made from natural anti fungal cedarwood and give your feet a very long-lasting menthol-like aroma. Cedarwood is also very useful to prevent fungus or similar disorders.

8. Only wear leather or canvas shoes to let your feet breathe. Go barefoot as much as possible or wear open toe sandals when the weather allows.

It is always best to go down the natural route if you possibly can and in most cases, these simple self help measures will get rid of your smelly feet. However, if the problem is really bad and none of these solutions help, then you should see a doctor as a last resort as there are a number of prescription drugs that can treat serious foot odor, some by killing bacteria and some by reducing foot sweat.

If you are healthy on the inside, you will have glowing skin, shiny hair and a beautiful smile.

1. Green veggies are great for external beauty, containing vitamins A, E, fibre and iron. Vitamin E is an essential element helping maintain the skin’s elasticity – extra important as we age. Vitamin A helps the skin, mucous membranes and even our eyes keep up their moisture levels while a high iron content is vital to produce red blood cells. Eat brightly colored and dark fruits and vegetables for all their antioxidants.

2. Liquids because if you want to look good, staying hydrated is essential. Water especially improves the way you look on different levels. One is by working with fiber to carry toxins out of your body which would otherwise wreak havoc on your appearance – think puffy face; red, dry, and puffy eyes; dull and dry skin, hair, and nails; and even acne breakouts and dermatitis. Another is by protecting your skin cells as the more water a skin cell contains, the less vulnerable it is to invasion by potentially harmful bacteria. Green tea is another product to improve those looks on the inside while reducing the risks of certain cancers with all the antioxidants it contains. Milk (especially if it is raw or at the very least organic and free range) is another drink to add to your beauty aids, providing calcium and vitamin D to nourish the skin and strengthen the hair. Be aware that caffeine should be limited because it can cause you to become dehydrated, and your skin needs to be fluid to look and feel healthy.

3. Vitamin C, which can be found in most citrus fruits such as blueberries, lemons, limes, and oranges, helps to boost the immune system. It also aids in the production of collagen which fights wrinkles by keeping the skin firm. This incredible vitamin helps the body absorb calcium and iron and has also been shown to reduce acne flare-ups.

4. Fatty acids are a must in your diet to improve the overall condition of nails, hair, and skin. You can get these fatty acids in fish (from a safe source) such as salmon, mackerel and sardines as well as pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, nuts, olives, olive oil, flaxseed, eggs and sunflower seeds. Omega 3 supplements are also an excellent source of essential fatty acids. By maintaining cell structure, fatty acids keep bad things out and good things in. If you don’t eat enough of these fats, your skin will become dry, cracked, scaly and itchy.

5. Zinc fortified proteins will help to prevent dull hair and brittle nails. Sources are beans and lean meats along with oysters, clams, mussels and lobster. The protein you eat has a lot more to do with how you look than you may think. Your skin, hair, and nails are all made of protein but if you are not getting enough, your body will divert the protein nutrients to more essential body parts first, leaving your skin, hair, and nails deprived of their essential building blocks. They will be come weaker and look less than attractive. Skin can become dry, flaky, dull, and irritated; nails will break more easily; and your hair might start to fall out. The zinc in portein is an important mineral for skin, hair, and nail health. Seafood, shellfish, lean red meats, dark meat poultry, nuts, and eggs are all protein sources that contain high levels of zinc. If you are a vegetarian, you can also get your zinc from peaches, onions, whole grains, fermented soybean paste, and some legumes.

6. Ditch the sugar if you want to look 10 years younger as sugar is responsible for almost half of all aging that takes place inside skin cells. Sugar binds with collagen (the protein that makes up 75% of skin) and activates a chemical reaction called glycation which damages elastin and collagen – the two substances your skin needs to stay supple and elastic. In the end sugar will lead to wrinkles and sagging skin. Sugary foods can also trigger increased sebum production which will clog your pores and result in acne breakouts.

Beauty is not just skin deep – you have to nourish your body from the inside in order to make the outside look the best it can.

-  A bowl large enough to fit your feet, warm water

-  Epson salts

-  Lavender essential oil

-  A pumice stone

-  A natural foot scrub product

-  A natural foot cream or moisturizer

-  H-Cracked Heels from Healing Natural Oils

-  Nail clippers and an emery board

-  Soft towel

Remove old nail polish – use polish remover on a ball of cotton wool.

Soak your feet – make sure to soak your feet for 10 minutes or more in a bowl of warm water with some Epson salts added to loosen any calluses and dry skin. Add a few drops of lavender essential oils for an extra special soaking. Relax and read a book while your feet soak.

Get rid of hard skin - buff your feet with a pumice stone, a callus stone or biodegradable pumice pad, paying special attention to those places on the heels, the sides of the feet and toes which can be especially rough and hard. Keep dipping your feet into the same bowl of warm water to rinse off the dry skin. Rub in any direction but don’t scrub too hard and never rub the top of your foot.

Second soaking – first dry off your feet after getting rid of the skin before leaving them to soak for another 5 minutes or more in a bowl of fresh warm water to soften up those rougher areas of the feet. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil to the final soak to fight athlete’s foot and reduce itchiness.

Foot scrub – use a natural foot scrub on the whole of each foot in turn to removal all the remaining dry skin and rough calluses on your feet. You can also exfoliate with a homemade mixture of olive oil and kosher salt or raw sugar. Rub in an upward motion for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing thoroughly in your foot bath. Then dry your feet thoroughly with a soft towel.

Moisturize your feet – use a natural foot cream or moisturizer to gently rub and massage deep into your feet, paying particular attention to any callus-prone areas or cracked heels and covering the skin with a layer of protection. If you have cracked heels, H-Cracked Heels is a natural product that works by moisturizing and reducing the dryness and cracking while reducing the painful symptoms. Continued use will ensure completely healthy heels.

Clip the toenails – but first soften the nails and cuticles with some cuticle oil or olive oil. Using toenail clippers, cut straight across the end of your toenails (to prevent future ingrown toenails) while filing the edges with an emery board to ensure they are smooth and unlikely to snag your clothes. Apply a cuticle stick to press cuticles back if you are going to apply nail polish. If your feet are going to be covered up for the next few months, give them a rest from nail polish until open-toe shoes and sandals make their appearance again. Store any bottles of nail polish in the refrigerator to keep longer.

Qi Sun MD was the the lead author of the study and is a nutrition researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston. According to Dr Sun, experiments have shown that moderate alcohol intake — roughly one drink a day for women, or two a day for men – can reduce inflammation, promote healthy cholesterol levels, improve insulin resistance and help blood vessels function properly. He goes on to say: “Those mechanisms actually underlie a lot of chronic diseases and conditions but that doesn’t mean that women who don’t currently drink should start, however. Other healthy habits, such as staying slim and exercising regularly, are far more important to overall health than alcohol consumption”.

Dr Sun points out: “If you are physically active and if you have a healthy body weight at midlife, you can have much better odds of achieving successful aging,” he says. “You don’t have to use moderate alcohol consumption as a way to help achieve healthy aging.”

In another recent research study published in the British Medical Journal, it was reported that people who drink alcohol in moderation (about one drink a day) are up to 25% less likely to develop heart disease compared to teetotalers – with moderate drinking possibly significantly increasing the levels of “good”‘ cholesterol circulating in the body with its protective effect against heart disease. The research also found that it was the alcohol content that provided the health benefits, not what type of alcoholic beverage – spirits, beer, wine – you drank but a moderate glass of red wine is a good choice as among other health benefits, researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the USA, discovered that red wine “protects the brain from damage following a stroke.” This is because it helps to block the signals of molecules that can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries. You can access the study http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d671

Well that is good news. I am a very infrequent drinker myself and was starting to think that I might have to take up a daily glass of wine to keep healthy! On the other hand, anyone who is a moderate drinker can now feel confident to continue in the same way, particularly if it helps you to unwind at the end of the day or relieves any stress that might be building up.

Instead of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, could the new saying be “a drink a day, keeps the doctor at bay”?

Many people (and especially women) enjoy a soaking and relaxing bath time routine rather than an exhilarating shower but if you add essential oils to your bath, you can transform an every day occurrence into a heavenly one.

Essential oils added to the bath water will soften the skin as well as absorb the oil to work on both mind and body. And you only need a small amount because the aroma and concentration is heightened in the warm, steamy atmosphere of the bathroom. If you use more than one essential oil, the heat causes the scent of the individual oils to come in waves enabling you to smell them singly and combined. If you are pregnant, you should only use 2 drops of oil per bath.

In Roman times, bathing was seen as a rite and a ritual to cleanse the body of negative energies. In ancient Asian countries, the wealthier women would enjoy a Princess’s Bath. This comes with its own special recipe:

2 tablespoons of rice powder
Pinch of tumeric
1 teaspoonful of sandalwood or vetiver oil
1 small bowl of sesame or jojoba oil
4 drops of jasmine and ylang ylang oil
A few drops of water
2 cups natural yoghurt
A handful of scented flowers

The method for this special bath is to grind the rice, tumeric and sandalwood in a pestle and mortar and put to one side. Massage the body with the sesame or jojoba oil. Pound the spice ingredients into a paste with water and smear all over the body and then rub off once dry to exfoliate and polish the skin before rinsing off in the shower. The whole body is then covered with the natural yoghurt to moisturise and restore the pH balance before soaking in a warm bath filled with flowers. An Asian belief is that flowers link us to the spiritual world, purging us of all those earthly impurities. Surely a bath time ritual fit for a princess!

But to get back to a simpler bath time for us lesser mortals…

When getting your bath ready, don’t forget to make the room itself as comfortable as possible with a warm room temperature, soft lighting, music playing, lit candles, a neck pillow or rolled towel, soothing eye pads or slices of fresh cucumber, large warm and soft towels and no telephone to disturb you. When using oils in your bath, wait until the bath is full before sprinkling drops of your chosen oil or oils, as they tend to evaporate quickly. Avoid immersing yourself completely, as the oils should not come into contact with your eyes. It is best not to use soap in an essential oil bath as some soap might interfere with, and neutralise, the essential oil action.

The ideal mixed essential oils are:

For an anti-stress bath and in 100ml of neutral bath base, mix 50 drops of lavender oil, 50 drops of Ylang-ylang essential oil and 50 drops of mandarin oil. For textra toning, add 50 drops of rosemary oil and 60 drops of lemon oil. Keep in a glass bottle as needed.

A once off relaxing bath base can be made by mixing 1 part baking soda, 2 parts Epsom salts, and 3 parts sea salt. Add six drops of true lavender essential oil to about two tablespoons of this mixture and mix it into bath water just before entering.

If you want to add a single oil to your bath, here are some suggestions together with the conditions each oil can treat. Choose one from the list to try:

- 5 drops bergamot for melancholy or depression
- 7 drops chamomile for insomnia or itchy skin conditions
- 8 drops frankincense to sedate, to calm and to improve your mood
- 10 drops geranium for relaxation but at the same time to energize
- 8 drops jasmine for the problems of apathy, stress or fatigue
- 10 drops lavender to relax, to soothe and to help you stay positive
- 8 drops sandalwood for intimate and sensual occasions

Once you are in your bath, relax and close your eyes to calm the spirit and drift into your own world!

There are a number of things that can happen when you feel anxious:

It can affect both your body and your mind.

Your body will release a hormone called adrenaline which is nature’s way of warning you about impending danger whether real or imagined.

With increased anxiety, your heart may start to pound, your breathing get faster and you could start to perspire. Unfortunately, increased anxxiety will lead to increased symptoms.

It can affect your appetite, your ability to function properly and of course your sleep pattern (insomnia).

If anxiety is affecting you, there are steps you can take to remedy the situation:

1. Tell yourself that you will have a certain time of the day when you are allowed to worry. You can allocate 30 minutes of the day to devote to anxiety, when you can face the worries and anxieties you have, think about solutions and then after that time is up, make sure that those worries are put to rest at the back of your mind until the next session.

2. Take good care of yourself by eating healthily, drinking plenty of pure water, getting a good night’s sleep evrry night, indulging in enjoyable and regular exercise, takaing time out to do something that you personally enjoy or to spend quality time with friends. If you keep so busy, you will have less time to entertain anxious thoughts. The support of close friends and family at times of anxiety can also be helpful. If you find that insomnia is leading you to have anxious thoughts, then get up and make that time of night your 30 minutes when you are allowed to worry. When the time is up, you should be feeling sleepy again so go back to bed.

3. Learning to relax by listening to soothing music, taking up yoga, deep breathing exercises or muscle relaxation exercising. Deep breathing can be accomplished by lying down on a flat surface; placing one hand on the stomach above the navel with the other hand on your chest; breathing in slowly uintil the stomach rises; holding your breath for a second or two; and then exhaling slowling. Keep repeating this exercise. Muscle relaxation exercising is where you tense and relax your muscles one by one as you mentally go round every part of your body.

4. If there is a certain type of situation that causes anxiety, you will need to confront the situation so you are more in control. For example, you may be afraid of crwods. To overcome such anxiety, start by joining a very small crowd that is easy to leave should your feelings of anxiety become oppressive. Gradually step up to larger crowds until you are confident to be part of such a large crowd. Use the same type of method to confront whatever situation affects you whether it be speaking in public, a fear of heights and other anxiety.

If you find you are unable to overcome your feelings of anxiety on your own, you may need to see your doctor or a therapist for additional help.

Are you a busy working woman, perhaps with children and a home to care for in addition to your career? Some of you may need some extra tips to help you get the most out of your day. Here they are:

1. Make sure you have had a good night’s sleep before going off to work. The majority of people are seriously sleep deprived with many getting less than 6 hours sleep a night while many others suffer from sleeping difficulties such as insomnia. The recommended 8 hours per night will boost your immune system, your learning and memory capabilities, and affect your metabolism, weight, mood and heart health in a good way.
2. You will probably always make time for that first thing cup of coffee or tea but breakfast is the smart thing to eat before leaving for work. It can be a simple bowl of muesli, probiotic yoghurt with nuts and berries or a couple of eggs with whole grain toast and butter but getting a healthy start to the morning will protect against heart disease and even lead to a longer and healthier life. Eating breakfast means smaller rises in blood sugar and insulin during the day as well as preventing that desire to snack on junk food later in the morning.
3. Many of us are spending too much time sitting so posture becomes more important than ever. Good posture reduces the amount of stiffness in the back, neck and shoulder muscles, lowers your risk of injury, allows more oxygen to the brain and the lungs while aiding circulation. Slouching strains our back muscles. When there is more tension in the muscles than normal, they tire and the  brain sends out a signal to the surrounding muscles to work harder, putting additional strain on them and often leading to problems with flexibility, fatigue and
   tension headaches. The more time we spend being sedentary, the greater our health risks so we need to move more.
4. Are you still smoking? If so, I am sure you are well aware that smoking harms every system and function in your body because tobacco smoke is a cocktail of over 4 500 chemicals, of which 43 are known carcinogens. If you can stop, your health will immediately start to improve and you will be able to tick off all these improvements:
   • coughing and sinus congestion clears up
   • nerve endings begin to recover and taste buds and sense of smell come alive
   • blood circulation improves and activity becomes easier
   • the lung’s natural cleaning system starts working again and breathing is easier
   • the risk of serious diseases starts to fall
   • the carbon monoxide levels in the blood decrease and there is more energy and stamina.
5. Do you moan and groan unnecessarily? Try to be more positive and grateful for your life. Automatically, grateful people are happier people: ‘When people consciously practise grateful living, their happiness goes up and they are better able to withstand negativity around them. Individual happiness is about your attitude rather than your circumstances.
6. Take care of your teeth because those who have poor oral hygiene have an increased risk of heart disease because iInflammation in the body (including mouth and gums) plays an important role in the build up of artery clogging material, leading to serious cardiovascular problems. Regular dental check ups, a visit to the dental hygienist and cleaning your teeth with a non commercial toothpaste twice a day and flossing regularly should be part of your teeth care.
7. Learn to say NO so that you do not take on more tasks and favors than you can comfortably handle. This could be in the workplace, at home or in response to requests from family and friends.
8. Along with learning to say no is the need for time for yourself. Although women are natural nurturers, this nurturing usually extends to others rather than yourself. At least once a week, ensure that you do something that makes you feel uplifted and amazing. This could be a spa or beauty treatment, time out with friends or an exercise session. In addition, if you can learn to relax, the upside is that you will end up with more energy.
9. If you have children, help yourself and them by teaching the value of responsibility. Give them small tasks to do around the house. It is excellent training for them, gives them a sense of importance and eventually means a little less for you to do.
10. Organization is vital particularly if you have children. Some women might be very organized at work but not at home or vice versa. You need to work towards becoming more organized in every sphere of your life, saving you time, money and hours of frustration.

Many women have hectic lives juggling with a career, looking after their family and running their home, so they need all the help they can get to eat the right foods for their optimum health and energy.

1. Proteins include grass fed beef and lamb, fish as well as free range poultry and eggs. People have been slow to realize the importance of vitamin D and eggs are one of the few foods that do contain this vital vitamin or hormone. The main source of course is sunlight exposure during the summer months. If you live in a cold climate, you will need to supplement with vitamin D3. Eggs also contain choline which is said to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer. The biotin in eggs give women healthy hair and nails too. For too long have we been told to limit our intake of eggs. Go on and eat as many as you want – they are the perfect food with just one egg containing 6 grams of protein and 9 essential amino acids. Faty fish such as sardines, mackerel or salmon are an excellent source of omega 3 helping to inhibit the growth of arterial fatty plaques, keeping the artieries clear while preventing damage that can lead to thickening and hardeing of those arteries. But be aware of the sources of your fish to ensure they are safe to eat and come from sustainable stock.

2. Dairy should include plenty of yoghurt with probiotics and calcium with their multiple health benefits. It should list live cultures such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus. The health benefits of such probiotic yoghurt include helping with vaginal yeast infections or candida, digestive tract disorders, irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers. If you want to include any milk or cheese in your diet, try to go for the raw milk and cheese product.

3. Oils are another essential in a woman’s healthy diet but not just any old oil. Top of the list is butter from grass fed cows, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil and peanut butter. Please forget about ever using margarine.

4. Fresh fruit and vegetables of all colors and preferably organic and eaten raw have excellent health benefits. For example, tomatoes have lycopene as an active health component which is said to guard against breast cancer and UV damage. Feel free to eat tomatoes frequently and remember that you can also get lycopene from watermelon, guavas, pink grapefruit and red navel oranges.  An excelent way to eat your raw fruit and vegetables is to juice them. Using pure water or coconut water as a base use roughly 60% chopped vegetables and 40% chopped fruit in the same color spectrum to juice. This will give you a wonderful and delicious green juice, purple juice, red juice or yellow juice depending on the color you choose.

5. Berries are an excellent source of vitamin C and those nutrients that repair cells. You will find anthocyans (that are known to decrease the risk of several cancers including breast and gastrointestinal cancer) in blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and mulberries. Try to include at least 4 servings per week of berries for vitamin C, folic acid and anti-oxidant protection.

6. Nuts have so many health benefits so try to include a handful as a snack every day. They must be raw and unsalted. Suggestions include almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews, macadamia, pecans and many more.

7. Grains have taken a back seat lately with many women found to be gluten intolerant so limit the bread to just a slice or two per day. However, black, brown or wild rice along with with organic quinoa and oats are healthy grains to include in your diet.

8. Beans including green beans and sprouted legumes are another source jof protein, high fiber and folic acid. The soluble fiber is useful in the digestive tract to help get rid of accummulated waste while supplying energy and stabilizing blood sugar. Beans also replenish stores of iron so particularly useful to women during menstruation.

In closing, some of the foods mentioned above have the added advantage of reducing the symptoms of PMS in women and these are brown rice, peanut butter, beans, sunflower seeds, cashews, spinach and salmon.