Healthy body
Top up your Omega-3s with krill oil
We all know that Omega-3s are good for our bodies but how many of us actually eat oily fish regularly or take a supplement? Studies have shown that a third of us Brits who used to take an Omega-3 supplement have stopped with 35% blaming a fishy aftertaste and burps! If this sounds like you try krill oil, a superior and sustainable form of Omega-3 that provides the body with health-promoting essential fatty acids in a small and reflux free capsule.
“People need to increase their intake of omega-3 fats to ensure optimal health, says Professor Philip Calder from the University of Southampton. “Krill oil is an excellent source of these vital nutrients and as our body can’t produce these fatty acids very well by itself, it can benefit anyone with a diet low in oily fish. Krill oil is more water soluble than other omega-3 sources, which means that is more easily absorbed and utilised by the body with no unpleasant aftertaste or reflux. Results from research conducted on krill oil so far are very encouraging”.
Try Bioglan Red Krill Oil (£17.99) is available from Boots and Boots.com. It’s super small, easy to swallow and has no fishy aftertaste guaranteed and the formulation supports heart, joints, eyes and cardiovascular health as well as everyday well being.
Boost your body with Baobab
Offering six times more vitamin C than oranges, twice as many antioxidants than gojiberries and more iron than red meat, it’s no wonder Baobab is being hailed as the superfood of 2013. Sourced from the Baobab tree, also known as the ‘upside down tree’ because of its unusual appearance, is traditionally grown in East Africa and its fruit has been used for thousands of years by local villagers as it packs a vital nutritional punch. Kirsten Brooks BSc Hons, D N Med, Independent Nutritionist comments: “Nature really does provide us with all the vitamins and minerals that our bodies require but it can be difficult to find the time to get hold of the real thing – particularly in this case as the Baobab fruit comes from East Africa! This natural, organic and sustainably sourced Baobab Superfruit powder is the ideal way to get a winning combination of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals into your diet. Antioxidants protect your body from harmful free radicals and can help strengthen your immune system and Baobab is a perfect way to ensure you are getting adequate amounts.”
Try Minvita Baobab Superfruit Powder (£14.69 for 250g) is available from Holland & Barrett stores nationwide and www.minvita.co.uk. Simply add it to smoothies, yogurts and cereals, or stirred into a glass of juice or water. Better still why not add it to the mix when you are making cakes, flapjacks or bread for a nutritional boost.
Get nutrition savvy with Salter
As Christmas can traditionally be a time of overindulgence with many of us wanting to lose those extra pounds in the New Year, Salter brings you a range of smart scales to help you to a happy and healthy 2013. Salter’s NutriWeigh Dietary Computer Scale is both stylish and functional and ideal for anyone calorie counting, or simply watching their intake of fat or salt. The scale accurately calculates the nutritional value of 999 foods and displays their nutritional results on the screen including calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, salt, cholesterol and fibre content of the foods. "I often find many people are unaware of the nutritional value of the foods they eat, comments Jane Griffin, a Sports Dietician and Nutritionist. Those watching their weight also have a tendency to omit certain foods from their diet purely on the calorie value without considering what nutrients they could be getting. The Salter NutriWeigh Dietary Computer scale helps users understand exactly what nutrients they are eating not just the calorie value. This is a positive step for those wanting to look after their health and wellbeing."
Try the Salter NutriWeigh Dietary Computer Scale (£46.99) from department stores and high-street retailers nationwide as well as online at www.salterhousewares.com
Get to the point with acupuncture
With 2.3 million acupuncture treatments carried out each year, traditional acupuncture is one of the most popular complementary therapies practised in the UK today. “Acupuncture is a system of healing that has been practiced for over 2,500 years, says Adrian Birch, a member of the British Acupuncture Council. “It is a gentle and effective treatment that focuses on helping the whole person, aiming to improve their entire health and wellbeing. The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from pain or a particular condition. Many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, better appetite and sleep as well as an enhanced sense of overall wellbeing. During an acupuncture treatment, sterile needles no bigger than a human hair are inserted to stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore its natural balance. Patients often describe the needle sensation as a tingling or dull ache with very little or no pain at all.”
Try booking a session or speaking to your local acupuncturist. Make sure your practitioner is a registered member of the British Acupuncture Council, the UK’s largest governing body of traditional acupuncture with over 3,000 members. To find a registered member in your area call the British Acupuncture Council on 020 8735 0400 or visit www.acupuncture.org.uk.
Stay Stellar with Chlorella
With many people not getting their recommended 5 a-day, supplementing the body is vital for optimum health. A new clinical trial, published in the latest issue Nutrition Journal, suggests that supplementation with chlorella (single-celled green algae whole food supplement) may help boost the body’s immunity function. The study of 51 healthy adults over an 8-week period as randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, saw those who had supplemented with chlorella had an increased number of cells used in the body to help protect against infectious agents (or pathogens). With celebrity fans including supermodel Miranda Kerr and Victoria Beckham; the single-celled green algae, chlorella, is composed of 60% pure plant protein and is free from synthetic ingredients to allow for the body to fully maximise its health-property benefits.
Try Sun Chlorella ‘A’ Granules (£21.95 for a 20 x 3g sachets box (one month’s supply) contains the daily recommended intake of essential amino acids, vitamin A, vitamin B12, B6, vitamin D, folic acid, iron and fibre. Available from www.SunChlorella.co.uk, free phone 0800 008 6166.
Cut your cholesterol with citrus Bergamot
We all know it’s important to look after our heart so keep your ticker in tip-top condition with the fruity goodness from the Italian Calabrian Citrus Bergamot, the only natural alternative clinically proven to help lower ‘bad’ LDL. It has even been shown in clinical trials to work in compliment to statins and has helped some patients halve their statin dose. An Australian cardiologist has been using on over 1,500 heart patients and has found it to effectively reduce high cholesterol, lose tummy fat and help to lower their risk of heart attack. Cardiologist Dr Ross Walker comments “The results are impressive. Few have witnessed any minor side effects and it is worth noting associated cardiac improvements, such as reduction in arterial stiffness and reductions in abdominal obesity”.
Try NEW BergaMet (£42) for a month’s supply), available from www.bergamet.co.uk
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