April 2009

 
         

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Tai chi – a workout for your body and mind.

A flavonoid in grapefruit blocks hepatitis C.

Broccoli for blood vessel health.

Drink green tea to keep your gums healthy.

Beautiful, bright flowers keep women happy.


ToeSox - a must for yoga enthusiasts.
 

Bag it!
 

Tiffin carrier
 

Aveda 'Light the Way'
 

Natural Instinct gift pack
 

Dr Bronner's Shikakai Pump Soaps
 

Live life to the EfaMAX!
Nature & Health e-news
Australia's original and best natural health magazine.

Celebrating 30 years of publication in 2009.

CAN’T FOCUS? TRY TAI CHI
Chinese martial arts could help overcome insomnia, says a study in the journal Sleep (31). At the start of the study, over half the participants had difficulty sleeping. After six months of practising a slow-motion version of tai chi called chih – a meditative sequence of 19 movements – they felt less tired during the day and could concentrate more than people who did not do the exercises.
GRAPEFRUIT FOR HEPATITIS C
A flavonoid called naringenin that occurs in grapefruit may curb the spread of hepatitis C virus by up to 80 per cent, say Massachusetts General Hospital researchers in a study published online in Hepatology. Study author Dr Yaakov Nahmias explains, “These results suggest that naringenin may be combined with traditional antiviral therapies to reduce or even eliminate HCV.”
BROCCOLI BATTLES DIABETES
Researchers from Warwick University have found that a broccoli compound called sulforaphane helps the body produce enzymes that protect blood vessels, and also reverses damage to blood vessels caused by high blood glucose levels. The study, published in Diabetes (57), found that sulforaphane reversed the increase in cell-damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecules by a remarkable 73 per cent.
 
GREEN TEA HELPS GUMS
Green tea is best known for its benefits in promoting cardiovascular health and reducing serum cholesterol. Now a new study, reported in the Journal of Periodontology (80:3) suggests that green tea helps decrease the risk of periodontal disease and dental caries. Researchers found that, for every cup of green tea drunk daily, there was a corresponding decrease in loss of gum tissue and in bleeding.
Keep flowers on your desk. Texas University researchers have found that women who had brightly-coloured fresh flowers on their desks came up with more creative ideas and solutions to problems; they also felt less anxiety and stayed in a better mood all day.
YOGA SOCKS
Organic cotton ToeSox are a form-fitting ‘second skin’ for your feet which allow the toes to separate naturally, providing better grip for maximum control and balance. A must for yoga or Pilates enthusiasts.
$20.00;www.ecoyoga.com.au
BAG IT
How gorgeous is this bag? Made by the imaginative and talented traditional artisans from the Reaching Out fair-trade co-operative in India, it holds a huge amount and will certainly stand out in a crowd.
$87.50;www.globalconduct.com.au
TRY A TIFFIN
Tiffin carriers are an Indian invention, traditionally used to take lunch (‘tiffin’) to work. This stainless steel one is a fantastic eco-friendly alternative to a plastic lunch box or disposable container.
$35.00;www.cinnamondesigns.com.au
LIGHT THE WAY
By purchasing an Aveda ‘Light the Way’ soy wax candle during the month of April, you can contribute to clean water rights around the world. Aveda will be donating 100 per cent of the proceeds of candle sales to its global Earth Month partner, Global Greengrants Fund. Each candle features 100 per cent EcoCert certified organic ingredients and award-winning environmentally responsible packaging.
www.aveda.com.au
MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL
Just in time for Mother’s Day, here is a terrific (and very affordable) gift pack from Natural Instinct, containing a Facial Foam Cleanser, Facial Moisturiser, Hydrating Toner and Facial Scrub, all for just $29.95. Free from parabens, sulphates, artificial colours and preservatives. For more information, visit www.naturalinstinct.com.au.
A CLEAN CONSCIENCE
Dr Bronner’s Organic Fair Trade Shikakai pump soaps contain no synthetic detergents or preservatives. Organic shikakai comes from the South Asian tree Acadia concinna and has been used for millennia as a gentle conditioning cleanser. Available in Lavender, Spearmint/Peppermint, Tea Tree, Mild Unscented and Lemongrass/Lime, from health food and organic stores and selected pharmacies.
www.drbronner.com.au.
LIVE LIFE TO THE EFAMAX!
Did you know that many Australians are estimated to consume only around 20% of the omega-3 that is recommended by the International Society for the Study of Fats and Lipids for the maintenance of a healthy heart?¹² The recommended intake of 500mg may be reached by eating at least two servings of fish every week³. But not everyone can manage to eat that much fish. Efamax is a concentrated formula of essential omega-3 fatty acids which help to maintain heart health and circulation. Each Efamax one-a-day capsule contains 530mg of EPA/DHA, providing a convenient source of these omega-3 fatty acids which are essential to our bodies. Efamax is available from leading pharmacies and health food stores throughout Australia at a recommended retail price of $19.95. For more information call 1800 064 953 or visit www.planethealth.com.au. Use only as directed.

http://www.issfal.org.uk
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/dietsyn.htm
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/n35syn.htm
CHC 40346-05/08
   
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