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Natures Therapy - March 2008

The Many Benefits of Regular Pampering (LINK)

March 31st 2008 07:02
We all love a good pamper, that is when we finally stop and take the time to enjoy it. Most of the time we are too busy, too stressed, put ourselves last or just don’t think we deserve it and so miss out. Regular pampering is more than just looking good; it is an important form of self care. If we take the time to slow down and enjoy some pampering, it re-fuels our mind and body, allowing us to cope more effectively with life. Essentially, pampering is an important aspect of our health and wellbeing.

One question I regularly ask people who think they are too busy to pamper themselves is “if you don’t look after yourself, how can you help look after your loved ones”. Pampering gives important time for rest and recuperation and allows us time out from everyday demands. If we care for ourselves, then we have more energy to work, to play and to be part of our friends and families lives.


Pampering also reduces stress levels significantly. In a stressed state our nervous system stimulates the body to release hormones that in excess are linked to many health related issues. Everyday we are bombarded everyday with noise, traffic, pollution, communication, stimulation and the demands of others. To manage this constant pressure, we need to be able to “turn off” the body’s responses to stress.

Pampering assists with this process by allowing us to relax. Research supports the positive effects of regular relaxation which include enhanced immune function, lowered blood pressure, decreased mental pressure and enhanced creative processing.

Pampering not only relaxes the body but also the mind. It achieves this by improving mental clarity and mood as well as relieving anxiety. A relaxed mind allows more focused attention and better performance when we need it.


Just one hour a week of relaxation will help you to manage everyday demands more effectively. Of course more is even better! In this way pampering plays an important role in maintaining health and wellbeing…and apart from that is just so nice to lie down and know that for at least an hour, it is all about you!

Ananda Mahony ND is a naturopath and holistic skin specialist. Her practice focuses on the treatment of skin conditions and Food As Medicine. Ananda also owns Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care, a natural & organic skin care store in Paddington. www.vitalenatural.com.au
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Issues associated with some common Sugar Alcohols (LINK)

March 29th 2008 06:57
Sorbitol is made from corn syrup and only has half the sweetness of sugar. Sorbitol is less likely to cause intestinal upset than mannitol however is not recommend for diabetics as it is not readily excreted and high levels can contribute to microvasculature damage. Ironically, it is often found in “sugar-free” gums and candy recommended to diabetics. Sorbitol can also cause laxative effects.

Frequently used in chewing gums and hard candy Mannitol is extracted from seaweed for use in food prodution. Less sweet than sugar, more is required to match the relative sweetness of sugar. Mannitol is most likely to cause bloating and have a laxative effect and as such a label warning is often seen to that effect.

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol made from a part of birch trees that has been used safely since the 1960s. Despite researching this ingredient, at this stage there are no negative reports of xylitol in humans. In fact the opposite seems to be true with positive effects on tooth decay reduction. Unlike sugar, Sugar alcohols are not acted upon by bacteria in the mouth. Xylitol has been found to inhibit oral bacteria, and is often used in sugarless mints and chewing gums for this reason. Research has shown that regular chewing of gum containing xylitol showed up to 60% reduction in tooth decay when compared to controls. The other positive report for diabetics is reduced blood sugar and insulin responses to xylitol consumption when compared to sugar.

One area for concern with regard to xylitol is its use with animals, specifically at this stage dogs. A recent report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) reported that sugar-free dog treats containing xylitol have caused liver failure and in a small number of instances death 3. Based on this report, it is advisable for pet owners to avoid giving their dogs’ xylitol containing treats.

Foods containing sugar alcohols are increasingly available due to the trend in diet, low carb and diabetic foods. Based on the research completed to write this article sugar alcohols are not without issue. Consumers, particularly diabetics need to keep in mind total daily consumption of sugar alcohols and those experiencing ongoing digestive upset would do well to completely eliminate them from their diets. Of course, sugar alcohols are definitely out for dogs and possibly other pets as well.

Finally, while sugar may be responsible or partially so for many of modern society’s health complaints, it is a natural substance that we have been consuming for thousands of years. While we eat far too much of it, sugar is part of our evolutionary history. On the other hand sugar alcohols have only been used in recent times. The effects of long term use, beneficial or otherwise are not known. As such, moderation is recommended when including sugar alcohols as part of your diet.

Ananda Mahony ND is a naturopath and holistic skin specialist. Her practice focuses on the treatment of skin conditions and Food As Medicine. Ananda also owns Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care, a natural & organic skin care store in Paddington. www.vitalenatural.com.au

References:
1 American Diabetes Association. Nutrition principles and recommendations in diabetes-Position Statement. Diabetes Care, Jan.2004.

2 Powers M. American Dietetic Association Guide to Eating Right When You Have Diabetes. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2003:130,139

3. Stevens KL. 2007. Dog Watch. Sugar-free treats: a danger? Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar substitute, isn't safe for your dog. Be careful of feeding him snacks that might contain it. Viewed at Really Long Link on 10th February 2007.

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Sugar Alcohols - can they really claim to include "no sugar" (LINK)

March 28th 2008 06:55
A minor problem arises when foods containing sugar alcohols claim to be “sugar-free” or “low-sugar”. While technically correct, consumers may assume that the food will therefore have little or no impact on blood sugars. As discussed in the last blog, sugar alcohols reduce the energy density of foods and therefore have less impact on blood sugars however, there is still some impact which diabetics need to take into account. It is considered safe to assume that sugar alcohols will have approximately half the impact of sugar on blood sugar levels 1.

Due to the incomplete digestion and absorption, a portion of the sugar alcohol remains in the gut. This can lead to fermentation by bacteria in the intestine and issues such as bloating and excess. Additionally, sugar alcohols hold a lot of water in the bowel and for this reason they may cause diarrhoea. Manufacturers state that this effect is usually an initial response and that increased tolerance usually comes with repeat consumption. However, with some consumers, digestive issues may be an ongoing issue.

An important factor that needs to be taken into account is the total daily consumption of sugar alcohols. Over a day it is likely to be the total quantity consumed that impacting on blood sugar levels and the digestive system with greater quantities more likely to cause side effects. The American Diabetic Association advises a warning “may cause diarrhoea: on quantities higher than 50g/day for sorbitol and 20g/day for mannitol 2.

Broken into categories based on chemical structure, there are 3 types of polyols: sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol are derived from monosaccharides, isomalt, lactitol and maltitol are disaccharide derived and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH) are derived from polysaccharides. In the next blog, I will outline the details of a few commonly used sugar alcohols.
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Sugar Alchols - are they really as good as they sound? (LINK)

March 27th 2008 06:54
Sugar Alcohols

“Sugar-free, low sugar, zero sugar”. These are marketing claims seen on many packaged foods such as yoghurt, lollies, chewing gum, biscuits and diet foods promoted as “health” foods due to their low sugar content. The question is how can these foods have a sweet taste and yet contain little or no sugar and no artificial sweeteners? In a market that is more health savvy, sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol are commonly being used in foods to replace sugar and artificial sweeteners


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Heal Dehydrated Skin - Part 3 (LINK)

March 6th 2008 08:31
The final installment of "Heal Dehydrated Skin"........Most cosmetic products on the market don’t actually help the skin repair damage to the barrier or acid mantle. They act as emollients, reducing water loss from the skin by covering it with a protective layer. Effectively they keep water in the skin. Common emollient ingredients include butters, waxes and oils as well as products such as petroleum and lanolin. While emollients are helping to reduce the problem, they aren’t actually remedying the underlying cause. The other issue with some emollient ingredients is that they may actually cause more problems.

Petroleum products such as mineral oil sit on the surface of the skin, stopping the skin from breathing and have the potential to block pores. By contrast natural waxes and oils allow the skin to breath. Some of the heavier waxes or butters may still block pores however natural carrier and essential oils are unlikely to have this effect


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Heal Dehydrated Skin - Part 2 (LINK)

March 5th 2008 08:30
Following on from Part 1......Skin dehydration occurs when the water and oils that form part of the protective layer are out of balance. This can happen for a number of reasons:

1. Evaporation of moisture through the skin. Factors that promote moisture evaporation include dry air (ie lack of humidity or airconditioning), wind, prolonged water exposure (swimming in pools or long showers


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Heal Dehydrated Skin (LINK)

March 2nd 2008 08:19
If your skin lacks radiance and feels "tight" it is likely that it is dehydrated. The appearance of fine lines due to loss of elasticity and flexibility are other key signs of dehydrated skin. Moisture evaporates readily through the skin, and if we don't stop this occurrence our skin looses its ability to protect against the outside environment leading to even more moisture loss and in the long term, actual skin damage due to poor cellular integrity.

Wind, sun and pollution as well as internal factors such as diet, nutrient levels and genes all play a role in the determining the health of our skin as an effective barrier. The very outer layer of our epidermis (top skin layer) is the real protective layer of the skin. It is made up of flattened dead keratinocytes. These dead skin cells are regularly shed and replaced by deeper skin layers moving up to the surface. The glue that keeps the keratinocytes together is formed by lipids such as fatty acids ceramides and cholesterol. This layer forms a waterproof barrier that reduces "Trans Epidermal Water Loss" or TEWL, ensuring adequate moisture content for the skin. It is this barrier that protects against chemicals, irritants and micro-organisms. A deficiency in these epidermal lipids causes the water retention powers of the epidermis to be significantly reduced. Moisture evaporation and skin dehydration generally follow


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Create Skin Care Goals (LINK)

March 1st 2008 08:16
Goal setting is an interesting idea in relation to skin care. I mean how does one set skin care goals? Well to answer this question I ask myself these three questions:

1. how do I want my skin to look now
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