VITAMINS AND MINERALS As promised, here is an over-view of the main essential vitamins and minerals, BUT, rather than take them in isolation it is better to take a good multi-vitamin and mineral tablet aimed specifically at the over 50s.
REMEMBER:
What you put into your body is what you get out of your body! So
think of food as fuel and choose food from the chart
above. NOW HERE ARE A FEW MORE SUPPLEMENTS TO HELP YOU 'SPRING' INTO SPRING. Co-enzyme 10 The body's 'spark-plug' for energy. Ginkgo Biloba Helps maintain good circulation to the body's extremities (so good for those who suffer from cold hands and feet). Also improves blood supply to the brain and helps with poor memory. Glucosamine Helps maintain connective tissues in the joints and is believed to stimulate cartilage growth and promote smooth functioning joints. Echinacea Boosts the immune system - an aid in the prevention of colds and flu. Click here to enquire further Garlic Also boosts the immune system and, importantly, has antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Omega 3 fish oils. Benefits heart, circulation, joints and brain. Click here to enquire further Evening Primrose Oil Good for the immune system and appearance of skin. So all the above are a bonus for the over 50's.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now we all know that there is nothing like a nice cup of tea of give yourself a lift, and at last it has been confirmed that tea is actually good for us (this comes as a surprise, as we all know from experience that if we enjoy something then it is guaranteed that someone will come up with the discovery that it is bad for us). Research has also shown that Green Tea contains remarkable health promoting properties. So next time you feel like a 'cuppa' reach for the Green Tea - drink it on its own or with a slice of lemon - and it is really refreshing. As a matter of interest, I recently visited a tearoom where they had on offer a choice of over 300 different teas, and guess which one the owner drank? Yes, Green Tea 'nough said!
MENOPAUSAL TREATMENT Now that there is concern about the long term use of HRT (hormone replacement therapy), many women are looking for a natural alternative in order to alleviate menopausal symptoms and maintain a healthy lifestyle when their oestrogen levels drop. Phytoestrogens are oestrogens derived from plants that work in a similar way to ours. These are found in soyamilk, soyabeans, linseeds, pumpkin seeds, red clover, etc. So here is an opportunity to give you the recipe for what is known as the 'HRT CAKE'. So why not cut yourself a slice of this 'feel good' cake to go with your cup of green tea? HRT CAKE Ingredients: 50
gr sunflower seeds, 50 gr pumpkin seeds, 50 gr linseeds, Method: Mix
all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. If
you don't feel inclined to bake a cake, why not include a good percentage
of the above ingredients with your breakfast porridge. Here is MY version of a nourishing/HRT breakfast. Into a microwaveable dish mix oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, linseeds, sesame seeds, raisins; toss in all or any of the following as your fancy takes you - chopped dried apricots, prunes, apple, dates, almonds, walnuts, also perhaps a spoonful of malt extract or honey if desired, cover with water or preferably soymilk, and microwave for approx. 3-4 minutes. Eat with a dollop of bio-yoghurt on top (if desired) and you'll be truly set up for the day - you certainly won't feel the need for a mid-morning snack. And whilst we are on the subject of the menopause, don't forget the importance of looking after your bones with extra calcium. *
Healthspan of Guernsey (www.healthspan.co.uk)
offer a good rangeof tax-free vitamins and minerals with free post
and packing. They also print a very good informative monthly magazine,
and if you spend over £10 (and with so much on offer it's quite
difficult to spend less than £10) they will add your name to
their
Although in my previous column I promised not to mention chocolate, I can't wait to pass on the good news .. recent research has shown that chocolate is actually good for us - Halleluiah! I give below an extract from the Daily Mail, 1 June 04 . "CHOCOLATE
'KEEPS YOU IN GOOD HEART' I must say I personally agree with the newspaper heading, as my heart always feels good when I tuck into a bar of my favourite chocolate. It is only after I have demolished it that my heart sinks when the guilty feeling kicks in. Well, as long as it is the dark chocolate with over 70% cocoa solids then we needn't spoil the pleasure with a feeling of guilt. And, unlike milk chocolate or other comfort food such as chocolate cake, there is the added bonus that we are unlikely to put on too much weight with this 'high cocoa content' chocolate, as it is quite difficult to over-indulge with this very rich dark chocolate. However,
don't forget that 'less is more'! Remember what happened when the
medical profession informed us that 'a glass of red wine is good for
the heart? Generally, people only heard 'red wine is good for the
heart' and ignored the recommendation of 'one glass'. Unfortunately,
just because you consume a bottle of red does not mean that you are
consuming a bottle of health. (Sorry to be a 'party puper'). Similarly,
if you are a chocoholic, then try exchanging your usual milk, fudge,
cream, chocolate for a small amount of high quality dark chocolate
containing over 70% cocoa solids - enjoy it, and,
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