Health Advice

Pre-menstrual syndrome (also known as PMT - pre menstrual tension) is the hormonal, physical and emotional changes which some women experience between two and fourteen days before a period and which are relieved when the period starts.

Symptoms to look out for are:

• Mood swings and irritability.
• Cravings for sugary/sweet foods.
• Lack of concentration.
• Headaches.
• Weight gain and feeling bloated.
• Skin blemishes.

To help yourself during this time you can learn how to relax, exercise regularly and try to keep your blood sugar levels even by eating healthy foods at regular intervals no longer than three hours apart.

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The menopause is a time of change usually around the ages of 45 - 55 when periods become irregular and eventually stop. It happens when levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone produced from the ovaries drop significantly.

Some of the symptoms are:

• Irregular periods.
• Hot flushes.
• Night sweats and sleeplessness.
• Headaches, forgetfulness, irritability, feeling low and emotional.

Menopausal symptoms can be relieved by eating a healthy balanced diet, staying active, learning how to relax and avoiding smoking. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a way of replacing lost hormones to counteract the effects of the menopause and can help ease uncomfortable symptoms.

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Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men. They have smaller bones which are less dense and the menopause accelerates bone loss. Osteoporosis can develop if periods have been missed (excluding pregnancy) as a result of over exercising or over dieting, an early hysterectomy or an early menopause.

Try to remember, to eat a balanced diet rich in calcium (found in milk, cheese, sardines, baked beans, leafy green vegetables) to keep your bones healthy and strong. Exercise regularly to maintain bone density making sure you include weight bearing activities such as walking, aerobics, jogging or playing tennis.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can help protect against osteoporosis. avoid smoking and drink alcohol in moderation can minimise the risks of developing Osteoporosis.

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Green tea is known to be good for re-hydration. Keeping hydrated can help purify and cleanse your body. it’s a natural source of flavonoid antioxidants too, not to dissimilar to those found in fruit and vegetables. For the mind - Green tea with lemon is great for a perk-me-up boost. Over the last few decades it has been subject to medical and scientific studies where suggestions have been made that regular green tea drinkers have less chances of Heart Disease and certain types of cancer. Other benefits reputed to being helpful are:

* cancer
* rheumatoid arthritis
* high cholesterol levels
* cardiovascular disease
* infection
* impaired immune function

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Macadamia nuts can help to lower raised cholesterol, reduce the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease and protect against high bloody pressure. The nuts contain a exceptionally high proportion of mono unsaturated fats. They boast a higher level of these good fats than any other food stuff in the world - even olive oil. Research suggests mono unsaturated fat can help protect against heart disease and high blood pressure by lowering harmful LDL cholesterol levels. Macadamia’s also provide a natural source of plant sterols shown to be beneficial for HDL good cholesterol levels.

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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also commonly referred to as winter depression, is a mood disorder some people experience when the seasons change. Sufferers experience normal mental health throughout most of the year, but experience symptoms of depressive in the winter. . A mild case of SAD is referred to as subsyndromal SAD and more commonly known as the winter blues. Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder refers to experiencing the symptoms of SAD but in the summer.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is believed to be caused by an imbalance of biochemical in the hypothalamus, as a direct result of the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. Seasonal mood variations are believed to be related to light, and cloud cover may contribute to the negative effects of SAD, hence the need for an alternative bright light therapy which is medically proven to provide relief to sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

In conclusion the intensity of a typical summer day has on average an estimated 800,000 - 100,000 lux, taking in to consideration standard domestic lighting emits 200 - 500 lux, and diagnosed SAD sufferers are recommended treatments of approximately 2000 - 2500 lux as a minimum dose. With an 85% success rate, relief of primary symptoms can be dramatically reduced from a couple of sessions, making it a very popular choice amongst SAD sufferers.

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Your waist size is also a good indicator of your health.  if you have excess fat around the waist this will give you a apple shape which is undesirable. if you have excess fat around the bottom, hips and thighs this will give you a pear shape with a smaller waist. this is generally accepted as last harmful to health.  As a guide for women a waist measurement over 32 inches/80 cm increases health risk. The risk is higher if the waistline is over 35 inches (88cm)

For men a waist measurement in excess of 37 inches (94cm) puts you at high risk and even higher if the measurement is over 40 inches.

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